All this talk about vicious dogs, let me tell you a breed that

[Roon]

gets overlooked.The weimaraner.(sp) My parents used to breed them and they have three adults currently. My step-sister has 7 on her farm.

This breed is jealous, territorial, and they are attention whores. If they think they are being shorted on attention, they get mean and will attack. I saw my step-sister suffer a terrible bite from one of her own dogs because she was loving on one of my parents' dogs.My Mom got bit because she was petting a cat in front of them. My parents' two-year-old grandson got bit because he was being hugged and kissed by my step-dad.

I just wanted to vent. The whole clan is headed to the cabin this week-end and my parents' are bringing their dogs.Would you bring your dog to a family function if you knew they bite? Esp if there were going to be kids running around? I don't get some dog owners.

I am typing with one hand, so I may be slow....

[cynatnite]

1. If the dog has a history of biting family members...it should stay home

[elehhhhna]

3. IMP it should stay CAGED or be gone altogether. Biters bite.

[cynatnite]

7. We had poodles as kids and if there was rough-housing going on...

they would think it was a real fight and start trying to bite. After the first few times it happened, she put the dogs up whenever family came around. The goofing off happened enough, that my mom didn't want to chance anything bad happening. Otherwise they were great dogs.

[elehhhhna]

2. bring muzzles as gifts. seriously. just because your parents are

(intentionally? irrationaly?) oblivious doesn't mean there's no danger.

And to hell w/ their "feelings" about muzzling their poorly bred &/or trained pets. Beats having a child get bitten in the face, and you clearly have a premonition about trouble.

[Roon]

6. I'm pissed

They should leave the damn things at home. Even if they don't bite, they bark aggressively and lunge like they are going to bite you.Scares the shit out of people.

[cynatnite]

11. It would scare the hell out of me...

we had small dogs as pets, but big dogs scare the shit out of me. I would be inclined to stay home if I knew those dogs were going to be there.

It does sound like some truth-telling needs to happen here for everyone's sake.

[Roon]

23. I know

and no one will do it. (truthtelling) I know, I should probably do it......

[graywarrior]

4. Did your arm get chewed off by one of them weimaraners?

[Roon]

9. Nope

Just deep puncture wounds that bleed profusely.

[blonndee]

5. I'm not sure it's necessarily the breed, but

I agree with you about the irresponsibility of allowing KNOWN BITING dogs around others, especially children, who many dogs see as prey, or simply unfamiliar and therefore a potential threat.

I have a dog who is uncomfortable around strangers and who is intensely loyal and protective of me. I would NEVER take him to such a gathering, for his sake (too much stress) and for the sake of the other people.

[Roon]

13. Good for you!

EOM

[ShortnFiery]

31. An unstable temperament is usually rare in most canines from

reputable breeders.

I can't speak with confidence regarding specific breed traits, however, I've been blessed with many canine companions. My beloved present "beautiful mutt" mixed breed ... is very sedate. But I've been challenged with dominant K9s growing up on the farm and as a young mother of small children.

Dominant dogs seemingly swagger and are pushing to be "in charge." However after many rounds of Obedience training and three intensive sessions with a skilled dog trainer, I learned to MAKE my most dominant K-9 submit to me as the Alpha Male. I was 8 months pregnant as I was stomping down on the choker and sternly saying, "DOWN." Guess what? With persistence and consistent firmness, he developed into my most entertaining (great personality) canine. They all are special, but he was a gem of playful fun and quirkiness.

Many dominant tempered, but STABLE personality-type dogs are abandoned because of, IMO, IGNORANT OWNERS. Although I would never leave a canine with my children alone, he still KNEW that if he hurt one of MY PACK that he would pay dearly. In fact, he did watch over them as a service to me. But again, never leave ANY canine alone with children please?!? Each time before I fed him, I'd give the order for him to lie "down" ... one must reinforce that the HUMAN owner is Top Dog.

What was the most satisfying over time: as I consistently established myself each day as #1 in charge, my K-9 was seemingly "at ease" but more eager to please me.

IMO an intelligent, well trained, dominant tempered dog is a pleasure for experienced dog owners ... people who are dedicated to consistent and proper training ... and to know that they must always take charge and looked upon as #1 of the Pack.

