Dog attack

[Ann, John JJ and Kyle]

John had been down with the boys on Monday pm going round the loch, fortunately they did not witnesss the attack. Nor did they see any pointers. Human or otherwise. Today whilst out walking at the back of Strathclyde playing fields , on the other side of the road from the Loch we saw 5 deer all very close, probably just a matter of time until the incident repeats itself, unfortunately. Can only agree with Jim too many people open the door and let the dog fend for themselves- no pack leader to direct there energy. As on other thread more education required for dog owners who don't seem to know better and help protect the reputation of those of us who are trying with our dogs. Knowing the aggression that Dexter is attracting just now I would hate to meet this dog when we were out walking particularly if I was with the kids and Dexter was off leash.

[kirsty]

I have to point out that no one would question 'could a gsd, would a gsd be capable of this'

Why would a pointer not be capable of this...they are dogs, they are fairly large strong dogs.

Any dog is capable of animal behavior.. Regardless of how well trained your dog is....you will never completely remove the wolf from the dog!
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"In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog."

[Jim & Geraldine]

Unfortunately Jack pups are easy to come by and if your dog disappears you can always get another from someone who has a bitch that has had pups that is where we got Buster from his poor mum has a litter every time she comes into season and he is one of ten in his litter and I know of at least three of his litter mates that are on to their third or fourth home

[Jack]

Agreed dogs are TOO easy to come by that's why I think MUCH tighter controls need to be introduced all round. People who persistently allow their dogs to stray WILL become known and SHOULD have penalties imposed to try and eradicate the problem.
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[Gordon]

There should definately be tighter controls on dog ownership. it should be compulsary for owners to go to a puppy class to have basic training and understanding of dog issues.
There are owners that think their dog is perfect and would never do anything wrong, its always the other dog at fault. Which I think we all know that is not true.
Once dog owners start to look at situation and think "why" did that happen, and look at the situation instead of blaming anyone, then we will get better owners.
No dog is perfect.

[Gordon]

Since i'm on my high horse at moment I'll also add, that if someone gets a dog from a rescue centre there should be some sort of training that the dog and new owner have to go through. All dogs from rescue centres have some issues. Most are very minor, but you do get the ones that need a lot of help. That is why I take Bobby to training class.

[Jack]

Good call Gordon!!!

I plan on doing my bit for Rescue in the future but with 20 years of Staffie ownership, training AND previous Rescue experience under my belt I have to say I wouldn't take kindly to some whippersnapper trying to tell me about Staffs and their issues. So long as the trainer employed by the Rescue services is experienced and competent in specific breeds and issues I'd be all for it - Life is about living and learning after all
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[Corinne]

I usually find that Hogganfield loch is a good place to walk Hobbes and only a short distance from my house. In all fairness there are signs up at the park entrance to remind dog owners that dogs shouldn't be off lead here. However, i have never walked round the park and not saw a few dogs running about off lead. Quite often the owners are quite some distance ahead. Just my opinion here, but perhaps the dog wasn't completely to blame . . . i know from my experience with Hobbes if he thinks he can get away with something he will try it (not in a vicious way mind you). I'm just glad ican control Hobbes (except from at class )
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Corinne and Hobbes

[Jack]

I agree Corinne. As distasteful as it is, what happened, the dog was simply following it's own instincts. It is the OWNERS responsibility 100% to ensure that their dog acts in an acceptable manner. The owner clearly couldn't care less and so is 100% to blame for this - especially if they are allowing their dog to roam free and this wasn't a one off "accidental" incident.
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[Suzanne H]

Just caught on to this. It wisnae us!!!

In my experience, very few people know what a pointer is unless they either have one or know someone who does. And was it an English pointer, a German short haired, wire-haired or even a chocolate lab? I have seen one other GSP in North Lanarkshire in 2 years. Few people have them as pets outwith hunting, shooting, fishin brigade, and even then, they're take twice as long to train, so aren't the dog of choice.

But could Otto chase a deer. Oh yes. He wouldn't catch an adult, but could catch a young one easily. Would he kill it - I don't know. I doubt it. He's not an aggressive dog and they're not bred to kill their prey - I would imagine he'd probably chase it about a bit though.

But would I bet my life on him not doing it - no. He's a dog. to him, it's prey. And it's my responsibility to make sure he doesn't get the chance.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/columnists/lorraine_kelly/article2259493.ece

Put this on the giles coren thread - I think her point is a good one.

And as for it being a ned's dog - only when he's with Ian

[Suzanne H]

Mind you, does show the level of ignorance out there...as you say, the woman who asked if her Weimeraner was a pointer.

So chose the dog because it looks nice then, and did no research into what a dog like that was bred to do and what it needs out of life. Christ, I've got 3 GSP books and also did loads of research.

We knew exactly what we were getting and he is a textbook GSP.

That annoys me far more than media outcry - numpties who buy dogs and know nothing about them. Then don't train them to maximise (and limit) their natural instincts. Gives us all a bad name.

[Lorna]

My 2 Danes have brought a deer to me when loose down the glen. They did not attack it but they did herd it and keep it in front of me until I let it go while holding on to them. Not a good experience for the deer, but Danes will herd deer.

Like Jack, I would be reluctant to listen to someone tell me specifics about Danes after 40 odd years of dealing with them, unless they were experienced with the breed.

Whenever I home check for Scottish Great Dane Rescue, I am required to make the point of the need to take our dogs to training to ensure that the new owner is trained, if they do not have previous Dane experience. Even if they have had a Dane before, then we would advise training class in order to learn with this dog and to socialise the dog too.

It would be wonderful if all dog owners were required to go to training classes. However, the yob or stupid owners would be as likely to comply with this requirement as they are to any other.
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Regards,
Lorna, Basil & Poppy
Great Danes are not substitute children. They are much more important than that!