Things I Hate...

Takeaway Leaflet delivers.

I've got a 10 year old rottweiler and he gets a bit fractious (always has) with post or leaflets. Up to now, after 10 years of having him (trained him intensively as a pup) he has not hurt, maimed or mauled any human or animal.

Last Sunday someone put a leaflet through my door and in my typical bitter anger I went outside to tell the person 'could you not see the no leaflet sign' etc. Well my rottweiler managed to get out aswell and gave the bloke a scare.

Is was actually the small 3yo girl dog i've got who also escaped that nipped him (she is crackers, got her from a battered dogs home but is just a little rascal). Anyway I quickly got the pair of them, told the man to get a tetnis injection for the tiny cut on his finger, helped pick his leaflets up and apologised for accidently letting my dogs out into the drive. It was my fault as I was hungover and should have realised.

He obviously rang the police, I got cautioned and both my dogs were in danger terrority for being put down. Obviously now there are so many stupid idiots breeding fighting dogs people like me, law abiding citizens who happen to love our dogs, regardless of reputation or stigma, end up paying the price.

My house is my house for a reason, and if people think they have a divine right to post rubbish through my door then that is a sign of the times in my mind. It was my fault, but at the same time he breached my right as a homeowner in his own small and in his mind 'irrelvent' way, which then leads to something bigger.

As soon as I make enough money I fucking right off out of this country. Somewhere in the Carribean sounds nice.
 
Maybe you should learn to chill out-someone trying to earn a few quid delivering
leaflets doesn't need a "scare" from a Rottweiler.
 
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Martin, if I could offer a word: might be an idea to put up a BEWARE - DOGS ON PREMISES sign as some people do. Along with your NO COLD CALLERS, NO LEAFLETS, NO UNAUTHORISED VISITORS notices, too! Actually, when I lived in Staffordshire, I was surprised by the amount of signage the police supplied to householders to keep 'visitors' at bay. It didn't look very welcoming, walking along streets with 'we do not accept XXX' signs, but if you do have dogs that can be mistaken for tough guys, it's just a thought. Then anyone who does wander in does so on their own recognisance. And if you have gates, keep them shut, so they are trespassing if they do.
 
Jesus, Martin - as Luke says, chill out a bit! I think you were very lucky to get away with not having the bitch who bit the guy put down; I feel strongly that dogs who bite people should be put down as soon as possible, before they do it again and possibly injure someone badly. Let's face it, it was your fault that your dogs got out and and the guy got bitten and badly scared - all for the sake of moaning over a poxy leaflet. Get a grip!
 
But what's the position if you decide to ignore a 'no leaflets' request from a householder, and persist in shoving them through the letterbox? Can they call it harrassment? It might be that the resident is very elderly and doesn't want the disturbance. If you put up a sign saying 'no callers at any time without prior appointment', for example, and people without appointments insist on coming to your door, haven't you given them fair warning they're not welcome? In other words, whatever happens, on their head be it?
 
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Delivering leaflets is perfectly legal.
I came face to face with a Rottweiler early one morning on a beach and it put the fear of God into me.
 
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Walking my brother's little hound in a park in Gloucester the other day and got stuck between a pit bull and a boxer who were squaring up to each other - scary.

The pit bull was a friendly chap and had belted over to say "hello" to Bonny, but Benji, the boxer, took exception and tried to see him off - with me in the middle.

Two powerfully built dogs and generally friendly - but not to each other. Had to do a bit of nifty footwork to keep from getting between them, not helped by the pit bull, who was trying to say "hello" to me whilst Benji kept moving around me to keep him in sight.

Not a pleasant few moments.
 
The only dog (so far) to bite me was a yellow Labrador. Belonged to an aunt and uncle and all I did was walk past her as she lay on the hearthside rug. Charming, I'm sure. Give me a Rottie or Staffy any day - they're sweet as puddings, unless tormented into aggressive behaviour by idiotic men with feelings of inadequacy.
 
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Well, it's all about intent, isn't it? If the dog looks friendly - and God knows enough Rotties are the best guardians of small kids - then there's no reason to do anything other than keep walking on, naturally, not paying it any attention. If it approaches you growling and slavering, it's best to stand still and not make eye contact. Just look away - don't try to run! Same for any dog you don't know and which isn't making its intention clear - wagging tails are the best signal that the approach is friendly, up for a game, in a good mood. But I never touch a dog I don't know without its owner's permission, and even then I offer the back of my hand to sniff first. Assuming neutrality and not staring the dog down is generally the best defence if you feel threatened. Start staring at it, and you get into a pissing contest of authority which the dog will be determined to win.
 
Don't get me wrong, Krizon - I live Rotties and they don't scare me. I can however see how they can scare people, they are big dogs and incredibly strong and of course, their reputation brought about by idiots breeding/keeping a minority of the Rottweiler population for dubious purposes is well known.