Dogs are beautiful, loved as family members, BUT do not ever lose their pack-behavior mentality. If you get a dominant K-9 that message drives home fast. However, don't confuse dominance with instability. These dogs are a challenge for the novice dog owner, but if you love your dog and can take the time with a dog trainer, you CAN have an enjoyable and well behaved family pet who also demonstrates a dominant basic temperament. ;)

[blonndee]

33. Excellent post!

They are first and foremost, DOGS. Canines. My dogs are my family, but you are right about pack-behavior as well as the importance of consistent, and STRICT training, which some unfortunately think of as abusive. It's too bad, because I NEVER hit my dogs, but I do try to be strict with them. Which is tough. It's much easier just to give them what they want and let it go. Kind of like kids, I imagine!

I have found similar results with my dogs as what you described. I was reluctant at first to make them "earn" everything and be so "bossy" with them, but found that they actually thrive in such an environment and respond much more consistently...almost as though they're relieved to not have to try to be the boss themselves and take charge.

The dog I described in my earlier post, we are still working together, and he's honestly the most obedient, eager-to-please dog I've ever known and LOVES it when I boss him around! But we do have more work to do and honestly, because I don't want to see him fail and don't want to take ANY chances with others, I wouldn't put him in the situation the OP described. I've recognized him not as a dominant dog, but one who tends to be a bit insecure, and so I'm working on that. I let my "bossy bitch" boss him around, and he's happy with that. Reinforcing the natural pack order, as hard as it can be, really can help with a pack. It's the stranger issue we're dealing with, as well as external stimulation like unfamiliar people and dogs. He tends to react very quickly to that kind of thing.

I'm almost embarrassed to say this, but I've learned a lot from that Super Nanny show as to how to deal with my dogs. Consistency, firmness, consequences, and rewards.

[ShortnFiery]

40. That's excellent!

Glad to read how you are training and enjoying your beloved K-9s.

Yes, I find it best to have two canines in the home. When they get along, (of course, one is always more domineering) they can enjoy each other's company when us humans are away. :-)

[Roon]

37. Thanks for that post

Makes a lot of sense. Some people shouldn't have dogs. Takes a pro or someone who knows what he's doing to raise a good dog.

[ShortnFiery]

42. You are welcome!

I love canines, in general, and mine as members of our family. They never grow up and leave home and they're always glad to see you. My life has been blessed to have enjoyed so many beautiful canines and one very special Siamese Cat. :-)

[welshTerrier2]

43. excellent post ... thanks ...

this terrier salutes you !!

it's important for owners to thoroughly research the breed characteristic before acquiring a dog ... and it's critical to learn how to be a dog owner and how to train a dog ...

starting early with puppy kindergarten is often a great way to get puppies off to a good start ... even before you acquire a new puppy, how they are socialized (hopefully by a good breeder) can have a huge impact on the dog's temperament ...

and, not every dog fits into every family or living situation ... some require tons upon tons of exercise while others are generally more passive ... it's a great idea to do some serious homework before acquiring a new dog ...

and as you stated, it's a must to establish the whole alpha dog thing ... skip that step and the dog runs the household ...

[JNelson6563]

47. Yep, it's all about top dog

And I always quickly establish I am the alpha around here and I've never had a dog who had problems understanding that. I don't believe in hitting them to teach 'em either. Hitting just teaches them to fear you.

:toast:

Julie

[Scout1071]

62. Dominance is key.

I have a boxer, which are notoriously dominant. I got him from a friend of a friend and he had not had a great upbringing. At first I thought he needed some pampering to get comfortable. But, now I realize that he really needs and prefers a combo of dominance and love. I don't say "Come here boy...." I say "Come." He reacts immediately to the one word command in a commanding voice. He runs straight to me and sits down immediately at my feet. And that is greeted with praise and petting, sometimes a treat.

He loves it and is much more behaved.

[SmokingJacket]

78. Boxers are great.

They make mean-looking watch-dogs if that's something you want, but are rarely vicious. They respond really well to a firm hand, too.

