Ending Breed-Specific Legislation, Part II
Stacie Tamaki, a Dogster member and guardian of Kitai, returns as our guest blogger.
What You as a Pet Owner Can Do
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to assume that all dogs who bite or maul were trained to do so. The truth is that many dogs who bite, dare I say the vast majority, were never trained to be aggressive. They’re pets who became aggressive because they were either neglected and/or under-socialized. Another often overlooked type of dog who bites is the spoiled pet. Often these dogs know no boundaries. While many dogs receive no training or boundaries and the worst they will ever do is bark a lot or demand attention, there are some who will go further and develop fear, possession and territorial aggression issues. Make no mistake, though these pets are loved and pampered they are just as capable of biting as any other dog.
That said, Lisa and I agree that the most important thing all of us can do to halt the spread of BSL is for each of us as dog owners, regardless of the breed, to make sure our own pets are properly socialized and on leashes, especially in cities where the law requires them to be. Letting your dog sit in your front yard untethered is creating a scenario where your dog could bite someone or another animal walking down the street as well as run into traffic and get hit by a car. I implore you, please don’t set your pup up to fail. If it doesn’t have 100% voice recall? Don’t let it off leash. If you have a dog that you think could or would bite someone or another animal if given the opportunity? Learn how to use a basket muzzle when you take your dog out in public. Learn about behavior modification, consult a dog behaviorist, and begin basic obedience training with the help of a professional. Socializing and training both take time, but the sooner you start? The sooner your own pet will become part of the solution and not be part of the dog bite problem.
Equally important is always to speak out when you hear of BSL being proposed, even if it isn’t in your city or state. Send emails and letters to council people and legislators; call them if you don’t have time to write. If BSL is being proposed in your local community, attend city council meetings and speak up. Advocate for the dogs. Calmly and respectfully offer alternatives like the ones listed above. If nobody says anything the laws will pass unchallenged. It’s up to all of us to protect both our pets and communities while at the same time bringing an end to BSL.
Just a side note, many of the Bully breeds are tethered 24-7, a chained up dog, no matter what the breed any dog tends to have aggression issues, being left alone. Advocate for anti-tethering laws, or limited time tethering.
Don’t ever sit back and allow government officials to decide what they deem is good for you, you have a voice, use it, you have the most powerful tool in this country, the right to vote, make sure you use that privilege.
As stated help other cities defeat BSL, I have gotten involved with the fight for the past 5 years and you will be surprised what I have learned as far as how the legistrative process works.
Thank you Nadiya! That is a very good point I forgot to mention. I appreciate you posting it :o)
I received a private message this morning asking what if someone does have a spoiled pet that can be aggressive due to fear issues. What should they do? Where do they begin? I messaged back privately but also wanted to post my response here:
If it were me I would begin with finding a qualified behaviorist.
(Ask your vet, local shelters, other dog owners, etc.)
Obedience training is great when dealing with a puppy or a dog that doesn’t have any significant issues. But once issues are established, working with a behaviorist is, imo, the best way to go. Once the “triggers” that escalate the fear/aggression reaction in a dog are identified there are many different methods that can be used to overcome them. A professional can help you. Once you really know where you stand with the issue at hand then also begin obedience training, on your own or in classes. Obedience training will help to build your dog’s confidence and will help to put you in charge.
I had Kitai for a couple of years when inexplicably he developed an aggression issue towards my housemate at the time. My housemate is the sweetest guy ever and had done nothing to Kitai but all of a sudden Kitai would freak out and go crazy charging him, snarling, baring his teeth, barking and growling and holding the poor guy at bay. We had no idea what triggered this but I did 3 things:
1. I pmailed a dog trainer I am pals with here on Dogster who specializes in positive reinforcement training methods.
2. I hired a behaviorist locally who came to my house for one consultation to help create an action plan to deal with the problem.
3. I also had a 1 hour phone consult with an aggression specialist to discuss what was going on.
By combining bits and pieces of advice from all three of them we were able to work Kitai past his aggression, which was triggered by fear, in a matter of a couple of months.
For me the biggest concern I have about spoiled dogs (in general) isn’t even if and when they might bite someone but rather if anything were to ever happen to their owners? These dogs would very likely be deemed unadoptable if they couldn’t pass a basic temperament test at a shelter and would be euthanized. I know people always think their dog could never end up in a shelter but I’ve seen it time and again in the Dogster Forums that owners who due to illness, financial problems, etc are forced to give up their pets. An even tempered dog can usually be rehomed even to a close friend or someone the owners know. A potentially aggressive dog or one that is untrained may ultimately end up in a shelter. So it’s a level of protection we can all offer our pets to make sure they are well trained enough that if, God forbid, anything happened to us? They would be quickly rehomed with a family that can love and adore them the same way we do.
Kitai is plenty spolied, but he’s also trained. And anytime he develops any behavioral issues we work through them at once. I’ve found the longer I let them go the more ingrained they become.
Great Information. kitai I also spoil my dog, it’s something I just do and can’t help it.
I think this is a great article. Education is the best step. We have 6 dogs…they might not get along with each other every day, but they are well behaved with people and kids.
Really good article Stacie!
Part of the responsibility of dog ownership is teaching your dog manners. Spoil them by all means in all things material or edible. But do not neglect your dog’s manners. A well mannered dog is a joy to have around and gets invited back. They see more of the world, they experience more, and because they understand their role in the grand scheme of things they can relax and go with the flow. When the unexpected happens my dog looks to me to “fix” the problem, she does not take it upon herself. She is happy - heck, she is joyful, playful and a natural born commedienne. She also understands that sit means sit now. Stay means for however long it takes. Leave it means don’t touch it, even if Mom isn’t looking. And with that she has become an ambassador for a sometimes maligned breed (though she’s not a Pittie).