In this instance, regardless of whether or not there was a sign up saying 'no leaflets' and regardless or not of whether or not the sign was ignored, the fact is that Martin says he opened the door to have a go at said guy delivering leaflets and very irresponsibly let both of his dogs rush out - one of which being a Rottweiler and the other being, in his own words, "crackers" - and at the man, who, fairly predictably, was scared at a 'crackers' dog and a Rottweiler rushing him, not least when one of them bit him! As Luke says, the poor man wasn't breaking the law, he was doing a job, no matter how irritating his carrying out of his job may be to some people.
 
As you say, Martin - this was entirely your fault but one word of warning - if you have, as you say, a 'crackers' dog then you must at all times be ultra careful how you yourself act with other people - you're their pack leader after all and if you're agressive, so will your dogs be and you will not a leg to stand on with regard to any anti-social behaviour that follows.

I'm with SL on this one - any dog that shows overt agression and bites people gets a one-way ticket. You might be hungover and shouting at some kid chucking stones over the garden fence next and it's not rocket science to see that if your dogs are with you, that the kid may end up badly bitten.

Get rid.

Or take them to the Caribbean with you. Soon.
 
If you know your dog's a bit cranky, you need to warn people of its presence, thus you should put up signs. Letting it out - and it isn't accidental, because anyone can shut a dog behind a door before speaking to a leafletter or whoever's on the premises - if you know it's quite likely to nip someone, is not fair on the animal. Obviously it can be destroyed if you're prosecuted for having a dangerous animal, and it's only your own fault, not the dog's, who is the victim.

I would still stick up some signs, keep my gate closed, and make sure the dog was de-trained of the nipping habit pronto. And either keep it muzzled when it's around other people, in a separate room, or give it to someone who'll train it properly.

I'm not one for immediately killing dogs that bite, any more than I'd have a biting or kicking horse shot, and most of us have been double-barrelled at least once by those without calling for the Rohypnol, and badly ripped by cats, if not bitten as well. I'd like to know what made them bite - sometimes they react to pain by snapping at the nearest creature - you'd hardly be destroying that animal. And if it's aggressive, it is possible that it might be carefully de-trained by the right person. Aggression's only a reaction to something - usually fear. Find out why the dog is fearful and reacting aggressively, instead of whimpering under the bed, and if it can be helped, then do so.
 
Thanks everyone for giving your opinion. I will do everything in my power to prevent the girl dog doing something silly (or dangerous) again as she will be put down. It was my fault for taking her out of a rescue dogs home.

As for the rottie, he never touched the man because obviously as knowledgeable as you all are, you would know if he had bitten the man he would have been put down straight away. As it goes his hips are going now anyway so there's one dangerous dog (not) out the way.

Ten years, the loyalist, funniest dog I've ever had. I won't get another rottweiler as I know they are big black beasts that scare people.

I've always been of the view a dog is for life not just for christmas. That said, I see more and more law abiding and sensible people buying rottweilers and at least I know I've did my part over the last 10 years to preserve an ancient, loyal and strong breed of dog.

I once had a sheep dog btw I'm not turned on by dangerous dogs.
 
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You say that Martin, but having been a border collie keeper for many years now I know that they can often be dangerous as they can be neurotic and a bit highly strung, so I guess that makes me a dangerous dog owner as well :D

Kri, the point with a dog that bites (as opposed to a horse that has kicked, or bitten) is that often once a dog has bitten and tasted blood, it can develop a taste for it and want to do it again.
 
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PS, I know I am a man with great deficiencies, but I only went out to speak to the man not 'have a rant'. I did close the door but on this occasion they got out.

I am not a 'bad man'. I have been through things in my life none of you would care or need to know about. Infact I am such a slow retarded dunce I am now off to speak to the highest authority in the local borough about issues that again, you lot wouldn't have the balls or intelligence to know a thing about.

bye.:ninja:
 
Come on, Shadz! Develops a taste for blood? What dog of any species doesn't expect to taste blood? They're carnivores, not vegetarians, so they are quite happy to taste blood. Ours used to taste blood quite often as they got raw beef bones full of marrow to gnash on. They ate chunks of cooked beef which we prepared in the kitchen for them and the only prepared foods they got were dog biscuits (and very tasty they were, too!). Our dogs were more than used to the smell and taste of blood, yet never attacked anyone or anything. Perhaps feeding them commercially prepared meals (like human ready meals) where there's no resemblance to their traditional fare has them raving for a bit more taste of blood! I can only take so much pasta before I'm desperate for a rare steak, so God knows how they feel, faced with another bowl of herbal glop!

And horses which bite and kick will continue to bite and kick, unless you bash 'em into submission, as they're natural attack/defence mechanisms, just like a dog biting or a cat scratching. Jeez, we sure want our animals sterile, don't we? Unfortunately, there are so many damn-fool rules in this country that I suppose if a knife-toting rapist burst into your house and your dog protectively savaged him, you'd be in court for causing him ABH and emotional trauma.
 
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Honestly Kri, once a dog has bitten someone and got a taste for it, more often than not they will do it again, probably more than once. Dogs that bite people are just not worth the risk, not least when they could maul a kid next time around, as we've seen reports of on all too many occasions.