[shanti]

82. so....if you're not a naturally "dominating" person,

you shouldn't have a dog? :shrug:

[susanna]

96. That's not necessarily true.

If you have a dog who is naturally and truly submissive, just by nature they will consider you dominant, even if you are not overt about it. It's all about the personality of the animal in question, in my opinion.

There are a lot of tests you can do on with dogs to find out if they're super dominant or super submissive, or something in between. One book I sometimes recommend is "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete. They have a checklist in the back that (at least in my case with a super dominant dog) was invaluable in pinpointing the issues I would face. It also helped me craft a training plan that could actually work. Some of their training methods I disagreed with, but at least they gave me a starting point where I could modify them to work with my animal.

So no, you don't have to be a super-dominator. You just need to know how to pick a naturally submissive animal who just loves you for you. :-)

on edit: I need to learn to spell.

[Codeine]

8. Take a nice big hammer with you, like a one-hand sledgehammer.

Show it to your parents. Let them know that if one of your family gets hurt by one of their dogs they'll be going home with fewer pets than they arrived with.

You'll be surprised how much control they'll be able to exert over their animals if they know there will be actual consequences.

[Roon]

17. That's another thing

Only family members have been bitten. It's only a matter of time before a friend's kid or a stranger gets bitten and they get sued.

[pitohui]

10. dogs who bite should be destroyed

i will admit i would not attend a family function where a dog who had already bitten someone was going to be present

that's just crazy

self preservation comes before being polite, i'm sorry

[Codeine]

20. I'm an animal loving vegan

and I would kill any dog that bit me unprovoked on the spot.

[ShortnFiery]

36. That's really harsh ... hum? Oh, it would take a long time ...

but I don't necessarily concur. If a dog is NOT socialized properly, it's his/her DUMB ASSED OWNERS FAULT that they may strike out aggressively. It does not necessarily mean that they are unstable.

Many of the canines who are destroyed are NOT unstable. They just were cursed with ignorant owners who erroneously believed, "dogs are people too."

Dogs are pack animals and should be thoughtfully socialized and trained. If you don't have or won't make the time, then don't adopt a canine.

IMO improper socialization is often what leads to aggressive canines. Nope, it's not ALL ABOUT the dog's temperament but his LACK of proper early training.

The aggressive behavior doesn't occur in a vacuum. It's often preventable.

[Codeine]

38. I understand your view,

but once a dog bites me it's demonstrated that it no longer recognizes place in the pack or it's relationship to humans. A housecat that bites is a nuisance, but a dog can kill or maim, and I simply cannot abide that.

It is harsh, and probably an over-reaction, but I don't have patience for biters.

[Bridget Burke]

57. Then you don't have the patience to own a dog.

Why are you vegan?

[susanna]

98. Puppies...especially those with dominant

tendencies, will bite occasionally. They are testing their limits; much like a 2-year-old's tantrum in the grocery store. In my mind, we don't penalize human children for this testing behavior, but we do harshly judge canine youth for the exact same thing. Seriously. Puppies do this sort of thing with their littermates all the time; just watch some videos of a litter of pups. Most of them, even truly dominant ones, will learn quickly to "soft-mouth" a bite when playing this game with trusted people or other dogs. It's just instinctive; they mean no real harm. It's a learning thing.

IMHO, if a puppy's bite doesn't break the skin, you move on and work to eradicate the behavior; you don't throw the puppy out with the bathwater, so to speak. Most will outgrow the behavior eventually. If they don't, THEN you should start worrying.

And do not get me started on cat biting behaviors and their "hidden" dangers. I'm tremendously allergic to cats (eyes swell shut, hives, etc.). In fact, a biting cat was the root cause of my first epi-pen...which is awful, because I really love cats. I just can't have one. :-(

[ShaneGR]

58. Ya, and we should execute any humans who ever get into fights....

Ermmmm, no.

[MannyGoldstein]

12. What's Up With German Breeds?

It's weird, but it seems that the lion's share of scary dogs breeds originated in Germany... Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, even Dachshunds. Now Weimaraners.

Of course we have Pit Bulls.

The Canadians have Labs and Newfies. Good doggies!

There's gotta be someting to take away from all this - but I have no idea what.

