Hello Lee,
On Tue 2012-May-29 10:14, Lee Lofaso (3:800/432) wrote to Richard Webb:
RW>Yep, see that all over. People are scared of my
RW>Rottweiler. My Rottweiler is a good dog, but no, if you
RW>broke in here I couldn't guarantee your safety, or if
RW>she thought you threatened my lady.
LL> A responsible dog owner will make sure that no "accidents" happen.
LL> That is not to say that a burglar is safe from burglarizing a home
LL> where a dog sets the rules...
That's right, and I don't put her into positions where
accidents will happen. I understand her temperament, she's
loving and friendly, but might not know/understand where
limits are no matter how carefully trained she is. That's
why dog guide users are careful to tell folks that "when in
harness don't pet dog." Dog has to have the rule reinforced that in harness
means working. Play later.
>BK>All to many who want to own dogs considered dangerous are *NOT*
>BK>responsible.
RW>Indeed, and usually they own multiple animals and aren't
RW>that smart in either training the animals or interacting
RW>with them.
LL> The problem is, most folks who own pit bulls (and certain other
LL> large breeds) do so for illegal activities (dog fighting). The
LL> vocal cords of these dogs are usually cut so the dogs will not be
LL> able to make a sound when wounded in a fight. The dogs that are
LL> hurt too badly are usually either put down or set loose. As well as
LL> those dogs that are too old to continue fighting.
Indeed this si true, and most of these people aren't real
bright anyway. We adopted our first rottie off the streets
of New Orleans, when her original owner was gunned down she
was given to his cousin who fought pit bulls. When she
wouldn't fight he "gave her her freedom."
LL> That is not to say that pit bulls are "bad" animals. They can be
LL> excellent pets, as long as they are properly cared for and not
LL> abused. For example, President Teddy Roosevelt had a pit bull that
LL> he kept in the White House, the dog being well-mannered around
LL> guests.
INdeed, I've known some well behaved pitbulls, their owners
are usually people of intelligence who properly trained the
dog.
LL> Any dog can be abused and made into a vicious animal, including a
LL> chihuahua. It is people who raise a dog to be what it is. With
LL> rare exception, dogs (regardless of breed) that are properly trained
LL> are not a problem. Each breed does have a different temperament,
LL> and each dog is unique. But responsible owners of those dogs take
LL> that into account.
Indeed they do, and it's the irresponsible ones who give
certain breeds undeserved reputations.
RW>My rottie could take your arm off with one bite no doubt.
LL> Rottweillers are an old breed, used extensively by Romans.
LL> Just because they have the physical ability to eat you alive does
LL> not mean they cannot be trained to serve man.
MIne is very good. If Kathy's blood sugar goes wacky in the middle of the
night, she wakes Kathy. if the electricity
goes off and the oxygen concentrator no longer pushes air
into her nose and i need to switch Kathy to a tank, the
Rottweiler wakes me. They were bred to be mountain herding
dogs.
RW>YEs I play and rough house with her a bit, but I'm also
RW>very cautious how I play and rough house with her. Just the
RW>other day I threw away one of those rope pull toys because
RW>she'd unraveled both ends. Playing "tug o war" with her
RW>using it would have endangered me. I'll get her another at
RW>the store, but that one was no longer a safe toy, for
RW>neither of us.
LL> It is the ball that dogs go nuts over. Any ball. As long
LL> as the dog can pick it up with its mouth. Used with discretion, the
LL> dog can be trained to do *anything* an owner wants. The ball is an
LL> even better reward than a bone. Really. I kid you not.
Indeed, play is a reward, as well as a way to "blow off
steam" and we use it as such.
Regards,
Richard
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