Calgary toddler mauled in dog attack; owner flees

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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The one thing our dogs have very little training with, are small children. You should see Mukwa back away from little kids. It's as if he has no idea what they are, lol.

We're working on this.
 

Praxius

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Dec 18, 2007
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Pets are in a way like children.... in that they learn from their owners/parents. If a kid is allowed to do whatever the hell it wants because it screams and makes a scene otherwise, then guess how well they're going to turn out in society?

Same with a pet. If a pet is allowed to do whatever it wants because it's cute or the owner has a stereo-type in their mind on how that pet should look or behave (which is why they bought it or adopted it) then without any structure, boundaries or other means to show who is in charge, then both will end up out of control and eventually be a danger in one way or another to themselves, their parents/owners or those around them.

All the pets and animals I have been involved with over the years have had plenty of freedom, care and companionship to be healthy, happy and active and I never had to resort to beating, chaining up or treating them like some circus animal following commands. At the same time, they also knew who was in charge and they knew their limits.

They were rewarded greatly for good things, and punished accordingly for bad things.

The odd thing (well others think it is odd) is that 90% of all animals I deal with in my life, including most pets and animals owned by others, react and interact completely differently to me than they do to others, including their own owners.

The other 10% are animals that I can see right away before I get close that they're either wild or have had some really bad upbringing by their owners and I know the distance and reactions to give them to know how to not set them off.

My ex's rottweiler hated all her boyfriends in the past and would bark, growl and sometimes chase them. That dog only liked her and her father..... until I showed up one day. It barked and came running down the driveway at me and I just came down to her level, put my hand out for her to smell and take her time to figure me out, no fear given at all and within 5 mins she was following me everywhere and later in the evening, she was strung out over my lap getting her head rubbed while my ex and her father just looked on all dumbfounded.

The thing is, all the dogs I dealt with in the past also know I can easily take them down and immobilize them into a position that makes them very vulnerable, fearful (They don't get hurt in anyway, just put into a state of fear and weakness) and learn that they are no longer in control, regardless of strength or size. Two dogs at once? That's risky.... three or more? I'm screwed. But one on one, Dogs are easy to take down in a safe and non-harmful way.... with the only real possible risk to injury is a scratch to the hand (Which is far better than something being ripped by teeth)

If two or more dogs come at me to attack, the above won't work and I'll simply just have to resort to crippling or killing one or more of them to save my health and life or that of those around me.
 
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Twila

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Mar 26, 2003
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The one thing our dogs have very little training with, are small children. You should see Mukwa back away from little kids. It's as if he has no idea what they are, lol.

We're working on this.

Same with my schnauzer mix. But I suspect she's been hurt by kids before we adopted her. I expect she'd bite if she couldn't get away from a child. We're very careful. I don't trust little kids.
 

SLM

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Mar 5, 2011
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I would disagree. I don't think the size of a dog is any indication of the responsibility of the owner. I'd wager that more children are wary of a large breed dog over a small breed dog.

I don't mean responsibility as in caring for their pets, I mean responsibility as in making sure they have complete and utter control over the animal. And the size is not the indication in and of itself, I'm saying my experience has been that owners that have very small dogs allow their dogs to get away with behaviour that a larger dog wouldn't be allowed to get away with. For example, showing aggression (and I've head this on more than one occassion) from a small dog "Isn't that cute!", whereas with a large dog, the owner takes aggression more seriously.

A big dog can push a child away and or leave the situation through strength and size. Small dogs can't and are more likely to be mauled, groped and carried around by neck, ears, collar. Their only defense is to bite sometimes. Specially if their snarl and attempt at escape is ignored. It only need happen once for a dog to learn what works (bitting) and what doesn't(growling and snarling)
Absolutely! And this is where the parent needs to step in and take responsibility as a parent.

The 1 statement I've heard time and again that angers me beyond belief is "kids can do anything to my dog and it won't bite" I wonder why they'd think it's ok for children to abuse their pet? The animal is needing it's human to protect it and the human is sitting there watching this whole thing go down...insane.
I'm sure they don't mean it quite that way, lol. I take a statement like that to mean that the dog is well socialized to children, not that they allow children to beat their dog. Kind of like saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." Probably a slight exaggeration, lol.
 

Sal

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Sep 29, 2007
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The biggest problem with these little dogs is the way owner treat them, like their not dogs. They don't grasp the concept that a little dog that's allowed to do whatever it wants thinks it's the pack leader and will act accordingly. This is when they become a danger to children, especially small children. I'd bet good money that this dog is treated like a pampered prince or princess in the home. And all normal dog aggressive behaviour is ignored. It's the owner, not the dog.

Welcome back by the way.

I think what you describe is a huge contributor to aggression in some animals. My aunt's one dog was very jealous of anyone going near my aunt's space and over he was super over indulged. Actually so was the other one but he was never aggressive. He did not have that type of nature. It's usually a combo of environment and nature ...this dog did not suddenly out of the blue attack that child. As Das said he was either provoked or as I said, had not been corrected when he previously showed aggression.

And thanks.

WTF! A dog bites a kid and suddenly there's a problem in the owners house? ffs.
Absolutely there's a problem in the home.

Put that dog to sleep.

