In support of Man’s Best Friend

I think it's important that children need to realise that a dog needs it's own space and, whilst not wanting them to be afraid of dogs, must learn that they do not attempt to stroke a dog without asking permission from the owner first. As much for the wellbeing of the dog as the child. Sometimes it's the cuter, more cuddly looking dogs that are more prone to snapping [eg Golden Cocker Spaniels a few years ago when they were very inbred]. I was only thinking this morning how absolutely perfect my Hattie is in every way; quiet, well behaved and not a bad bone in her body [ok I'm biased] But, apart from when some friends visited us with their dog, I can't remember the last time I stroked another dog; I'll speak to their owners and talk to the dog but I don't invade their space. I love meeting dog owners and discussing their dog's characteristics/temperament. Met a guy a few weeks ago with a Russian Black terrier; think I upset him a bit when I said I'd read that they can be snappy ; when I got home I googled it and it said they made wonderful family pets so I don't know where I got the information from [I think it was a show judge who said a Russian Black was the only dog that had ever bitten him].

Well I love dogs and am very happy for dogs off leads to come and say hello to me. I love seeing dogs loose on the beach or playing in the woods - they have such joie de vivre & delight in life, it is truly cheering in this anxious, overcrowded world. I also have my dog on the sofa next to me each evening and often talk to her in what other people might consider a silly way...no apologies. Dogs give endless joy, pleasure & companionship to their owners. I also think it's a mistake for children to be taught to be frightened of dogs, & am always pleased when I see a friendly dog or puppy at the school gates. Common sense should tell you when to be cautious around dogs, and children can be taught a few basic rules to follow, as advised by the Dog's Trust.

I have 3 dogs , 2 are Canine Concern registered care dogs,(2 black dogs) , we visit care homes and residents get so much pleasure from their visits , so do the dogs,
But sadly it seems nowdays there are a large number of dog owners who seem to let their dogs behave badly in the house and outside, i belong to a dog training club and we are seeing an increase of dogs coming to club with "issues" if only people would train with their dogs from a young age or as soon as they get them if older alot of the problems could be sorted and the general public would not have so many reasons to complain about dog behaviour, all 3 of my dogs are rescues and have all attended training classes with me, Happy trained dogs and owners makes a far better partnership.

Posters who have criticised dog owners for not controlling their dogs are not being "hysterical" - they are being perfectly reasonable.

Ilove dogs cannot resist a doggy grin and waggy tail ...havent one of our own now sadly.

I love my dog, black lab, but I respect others and have always taught my dogs to not jump up or harass others and if I thought for a minute someone was scared I would call him off but he is a free individual and I am confident that I am a good owner and my dog comforts the elderly I work with as well as my disabled grandson, I know they are not for all but if loved and trained they are brilliant

I read the other thread Anya and didn't respond as I felt the same as you. OK I accept some people simply don't like dogs for whatever reason (and no reason they should) but to suggest dogs should all be labelled the same and restricted to their own back gardens for exercise is completely OTT imo! How would dogs ever socialise then? It would be psychologically damaging and could result in dogs actually becoming 'dangerous' as they wouldn't know how to behave at all!

I do agree that there are an element of dog owners who are irresponsible (I detest those who refuse to pick up after their pets) but I walk with lots of other dogs in our local park and all of them check their dogs, pick up poo and keep away from the children's play areas. We enjoy our dogs and the dogs enjoy their lives.

I did chuckle a bit though remembering my childhood. Nowadays you never see dogs out on their own (unless they have escaped) I remember dogs were often let out in a morning (on their own) and came back when they felt like it! It wasn't unusual to see dozens of dogs on the common of every shape, size and colour! Funny but I don't ever remember anyone being attacked? Not that I would like to return to those days....just comparing the situations of then and now.

I love dogs !

I hate bad owners ! They come in all sorts... the ones who don’t bother to train their dogs, the ones with no respect for others, the ones who don’t clean up after their dogs and the ones who buy a breed totally wrong for them and then bemoan the ‘bad dog’ when it does exactly what is expected of the breed!

My Bernese were PAT dogs too Anya , weighing in at 10 stone a piece , I took them regularly to the local infant school for lessons in good dog ownership , dog behaviour and familiarisation . I suspect that would be banned now for ‘elf and safety’ reasons.

The children loved the visits. Timid children learnt how to be safe around dogs and how to understand and respect these big old things. It was a joy to see.

I for one cannot think of a world without mans best friend ( even if my current best friends snoring is driving me nuts ! )

Yes I absolutely agree lucky and have said so on the other thread.

I absolutely understand why folk enjoy their dogs and am delighted that they enjoy them..

What the other thread is trying to say is that owners of dogs must take full responsibility for how those dogs impinge on others. It is absolutely not the responsibility of others to learn to love dogs; it is the responsibility of the owners to make sure that their dogs do not adversely affect other people.

Simple!

I have posted on the other threads commiserating with those who have a phobia of dogs.

Now for balance I would like to post on here in support of dogs.

I have an 8 year old Cairn terrier having lived with us since he was 10 weeks old. He is utterly loyal, gentle and bonded. He is a constant companion who having spent time studying us knows our routine and moods and responds accordingly.
He has never bitten or indeed challenged us or a stranger, and adores children.

He is perfect

A good point, Anya. I know I wrote on another thread about being confronted by hostile dogs, but this is in the french countryside where dogs are mostly kept as guard dogs so are running free. No sign of the owners. Or else hunting dogs which are chained up, or shut up in a barn most of the time.
But to balance that, there are huge areas of woodland paths, and harvested fields where dogs can run free.
This is what, it seems to me, is missing in the UK, where there's a shortage of open spaces. Even on the coast, where someone mentioned dogs aren't even allowed to run along the sand and into the sea if they want to.
As we're probably coming back to the UK I'm relieved in a way that our old bc can no longer walk far. It doesn't seem to be kind to keep a dog in some urban surroundings.

lemongrove sadly its more than that when people are suggesting that all dogs should be kept on leads all the time and muzzled when out of doors.

Dogs are faithful companions and I agree it's distressing to see so many awful stories and films about abuse - about any animals. It's definitely down to bad ownership if a dog is badly behaved but it doesn't detract from the real fear some people experience when they are confronted with a barking, bouncing, excited dog. We've had several rescue dogs over the years and all have been loving and much loved but even I started the other day when one came flying to the gate barking and jumping up and down as I passed by!

Anya I like dogs, but think the other threads are about the behaviour of dog owners, rather than finding fault with the actual dogs.It is certainly the case with me.
I suppose there may just be some horrible ones, but mainly it’s the lack of responsibility on the part of humans.
Failure to pick up doggy doings, failure to put the dog on a lead near children, failure to call their pets to heel.
I would have a dog tomorrow were it possible though.