[Dr.Phool]

30. I have two dogs

A Golden-Newfie mix, and a Golden-Lab mix, and they'll lick you to death on command....or without.

[OnionPatch]

44. My mom has a Golden-Newfie mix

He weighs 145 lbs.! And he's the sweetest dog you can imagine.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. Regardless of breed, anyone who owns a dog that is known to

bite is irresponsible if they have the dog around people. I would never own a dog that showed unprovoked aggression towards humans. It would either have to go to a new owner or be put down. It isn't worth the risk to own an animal that can't be trusted not to harm people.

[Roon]

21. I hear you, Granny

It just drives me wild because my parents are intelligent.

[ShortnFiery]

32. As soon as you adopt a puppy, the socialization should begin ...

if you haven't taught the canine from 6 months up, what is and is NOT appropriate around humans ... and introduced him to a large number of people, there may be problems and you should consider not taking them around non-family members.

There may be hope for dogs who bite just family members. The problem is that the dog considers himself on a higher tier than those that he nips. The children should get involved in obedience training that can correct this "disrespect" to a Pack member (children in the family) who are to rank higher than the canine.

Training is everything or the destructive behaviors will only increase. If you can't take the time to train or the dog is truly unstable, difficult decisions will have to be made: 1) Shelter; 2) give to an experienced dog owner who wishes to adopt him/her.

[glitch]

35. Good advice. nt

[Arkansas Granny]

48. Socialization has got be high on the list of priorities with any dog

or puppy you adopt. Many people either ignore this or don't take the time to do it, but it has to be done if you are going to have the dog around family, friends or in public. They must learn the hierarchy and that people always rank higher than dogs. Keeping a dog that has bitten people before, without provocation, is just asking for trouble. Someone, especially a child, could be severely injured and it just isn't worth the risk.

[driver8]

15. We had a white German Shepherd mix that HATED when

people touched each other. This included hugs, dancing, etc...

He wouldn't bite, but he would make a lot of noise and try to get between whoever was touching.

He also hated soccer balls and I think he popped 9 or 10 of them.

[Roon]

22. My Grandparents had a schnauzer that did that..

we would be getting ready to leave and she would hear the jingling of the car keys as we grabbed them and she would go ape shit because she knew the good-bye hugs and kisses would be next. She never bit, just barked like crazy.

[nealmhughes]

41. My Doberdor Phil is crazy scary when anyone touches me in a

threatening manner -- threatening to HIM, that is. He knows I am "Daddy" and the boss, and the leader of the pack. A friend once commented on gentle and quiet and playful he was after being around me for only a few minutes. An hour or two later, my friend was standing up when I put on a CD of a radio show I had recorded a week or two before of a live gig he had played on. I was putting the CD on the player with my back turned to Phil and him, and then he suddenly hugged me when he realized that it was his gig (he didn't have a cut of it). Phil saw the hug and me yell out in surprise when the hug came. Phil had him down on the ground in one second.
We were all shocked in the room, as Phil was a big baby. Then we realized it was the Hug and my outcry that triggered it. He thought the pack leader was being attacked...
We defused the situation by us hugging several times with Phil there before us, but now on the leash. He learned what a hug was that day.
A year or two later, I was having a Xmas Party and the am session had several children there, and was alcohol-free. The adult festivities were not scheduled until 8pm. The children love Phil and he can play with all of them, and even rough house, when he knows it is play. I never imagined that we would have an incident again like the hug. A friend came by about 2pm, drunk and wanting more booze. I explained that this was the "family G-rated party" and politely asked him to walk home until 8pm, when the bottles would be open. He got angry and with my back turned, sucker punched me and knocked me down. Phil had to be held down by 3 men and a big woman while the children screamed. Everyone saw it and he left humiliated immediately as they held Phil back. He never came to my house again and told everyone I had a vicious dog, but of course someone who was there told the other side, that he had knocked me down drunk and Phil had pinned him to the ground to protect me, and the skin was not broken, but that he was lucky that Phil had not killed him.
In short, kids, who don't know a dog well, when it is play or when it is serious or not, should not be around strange dogs. Phil was quite young then. Actually, he was my "Good boy" for doing what he did. He did what a dog is supposed to do: protect the pack from threat.
After that I had a street person who was panhandling at a bodega down the street. He kept insisting I give him five dollars for beer. I kept telling him to get lost. He followed me as I went down the block, then I turned around to face him, one block from home and said, "You don't want me to go inside and introduce you to my Doberman, do you?" He still kept on following. He even got off the public sidewalk and onto my sidewalk and was headed to the front porch. I was inside and had Phil on the leash by then. I just walked outside and sat on the porch as Phil was lurching, thinking we were going to play "sniff the stranger." I never saw him panhandle in the neighbor again. When I moved, I walked Phil around the block 3 or 4 times to let him know the new smells and to let the neighborhood know that I had a big muscular beautiful piece of dog flesh. Oddly, I never got robbed.
Motto of story: Phil is about the size of a Weimareiner and a mahogany color rather than grey like a Weimareiner. I love him. Kids love him. My friends love him, but they are all warned, never ever touch me unless you are beside Phil and me and never ever strike me. Kids alone with him? Not on your life!

