Dogs as weapons...

I've just watched this fascinating but thoroughly shocking documentary about young people owning and training their dogs to be aggressive towards people and the reintroduction of pitbulls. It's one of the most saddening things I've watched in a while, the dog-lovers on here will be sickened I'm sure but the programme really brings home this growing trend and it's bloody worrying. Having lived on council estates and witnessed these sorts of things myself, it's a scary prospect indeed...

Anyone else seen this?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...apon_is_a_Dog/

Near the end one of the fellas talks about these dogs being dangerous if used in the right way, obviously he means the wrong way! These people seem to be so naive and really don't understand the dangers! I sincerely hope this programme makes people think

I warn you now it does contain cruelty cases that, if you're soft like me will bring a tear to the eye. But it's very interesting and a good watch.

Discuss at leisure!

[dizzyblonde]

Don't need to see Maria. I see it every day in chav central. Sickening really, especially when you spend many tiring hours training your own dogs to be the opposite

The worst thing round here, is the asian youngsters. Their thing at the moment is Akitas. Most of the asian comunity fear dogs, so why are these lads making thier comunity fear them more, by training them to be aggressive.

Watched this the other day when it was on TV, I don't see a problem with dogs being used as protection. My dogs soft as cake but it has a vicious bark to it, It makes me feel safer when im out with my dog than when I'm out on my own. I know that the dog wouldn't harm anything except a cat if i asked it to but other people dont know that if it starts barking. I wuv my doggy :]

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by BanditPat

Watched this the other day when it was on TV, I don't see a problem with dogs being used as protection. My dogs soft as cake but it has a vicious bark to it, It makes me feel safer when im out with my dog than when I'm out on my own. I know that the dog wouldn't harm anything except a cat if i asked it to but other people dont know that if it starts barking. I wuv my doggy :]

A dog will protect its master without ever training it to be aggressive. I know my dogs won't purposely harm anyone. BUT, by their own learning alone, protect my home. They only hear a gate and they bark, they see a person in hi viz jacket jump over the gate, and Honey will bite the ass of the gate hopper. If Im Indoors raised a hand I'm pretty sure Bob would eat him, he gets upset when we argue.....but the point is, I have never purposely gone out to get my dogs wound up to attack people or other animals

BOB the dog is an eternal puppy, but hear him bark and he sounds like the hound of the Baskervilles and runs around like the beast of Bodmin on the moor, he can look quite frightening!

Originally Posted by BanditPat

Watched this the other day when it was on TV, I don't see a problem with dogs being used as protection. My dogs soft as cake but it has a vicious bark to it, It makes me feel safer when im out with my dog than when I'm out on my own. I know that the dog wouldn't harm anything except a cat if i asked it to but other people dont know that if it starts barking. I wuv my doggy :]

Nothing wrong with using a dog as protection, of course not. My alsatian has a vicious bark and I know people avoid me in the street because of his breed's reputation but that's the way I like it tbh. But most of the people in that documentary had no control over their animals. A dog protecting its owner is an entirely different animal to one that has been pi$$ed off to the point of madness and ends up unleashing forced anger upon something/one else. Having a vicious dog because it's "cool" is disgusting.

The point here is that these animals are not being treated as pets but simply accessories, like a trendy handbag. My dog is loved as part of the family. I have tapped his nose a couple of times when he's eaten something he shouldn't have but never to deliberately provoke viciousness. IMO an angry dog is 10 times worse than the threat of a knife and 100x more unpredictable. Like it was mentioned in the documentary, if a youth pulls a knife out they'll rarely use it. In comparison, if they tell their dog to "attack" there's no going back. That animal will not rest till it's caused as much damage as it's capable of, and that power is clearly being put in the wrong hands. It's just fkin wrong.

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

Nothing wrong with using a dog as protection, of course not. My alsatian has a vicious bark and I know people avoid me in the street but that's the way I like it tbh. But most of the people in that documentary had no control over their animals. A dog protecting its owner is an entirely different animal to one that has been pi$$ed off to the point of madness and ends up unleashing forced anger upon something/one else. Having a vicious dog because it's "cool" is disgusting.

The point here is that these animals are not being treated as pets but simply accessories, like a trendy handbag. My dog is loved as part of the family. I have tapped his nose a couple of times when he's eaten something he shouldn't have but never to deliberately provoke viciousness. IMO an agry dog is 10 times worse than the threat of a knife and 100x more unpredictable. Like it was mentioned in the documentary, if a youth pulls a knife out they'll rarely use it. In comparison, if they tell their dog to "attack" there's no going back. That animal will not rest till it's caused as much damage as done, and that power is clearly being put in the wrong hands. It's just fkin wrong.

Ah good thought you were against dogs being used as protection as well

there was the lad with the doberman that seemed to have control of his dog. Cant say the same about the rest of them but one of them seemed fine.

Originally Posted by BanditPat

Ah good thought you were against dogs being used as protection as well

there was the lad with the doberman that seemed to have control of his dog. Cant say the same about the rest of them but one of them seemed fine.

That was a rottweiler, and yes he proved that a dog can be trained without abuse, of course it can. But I don't think these people understand a dog will want to protect you of its own free will, forcing it to see red will just backfire.

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

Nothing wrong with using a dog as protection, of course not. My alsatian has a vicious bark and I know people avoid me in the street but that's the way I like it tbh. But most of the people in that documentary had no control over their animals. A dog protecting its owner is an entirely different animal to one that has been pi$$ed off to the point of madness and ends up unleashing forced anger upon something/one else. Having a vicious dog because it's "cool" is disgusting.

The point here is that these animals are not being treated as pets but simply accessories, like a trendy handbag. My dog is loved as part of the family. I have tapped his nose a couple of times when he's eaten something he shouldn't have but never to deliberately provoke viciousness. IMO an angry dog is 10 times worse than the threat of a knife and 100x more unpredictable. Like it was mentioned in the documentary, if a youth pulls a knife out they'll rarely use it. In comparison, if they tell their dog to "attack" there's no going back. That animal will not rest till it's caused as much damage as it's capable of, and that power is clearly being put in the wrong hands. It's just fkin wrong.

I agree with ya there Miss YC.

No matter how well trained an animal is, you can never guarentee that they will be 100% obedient. An animal has its own free will and will do what it wants to. So irresponsible owners who encourage their dogs to be aggressive is just worrying.

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

That was a rottweiler, and yes he proved that a dog can be trained without abuse, of course it can. But I don't think these people understand a dog will want to protect you of its own free will, forcing it to see red will just backfire.

Damn it i get them mixed up all the time, dobermans the pointy less built one ;]

[appollo1]

Jus looked at this and I have to say I am disgusted. Most of you know I have a German Shepherd and he is a lot bigger than most but I know how well treated and looked after he is.

I cannot believe that these idiots are allowed to have dogs. I am sure there would be an outcry if their dogs turned on them and caused them injury.