Grady ‘flying the ship’ on this very difficult post.
Tackling this sensitive subject for Humans is a large task and there will be those Humans offended, upset, and very emotional. This is not an attempt to invoke any of those things. Any dog attack on a Human is a terrible thing and when there is a fatality it is even a bigger tragedy. Normally a series of things are happening that lead up to tragedies. It is usually not one event.
This is an attempt to assist in understanding dog behavior, not to give specific reasons why or why not a dog attacked a person in any situation.
The media usually points blame at the dog and makes a point leave out pertinent facts to the situation – like – what happened. Not just report the tragic end result.
One point of clarification. ‘Pit bulls’ do not bite more than other breeds of dogs. Retrievers, and Lap Dogs bite more than other breeds. Large Breed dogs do more damage when they do – but bite much less frequently that many other more popular breeds. That shiny lighted board (laptop) my Dad looks at all time has lots of bad information. My Dad yells that links on frequency of dog bites goes to ‘most dangerous breeds’, or ‘most fatalities’ like usdogbites.org. The data on the most frequent dog bites is different than the most dangerous – but you wouldn’t know that from the link – or the site’s tag line.
Labs, Retrievers, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shitzu breeds bite most frequently.
Dog bites are usually calculated by who goes to get medical attention – obviously – that will most likely be from a bigger dog. Usually bites are not reported. The point is – ALL DOGS BITE. If the dog bites a Human – that’s the HUMAN’S fault. Every time. Donna agrees with me on this.
10 Common themes in Dog bite/fatality stories
- The Owner is absent
- With pretty terrible reporting across the board, one consistent theme is that the owner usually was not home or around at the time of these tragic events. A relative came over and the dog attacked. In these cases, the dog is usually is protecting or guarding the home as the dog knows the ‘Pack Leader’ is not home.
- Dogs take on a higher level of alert and protection of the property or become territorial. This is natural and what We Dogs are supposed to do.
- The Dog was playing with the kids before with no problem -“..suddenly…”
- When the owner is present we(dogs) know that you run the pack and will tolerate certain behavior that may appear to be a display of dominance. This is shown when kids pull on the ears of a dog or pulls on the dogs face. We may tolerate this behavior when our Owner/Human is around. However when the Owner/Human is INSIDE at Grandma’s house – playing out in the backyard – a child may accidentally pull on a dog’s ear. The dog treats the child in that elevated playful mind state as a pack PEER. Pulling on the ear is an act of dominance and the Dog will correct the Pack Peer (the child) with a nip or bite to correct the behavior. Similar to a child punching another child. Only with a dog – the consequence is devastating and usually the dog is put down. Owner/Human not supervising is the issue here.
- A story of a toddler falling on a sleeping dog and using it’s ears to get up. The dog read this as an unprovoked show dominance. Corrected the toddler – who was horribly injured – and went back to sleep as if nothing happened. There are several more similar stories. One more is here. (Golden Retriever – it’s not just Pit Bulls)
- A special note: A well exercised, routine trained Dog may be less probable to attack a Human or a little one. Walk and train your dog!
- The Dog was dropped off with relatives (See #1)
- Humans will drop off kids with Aunts or Uncles and the Dog will usually be inside or outside with little humans with no supervision.
- Dogs get excited when playing with small Humans. Our Pack Leader staying to regulate our energy level when playing is important and prudent. When play time is over, THEN go inside with the family and chit chat.
- Untrained
- Over and over Dogs are simply not trained by the owner. Today’s puppy is tomorrow’s 80lbs Dog. A strong, assertive, PACK LEADER is necessary.
- We respond better to training – or practicing communicating with one another. You have to SAY what you want. TAKE TIME to teach me – the relationship will be much better. I am BRED to please my Human! We seek APPROVAL.
- Lack of Exercise / Routine
- In nearly every situation, the Dog has not been exercised. There are some protection or territorial type situations with a ‘big back yard ‘. That is not exercising the dog! Go out WITH the dog. Play fetch or a game with the dog. Just ‘letting him out’ is merely a bathroom break. Do you feel like you ran 3 miles after a trip to pee?
Grady getting exercise! - A normal routine with your animal will allow for your dog to experience different situations with you. Interacting with other people, seeing other dogs, consistent reminders of proper behavior in these situations help us know what to do when you are not around – we know you can’t be with us all day and night.