[FlaGranny]

55. Our American Eskimo

reacts when we hug or kiss by wanting in on the action. She wants her hugs and kisses too.

[blonndee]

16. Roon, buy some Direct Stop.

It's like doggie mace. Non-lethal, but by all accounts I've read, it works to stop a dog attack and even break up fights. I think you can get it at the big box pet stores, if you need to find it quickly. Just in case.

[Roon]

24. thanks for the tip

eom

[azurnoir]

18. We have a

1/2 pitbull 1/2 weimareiner(sp) and while she is an attention whore she has certainly never bitten or acted aggressively towards any human, she however once picked a kitten up out of my lap she did quickly but she was very gentle, she picked him up like a mother cat, trotted across the room, and set him down on the couch but, after that incident she treats him like he was her baby. If these dogs bite they really should be muzzled at the very least.

[Roon]

19. Let me say one good thing about this breed

If you have only one, they aren't bad. They get all the attention and are content with it. It's when you have more than one is when they are frantic and competing for attention and that is what makes them mean.

[LeftyMom]

25. Are they altered?

If not that may help, if you can talk them into it. I hope the biters weren't the specimens they were breeding, that would be really irresponsible and a bit scary.

[Roon]

26. They have one that they can't bring themselves to neuter

He's bitten twice. Their reasoning is the vet said it wouldn't do any good.

[LeftyMom]

28. It's worth trying

It's only $50 or so, might prevent a bite, and keeps a biting dogs genes as far out of the gene pool as possible. Also, it's healthier for him. I don't see a downside, though I know it's hard to get people to alter thier companions sometimes.

[Corgigal]

27. Do you see the cute picture of the corgi next to this post?

He has a problem of being door aggressive. Only the back door and only when I let the other pups in.
We have a trainer coming out and we are working on it. Well one time he bit me. Actually I was an idiot and used my leg to push him back and actually lifted my ankle into his mouth and he bit.

I haven't been bit by a dog in over 30 years and never my own dog. However I'm aware of his problem and I know what I did that was stupid. I also had him neutered and it's been a year but he's much better.

Can't always blame the doggie, sometimes it takes both the dog and the human and the miscommunication between the two.

[beyurslf]

29. I had a Weimaraner for years. She was a gorgeous dog and so

friendly to everyone. She never bit. She was very demanding of my attention, but would never bite anyone--especially a child. She loved kids! She knew she was Daddy's little girl and expected to be treated like a princess (and she was of course), but I couldn't imagine her being mean. She would pout if I didn't give her the attention she wanted. Or, she would stand off to the side and jump up and down and pace back and forth to get my attention. Her name was Larsyn. She was stolen from me one night when she ran off at the park across the street from my house. I never could find her. :(

I truly believe it is mostly nurture with a dog. My brother had a rotwieler also who was the sweetest dog. They take a lot of training and trust and work, but they can be great dogs. Labs may be the friendliest dogs in the world, but if you're mean to them all the time and neglect, they will become mean too.

