Quote:
Originally Posted by pylon
If my dog got taken out for nipping at a big dog, I would be pissed, but it is also the law of the jungle per se. I have also seen 80 pound dogs submit to mine as well, what goes through their mind.. who knows? But it is unreasonable to think it is A-OK for big dogs to be mauling and killing smaller dogs unprovoked. And I have witnessed a Pit Bull do exactly that. Walked by non-nonchalantly, and BAM! Dead dog, and a devastated owner.
Howver, the debate here isn't dog on dog violence however. It is dogs on human. One of the luxuries of owning a small breed is the fact that they can run around at the park, or in your yard without the fear of it killing someone. 95% of the people that see Molly in a frantic sprint at them, crouch down to pet her with a smile on their face. And she happily obliges by stopping dead in her tracks, rolling over for some freebie tummy rubs. If it ever went sour, there is no risk of anyone getting more than a couple stitches, that is the only risk and I am willing to bear that risk, whether it makes me a bad dog owner or not.
That is not a luxury you have with a big dog, right or wrong. And there are just as many big breed owners that let their dogs act like total spazzes, as there is small breed owners. I have been wiped out by big dogs ripping it up at the dog park as well. I have had big muddy dogs jump up on my pants. It is something you have to be willing to accept to an extent at a dog park. But to say that all big breed owners are super responsible, is lame. It is like the same people that think "I drive a big truck, that makes me a better driver, because it is a big truck... look at my big truck... I got skillllz. Cause it's big" Look at your typical Pit or Rottie owner, most of them sare the last people that should be owning dogs, because they own them as a fashion accessory like their Affliction t-shirt, or their Giant 100mm Diesel watch.
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Owners like you are a part of the problem. Control your dog (I'm not suggesting your dog specifically I'm sure it behaves fine) , it's not ok that a small dog doesn't know how to properly act at a dog park.
I don't care if a dog is 5 pounds or 50 pounds if it goes around acting incorrectly biting other dogs and a bigger one defends itself it's on you as well.
As for a few stitches not being a big deal, tell that to the woman whose nose was disfigured by a shih tzu last year, she'll require 4 surgeries to fix it.
www.torontosun.com/2011/04/18/owner-charged-after-dog-bites-woman-nose-off
I own two english bulldogs and they have been attacked by a couple smaller dogs at the dog park (one time causing a pretty nasty cut. My dog could have easily defended herself and seriously hurt the other dog. I'm lucky she hasn't but it's hard for me to blame her if she did defend herself. She doesn't know her strength and if you have a small dog that can be aggressive and you take it off leash you're irresponsible.
My dog can be dominant from time to time (she's never bitten anything or tried to for that matter). Once in awhile she'll try and pin a dog. When I go to the park she's within 5 to 10 feet at all times, and if she starts showing signs of dominance I have her back on leash in seconds.
I also tend to keep her from smaller dogs if there are a few playing near her. Not because I think she'll attack but because every though she isn't a big dog she's stronger than 99% of dogs her size and while playing she'll steamroll dogs her height. (she's only about a foot tall but weighs 40lbs or so).
Luckily mine listen well so I haven't any issues with mine. It's one thing for a dog to submit to dominance but submitting to another dog attacking it is another. Most will defend themselves.
It's the responsibility of all owners to keep a close eye on their dog, know their dogs personality traits and ensure they are behaving properly.