- In nearly every situation, the Dog has not been exercised. There are some protection or territorial type situations with a ‘big back yard ‘. That is not exercising the dog! Go out WITH the dog. Play fetch or a game with the dog. Just ‘letting him out’ is merely a bathroom break. Do you feel like you ran 3 miles after a trip to pee?
- No one remained calm
- With the owner not around, and everyone screaming and yelling adds negative energy to the situation. That yelling and screaming will get the dog more excited and with no owner around prolonged terrible attacks happen. To remain calm is a lot to ask in the midst of a dog attack. No question about it.
- Stepping in the middle of a dog attack is dangerous business. With no owner present this can be particularly intense. Extreme caution is necessary as the dog, excited may attack the Human attempting to stop the attack.
- Dog Escaped from (Back)Yard
- Since many dog owners don’t walk their Dog, the dog only knows the back yard. We are naturally curious and due to our hearing and smelling abilities, we want to see what’s out there. When we do get out – we don’t always know what to do. We get nervous or scared. Depending on how we are raised, we may attack.
- Never being allowed out or socialized may be very dangerous. Especially when the owner isn’t there. Here is a tragic story that shows multiple issues. No owner, not socialized, relegated to back yard. Three things that led to the likelihood of this tragedy.
- Not securely locking a pack of dogs makes no sense. Any breed. Sadly like this tragic story, of dogs not being secured and in a neighbor’s yard. The Owner is at fault here. Unnecessary tragedy all around. If the Owner could not secure the dogs, per the article, Humans must wonder what else is not being done?
- Dog Broke Loose, Escaped and Attacked
- A Dog tethered in someway to a tree or dog house in the back yard and escaping may be for any of the reasons above. One BIG deal are Dogs being tormented by kids or people on a regular basis. We remember the tormentors smell. And we don’t like them.
- Attacking a person may happen less if the dog is regularly walked in the neighborhood and is exposed to a variety of scenarios that happen when walking.
- Pack of Pit Bulls Attack [ jogger / hiker ]
- Stories of Packs of Dogs attacking a Human is awful. In this tragic story, the last paragraph tells the ‘why’ story – stray packs of dogs – means, Humans dumping dogs is problem one. Responsibility – Human.
- If stray packs of dogs have been a problem, according to the article, why haven’t these dogs been captured? So many questions without answers that could have prevented this senseless tragedy. There is not one issue but several that lead up to this tragedy.
- Protecting Owner
- We are loyal. To the death. It is that simple. We will give our lives for you. As can be seen in this story. Even take a bullet and still attack an intruder.
- No matter how old we get – we are here to help and will attack as we are able to sense danger. When Humans say ‘Feel the Tension’ Dogs really feel it. Ever notice when Humans argue the dog leaves the room or goes under the bed or table?…
- We are loyal. To the death. It is that simple. We will give our lives for you. As can be seen in this story. Even take a bullet and still attack an intruder.
Summary
Hopefully, when reading stories about Pit Bull attacks, you will, perhaps view the situation with ‘new’ eyes. This is not meant to excuse away anyone’s tragedy or marginalize anyone’s emotions. This, again, is an attempt to provide some semblance of a reason and accountability for all horrible dog biting situations. There is more to the story – and some parts may be inferred from the scant information concerning the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the incident. Hopefully, the media will be more diligent in reporting a more complete story, instead of inflammatory titles with little substance. Headlines cost great dogs their lives.
All dogs bite and all dogs need training and exercise. In the end, owners of Pit Bulls, and other large breeds must use extra energy in the relationship with their dogs. In doing so, tragedies may be prevented while a better relationship with the Human, Dog, and Community is the result.
Do you think Owners should be more responsible and held accountable?
NOTE to Mail Carriers:
You guys smell funny. Really weird. All those letters have all those different hands that have touched them and the paper smells like different houses, and people and it’s all mixed together. Usually no one is home so I get protective and you always come around the same time. It’s not that I don’t like you – it’s just you SMELL funny! We have a strong NOSE!
Don’t forget – DOGS are MASTERS OF MANIPULATING HUMAN GUILT.
Follow us – we’ll let you know about our latest tips.
We have one RULE
RULE ELE
Everybody. Love. Everybody. Will Farrell, Semi-Pro
Visit us on IG & Twitter – @gradyndonna
Go Say Hi on FB!
Grady n Donna Train Humans 