Quote From: mvanbruggeI have to say that much of what I'm reading is simply not backed up by science and statistics.
Yes, all animals (including humans) are somewhat unpredictable. However, as someone else alluded to, past behaviour predicts future behaviour.
Given that over 99% of dogs will never be involved in an attack at any time in their lives, that suggests nearly all dogs are relatively safe to be around. When we combine that with proper training and supervision, that significantly reduces the likelihood of inappropriate behavior.
Dogs that bite have almost always behaved aggressively in the past (with the exception of some medically detectable conditions).
It is pure myth that "some dogs just snap". I have not researched a single dog attack case where the dog did not have a known history of menacing barking, growling, lunging, or attempted bites. Most dog owners deny their dogs' aggressive behaviour...which is actually likely the reason the aggressive behaviour was allowed to progress to the point of biting, in the first place. What does Dr. Phil say? "You can't change what you don't acknowledge." Denying or minimizing the escalating aggressive behaviour in your dog is a recipe for disaster.
In any event, let's stop making negative generalizations about all dogs, when we're really just discussing this one case of irresponsible dog ownership.
In this case, the dog's poor training led to the bite. Merely avoiding the situation (i.e. isolating the dog) guarantees the dog will be no less likely to bite, a year from now. The ONLY way to correct aggressive behaviour is active re-training and re-socialization. Avoidance, management, and other evasive ideologies do nothing to redirect the dog's inappropriate behaviour.
This dog can be re-trained. Will they do it? Probably not. Most owners of aggressive dogs don't bother to properly re-train them. Many choose to isolate the dog 'til its behaviour gets worse (due to the isolation) at which point they choose to dump the dog on someone else, or kill it. Often, a second or third bite is needed before these kinds of people are willing to make these decisions.
If the dog had just been properly raised, trained, socialized, and supervised, it would never have bitten. The very best example parents can set for their children is responsible pet ownership. This prevents bites, in the first place. Should a bite occur, the best example is to do everything possible to re-train the dog, even if it means personal or financial sacrifice. This teaches children that dogs are worthy of sacrifice, and that we don't just give up on family members. If, after seeking professional assistance, and doing everything they can, the owner is still unable or incapable of re-training the dog to live safely in the home, then the owner must make the difficult decision to either re-home the dog with a competent individual, or have it humanely destroyed. While the latter is not the best lesson to teach children, it is far better than teaching children it is okay to relegate an innocent, social animal to a life alone, in a cage, or in the yard.
Dal's can't be kept in a cage or a yard. They need the interaction. I am not saying that other dog can be kept that way. What I am saying is that I know Dal's to need a lot of attention. My Dal is with me from the moment that I get home until I leave. They crave the love and affection. However the professionals told us to crate train our dogs until they were trained. Unless we have company their crate doors are always open they choose when to go to them and they do. Sometimes it is like ok I have had enough people time or I can't get comfortable and they lie in their creates. I don't think this guy is a bad pet owner I just think he didn't realize it would happen. Hind site is 20/20 I can look back and pull apart every move my Dal made before he bit and say "OH I should have seen this coming." I prefer to look to the future and find the answers I need to make sure it doesn't happen again. Thats what this family needs to do. Find what works best for them and bring the dogs home.
(Original Air Date: 01/25/06) Have you ever found yourself in a bizarre situation? Do you think the people around you are acting unusual, and you want to know why? Dr. Phil helps his guests distinguish what's normal and what's not. First up, Lynette doesn't think it's normal for her 78-year-old father, Forrest, to want to be a country music star. Forrest feels like his daughter is discriminating against him because he's old. Then, Suzie says her husband, Steve, won't get rid of the family dog -- even though it recently bit their baby girl in the face, and she had to be rushed to the hospital! Steve wants to know if he's crazy for wanting the dog back in the house. Plus, a guest says she's able to see into the future and wants to know if she should alert her friends to the visions she has about them. Share your thoughts.
