Megumi-Oni wrote:Check out this thread.
I don't like how these people think they're doing advocacy a favor by saying "yeah, my dog's gonna attack something so I avoid social contact all together and carry a break stick."
I'm like... WTF!... really? How can you advocate for something you're not willing to put out in public? How is the public supposed to feel better about the breed, and believe in the advocacy, if you're too scared to bring the animal TO THE PUBLIC!!??
Someone please tell me I'm not crazy before I explode.
DemoDick wrote:
I think you should probably look around this particular forum before you try to advocate bringing Pit Bulls into social situations with other dogs. There is a wealth of information from very experienced, intelligent people here, and it would be a shame for it to go to waste.
Demo Dick
I don't like how these people think they're doing advocacy a favor by saying "yeah, my dog's gonna attack something so I avoid social contact all together and carry a break stick."
Megumi-Oni wrote: How is the public supposed to feel better about the breed, and believe in the advocacy, if you're too scared to bring the animal TO THE PUBLIC!!??
Dan+Bec13 wrote:I'm not trying to stir up anything here
Megumi-Oni wrote:Yeah... I know. See, that's the point everyone keeps missing. I'm not immediately and blindly bringing Megumi to a park. I have very slowly and cautiously introduced her, little bits at a time, to the park. Over time we have built a relationship of trust and understanding with the community there.
We've spent the last 6 months with this process, and coupled with proper care and training we've had excellent results. We use an accredited trainer, not some cookie cutter job. We're not ignorant or stupid with our dog.
Futhermore, Megumi is a boxer mix, and we can't confirm there's any APBT in her at all. She just looks like it, so we have to govern ourselves accordingly. It's the cautious approach we've chosen, rather than being another impulsive and irresponsible pet owner.
I feel like SPBR and pb-smiles is a bunch of people who say "don't be social because the dogs are dangerous!" Which is exactly the attitude I want to fight. It's very infuriating to see a proclaimed advocacy group take on that attitude and ridicule those who think differently.
With that said, I plan to continue my reading. Thanks for being real! So far...
Megumi-Oni wrote:While I hear what you're saying, I happen to disagree. I'm sorry, and I'll do so as politely as possible without blowing up.
I feel socialization is key to a dog's development. Regardless of breed. Yes, there are other people to be worried about. But, that's why I don't go to just any dog park. That's why I go to one where I know the people, and I trust their ability to help me prevent and break up any incident that happens. In situations where I feel I've lost that edge, I leave.
So, please. Don't think I'm being irresponsible or reckless. That's the mistake SPBR made when I discussed the topic over there. Let's just leave it be, because I believe in what I'm doing. I get all the proper and necessary training as needed, so I'm not just blindly going into things.
Megumi-Oni wrote:While I hear what you're saying, I happen to disagree. I'm sorry, and I'll do so as politely as possible without blowing up.
I feel socialization is key to a dog's development. Regardless of breed. Yes, there are other people to be worried about. But, that's why I don't go to just any dog park. That's why I go to one where I know the people, and I trust their ability to help me prevent and break up any incident that happens. In situations where I feel I've lost that edge, I leave.
So, please. Don't think I'm being irresponsible or reckless.
That's the mistake SPBR made when I discussed the topic over there. Let's just leave it be, because I believe in what I'm doing. I get all the proper and necessary training as needed, so I'm not just blindly going into things.
DemoDick wrote:... Murphy's Law-that ancestry will rear its head when you last expect and are least able to deal with it.
DemoDick wrote:Never said you were. I said it would be irresponsible for me to go to a dog park with my dog, as I am aware of the potential consequences. You are not being irresponsible, as you don't appear to fully understand what you are dealing with. In order to be irresponsible, one has to understand the ramifications of one's actions and act in a manner likely to cause harm. I don't think that applies to you.
pitbullmamaliz wrote:I think you're judging all of us as hiding our dogs away just because the majority of us choose not to go to dog parks. I think once you've hung around a bit (which I hope you do!) and gotten to know us all better you'll find that the vast majority of us LOVE taking our well-behaved dogs out in public and educating people. I take my dog as many places as possible with me. She's changed so many people's minds. But I also know my dog (and the breed) and I know that she's selectively reactive to other dogs. As I am unable to pinpoint exactly what type/style of dog sets her off, she doesn't get to meet other dogs out in public. Does that make me a bad owner because I don't train train train to the point where simple obedience over-rides her anxiety? Maybe. But I don't like everybody around me and I snark at other people, so I don't expect her to be more of a saint than I am!
Regardless, I don't think we're perpetuating the breed stereotypes when we encourage people to do their homework before getting this breed and realize that with the way pit bulls are viewed right now, all it takes is one person to say, "I was attacked!" when actually the dog just jumped on them, for BSL to get passed in a city. All it takes is one incident, ONE SIMPLE INCIDENT by a dog that prior to now has been 100% compliant. One incident and the rest of us can lose our rights as well.
TheRedQueen wrote:I'm curious to know how your fantastic dog park is set up...because I've never seen such a thing. I used to frequent dog parks, but realized that my dogs grew tired of the idiot dogs (and I was tired of the idiot owners) that stole their toys, humped them constantly, and body slammed them out of nowhere...etc. And these dogs of mine were not terrier/bully breeds/APBTs...these were hounds and herding dogs. The dogs I see having a good time at dog parks are usually goldens, labs, and boxers...the perpetual puppy dogs...that will play and wrestle with anything in the park.
That said, my guys (all of them), enjoy a rich social life...they have a steady stream of visitors at the house...who they can play with or not, they have playtime after classes twice a week, and they work with me all day...taking hikes and such with other dogs. They do NOT go to the dog park. They meet and play (if they desire) with small groups of dogs or individuals. Some of them don't get along well, so they don't get to play/hike/meet up with each other.
That said, I think in general terms, people think that dog-dog socialization is the most important thing in a puppy/dog's life. While it is important that they get socialized with other dogs (GOOD quality socialization...which is often not the case at dog parks)...socialization is more than that...and I constantly have to make sure my puppy raisers and puppy owners get this point in my puppy class. The puppies/dogs should be experiencing many different things under the umbrella of "Socialization"...new environments, new surfaces, new noises, new things to eat out of, new people, new animals, etc. The buzzword of socialization seems to be narrowly focused on dog-dog interaction. I talk to people all of the time with behavior issues with their 1-2 year old dogs...I ask how the socialization went as a puppy..."Oh, we met lots of dogs at the dog park!" I have clients right now that "Can't wait until the puppies are old enough for the dog park!"
I like a social dog...it's important in my household to get along with other dogs...but I don't think dog parks are the best way to go about it. I know people that swear by them...but they often have sporting dogs...
I see little difference in taking a dog to a park versus having play dates with different owners / dogs in a back yard someplace. In fact, by your argument, a dog park is a GREAT way to get something new each time and do exactly what you suggest
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