Not the dog's fault.
 

JLM

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Nov 27, 2008
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I would disagree. I don't think the size of a dog is any indication of the responsibility of the owner. I'd wager that more children are wary of a large breed dog over a small breed dog.

A big dog can push a child away and or leave the situation through strength and size. Small dogs can't and are more likely to be mauled, groped and carried around by neck, ears, collar. Their only defense is to bite sometimes. Specially if their snarl and attempt at escape is ignored. It only need happen once for a dog to learn what works (bitting) and what doesn't(growling and snarling)

The 1 statement I've heard time and again that angers me beyond belief is "kids can do anything to my dog and it won't bite" I wonder why they'd think it's ok for children to abuse their pet? The animal is needing it's human to protect it and the human is sitting there watching this whole thing go down...insane.


While I'm not sure what the actual trend is, I've sometimes noticed that aggressive people seem to like big dogs. But I'm also willing to concede there are instances of the opposite.
 

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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While I'm not sure what the actual trend is, I've sometimes noticed that aggressive people seem to like big dogs. But I'm also willing to concede there are instances of the opposite.
The absolute, scariest, craziest, mofo, with 18 confirmed kills, 5 medals and enough colour bars to paper a room, I know, owns a female chihuahua, named Lovie, who herself has more pink accessories than Paris Hilton.
 

Sal

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Sep 29, 2007
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Blame should not matter when assessing the risk of the dog biting another 2 year old.

Blame has to matter. Clearly that owner is at fault here. She also further panicked, lied and did not take responsibility for her dog. If they had not found that dog, that child would have had to undergo rabies shots...now the dog is quarantined so at least they can observe it. He may still need shots. This story isn't over for the participants yet.

Often the owners should just be shot.
lol...don't get me started
 

DaSleeper

Trolling Hypocrites
May 27, 2007
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This is the leash I made for our dog, hung on a light switch so you can see the length...... Full length is when I'm walking alone with the dog .....the loop half-way is when training or when I meet people for better control....
I see too many people with 16 foot extend-a-leash at full extension with no control


 

JLM

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Nov 27, 2008
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Blame has to matter. Clearly that owner is at fault here.




When I first read the post I took it to mean that any potential encounter would be handled in such a manner that blame would never be a consideration- but that's just one man's opinion! -:)
 

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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This is why I made my own Two-in-one.......only need to carry one....lol
I have a backpack for all the stuff we carry when out with the dogs. It's great to have a big fenced yard, lol.

You should market that lead though, it's a great idea. I have some suggestions I can share with you to improve on it, if you're interested.
 

DaSleeper

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May 27, 2007
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I have a backpack for all the stuff we carry when out with the dogs. It's great to have a big fenced yard, lol.

You should market that lead though, it's a great idea. I have some suggestions I can share with you to improve on it, if you're interested.[/QUOTE]
Sure
 

Sal

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Sep 29, 2007
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When I first read the post I took it to mean that any potential encounter would be handled in such a manner that blame would never be a consideration- but that's just one man's opinion! -:)

the dog is not to blame...the owner is to blame...when out in public or if there is company within the home, it is the responsibility of the owner to control their pet

I have a 12 pound cat. In my spare room is extra litter and water. When I have visitors who are frail, she is confined. The reason for this is because she loves, loves, loves people. She wants to be right where the action is happening. Some people are afraid of that. If you ignore her she will first talk a lot, then sit in a begging position. If still ignored, she is coming aboard. That is fine for most of my visitors. BUT I can not have a 12 pound cat jump on some old person's chest.

It is my responsibility to protect my visitors and my pet. If she harms someone she will pay for it. I have to ensure that does not occur.
 

Twila

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Mar 26, 2003
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I'm sure they don't mean it quite that way, lol. I take a statement like that to mean that the dog is well socialized to children, not that they allow children to beat their dog. Kind of like saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." Probably a slight exaggeration, lol.

I don't know. I've heard people talk about let kids "ride" their dog. I've watched little kids poke at dogs eyes and pull at ears, while there parents watched and talked about what a patient dog they had.

Absolutely there's a problem in the home.


I couldn't imagine my dog, even with her fear of kids, lashing out at a child...randomly and without provokation. I agree with you. There is something unnatural about what is going on in the home now or what went on in the home if the dog hasn't always been with that owner. There is a something.

While I'm not sure what the actual trend is, I've sometimes noticed that aggressive people seem to like big dogs. But I'm also willing to concede there are instances of the opposite.

I love seeing older people with a well behaved bully breed or a big guy out walking a chihuahua. I know they love the dog and not the image the animal is going to give them.
 

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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Nonsense. Its an animal, the one true constant about animals is, they are unpredictable.

I've seen sled dogs, loved and cherished, turn on a dime, with zero provocation. It happens, and sometimes it just happens.
 

Twila

Nanah Potato
Mar 26, 2003
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I have a backpack for all the stuff we carry when out with the dogs. It's great to have a big fenced yard, lol.

You should market that lead though, it's a great idea. I have some suggestions I can share with you to improve on it, if you're interested.

So what do you train your dogs for? What breed, mix, look are your dogs? How many? How old? How long have you been doing this kind of training? k...that's it for now...I think. lol