As for the horses which bite and kick - damn right they get bashed into submission!!! :D
 
Shadow, what is your definition of a bite though? Going back to rottweilers, big male dogs often appear to fight if they accidently meet when off the lead.

The fact is though, as Krizon aludes to, often they are not really 'fighting'.

They are wrestling and will stop when an owner with some balls is prepared to break the rumble up as I have always done. NEVER a problem.

Unfortunately over the years I have actually had to let my rottweiler off the lead, and if he see's another big male he is inclined to 'fight'.

Should I have put him down the day he was born?

I would constitute a real fight to be where blood appears and an owner does nothing for about 2 hours.

In the few accidental 'fights' my rottweiler has had with staffs, charpe's, Akita's etc. Not once has blood ever appeared on either dog, because the vast majority of owners who take on big dogs know they are liable to rumble and stop them straight away.

He's lived like the brave, loyal dog he is. I am going to the vets in Sunderland on Thursday and he might have to be put down because of his hips.

He's never hurt anyone, so please do not lecture me about rottweilers.

Again, if offended by this post please get a rottweiler from a reputable breeder and after 10 years tell me if your experience is any different. Of course there are dangerous rotties, but there's also one's like the one in the news recently who stopped a sex attacker raping a woman while roaming the park.

Would I get a rottweiler if I had a young child, NO.

Do I think a rottweiler or any other dog should be put down if 'biting' seriously, YES.

Do I think a dog who has had one small psychotic episode should be put down NO.

My girl basenji obviuolsy has to watch her behaviour, or I will have to put her down.
 
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I used to do odd jobs like market research, census etc, and the only dogs that I wouldn't go past were Jack Russells [the only dog to have bitten me] and border collies. I love border collies and if I knew I had to time to keep one physically and mentally [most important] exercised I'd have one like a shot, but they're a bit like parrots, a 24/7 commitment. The worst dogs in recent yearsfor biting have been golden cocker spaniels [I used to breed blue roans]. They were so inbred to get the colour that @ 1/14 were put down becuase they were so snappy and dangerous, and, because they looked so cute people would just go up to them to pet them. Think the problem is over now, though. Also love Dobermanns [remember when they were a dirty word?]. Would I go into a garden that had a rottweiler in..I think not, but I've got no problem with them as a breed, lovely dogs if from the right breeding line, but terrifyingly strong. And I certainly wouldn't go near a chihuahua...
 
We have owned big dogs and our two boys grew up with them. Never a nipindeed there was one instance when my youngest bit the the dog. The dog's reaction was to get up ,look at the boy with disgust and move to another part of the room.

My youngest was attacked by a Rottweiler whilst walking the dog, The Rot had got out from a house where he was left in the garden. Fortunately a builder friend who knows us was driving by and drove the dog off with a few whacks from a hefty piece of wood. My reaction was to impose a set of conditions on the owner which I ensured wre complied with. The problem was the owner not the dog.

If you own a big dog you have responsibilities and whilst one of our dogs would frighten off most strangers who entered our drive some still came to the door, which is why we have double front doors, to prevent the dogs gtting out. Like Martin I have still unfortunately let the dog out on occasion but scared double glazing salesmen I can live with, the dog didn't bite.

To the contrary as a young paper boy and now when I deliver political leaflets I have frequently been " nipped " by little dogs that" wouldn't hurt a fly". Do such dogs deserve to be put down because they have drawn (or tasted ) blood. I feel a swift kick or punch on the nose is probably enough to make them be a little more careful in future. Either that or the owners might decide to be more responsible.
 
Martin, did you read anything I put? Where did I "lecture you about Rottweilers" ? I in fact stated that I like them, I am not about to lecture anybody on keeping them as pets. However, all Rottweiler owners must be well aware of their 1) public perception 2) strength and 3) unfortunate statistics where animals who were brought up by irresponsible morons have attacked people, sometimes resulting in their [the human's] death.

Also, I was talking about dogs biting HUMANS, not play fighting with other dogs in the park - there is a big difference, you know. I cannot believe that you'd step inbetween two fighting dogs, let alone two big, strong, traditionally fighting dogs - nine times out of ten, you'd end up getting bitten yourself. Several times I've seen blood pouring from the wounds incurred by owners of dogs stepping inbetween their OWN two dogs fighting, and getting caught in the crossfire, through no intentions of the animals themselves.

Ok, the distinction remains between what sort of misdemeanour a dog should step into the territory where it may be in danger of being put down. I admit that for a nip, that is probably excessive - but we only have the owner's word that it was a 'nip' so where do you draw the lines? I do believe that a person is within their rights to demand that an animal be put down if it has bitten them though - much the same as a farmer is quite within his rights to shoot a dog for hassling his livestock - so that in itself would strongly suggest that the injury incurred was just a nip. However, as I said in my initial post, you were lucky to get away with the injured party not insisting the animal be put down, especially as he reportedly called the police.

Incidentally, are Japanese Akitas not illegal to keep in this country? How many has your Rottweiler come across, in that case?!
 
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