[Freedomofspeech]

49. I have my third weimaraner....

It's the only breed we have owned the last 34 years. We have had two males and now have a female.
All three would lick you to death and want to sit on your lap when you come to visit. They are so good with children. We have an 18 month-old grandson who loves our dog, and she is so good with him(better than our son's own mixed breed dog). We always had a weimaraner when the boys were growing up, and never had a problem with them biting anyone. If you come to our home, our dog grabs a pillow and runs to the front door to greet you. However, anyone who takes a biting dog anywhere is totally stupid.

[Mabus]

63. We got one when I was in HS

It was one of the most loving, goofy dogs we had. His name was Scout. He thought he was a lap dog and loved bringing home "presents" that he found/caught to my mom. His favorite toy was a "Big Bird" doll that he took over after the toy was abandoned by my sisters. He carried that thing around until it was little more than a small yellow piece of fabric. His favorite trick was standing on his hind legs and ringing the doorbell. He'd open the doors and go outside just so he could ring the bell.

We never had any problem with him or his companion, a German Shepherd named Princess Leia. Princess was put to sleep because she had invasive cancer. Scout grieved so much and refused to eat. He died within a week of Princess being put to sleep. My mom said he died of a broken heart. Both Princess and Scout lived until their teens (both were rescues so it was hard to tell just how old they really were). I know we had them for at least 12 years.

We have rarely had just one dog. They are very social animals. We've always tried to have at least two so that they can give each other workouts, doggie sytle.

[susanna]

34. I had a "troubled" dog that sounds like the breed you cite.

For the record, my girl died in January, and I cried my eyes out. Still do, some days.

She was what many trainers would consider an Alpha female. She and I had our share of tussles before she agreed that I led (from a female perspective) our "pack." She had no sympathy for weakness in anything, mostly other dogs, but sometimes I saw her trying to bully our nephews/nieces...to the point that she was banished from family days as her behavior warranted.

In other words, I would never take her where children were present unless I was controlling her 24/7. And I always was. I found ways to separate dogs/kids that were straight up ingenious if I do say so myself.

Now, if your family lets the dogs run loose and do what they want, then yes, you are absolutely right to be concerned. And, if they bite? You are completely right to care.

My dog, at family gatherings where "things to dominate" (children) were present, I was SERIOUSLY present to the point of forced leash at odd intervals. If she even crossed the minor line (semi-growl, beginning stalking posture) I set, she was either leashed and handled by me (minor infraction) or demoted outside and not allowed back in for about an hour. She knew why, too. We were consistent with her rearing; "threaten any human, find yourself outside the pack." She never bit kids. Now, she did bite us (puppyhood) but kids, never. If she had, I would have had to consider her fitness for "pethood."

We managed thirteen years of peaceful dog/human gathering interactions with our rules. The first few times my dog was shunned for bad behavior must have taught her something, because she became a great companion animal. Her senior years were quite placid, and she even adopted the role of protector for my youngest nephew.

When my dog died in January, my 1-1/2 year old nephew that she had "adopted" was confused the first few times we came over, without her, afterwards. He kept looking for his "buddy." Seriously! When she didn't show up for three consecutive weeks, he threw a fit and cried his eyes out on my lap and kept pointing at the door like, "where is the dog?" (Heartbreaking, as most grieving pet owners can imagine.) Thankfully, he seems to like us now for ourselves and not his "best friend dog" from before.

I have to tell you this, though: when I showed him a picture of my dog a few months later (when I could handle it), he smiled a huge smile at me and grabbed the picture and ran around with it to the places they had always "hung out." Now, seriously - wow. The thing that gets me is that this "baby" had a relationship with that animal that HE and SHE understood, but we didn't. Seriously. How amazing is that?!

on edit: clarification

[ShortnFiery]

45. Beyond Amazing ... Just Beautiful !

:cry: She's waiting for you and your Nephew at The Rainbow Bridge. :hi:

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

[susanna]

95. Thank you ShortnFiery...that poem got me through the worst of it.

I thank you for posting the link. It always does my heart good. My dog taught me so much, troublesome though I thought she was half the time. I always knew, though, that it really wasn't her fault. If anything, it was mine. But then I do understand that difficult creatures come in all forms...including the dog variety. So we worked together. All the time...

I always tell people that my dog taught me to be patient (which I'm not), and she taught me what loyalty really is (which I thought I already knew). It really doesn't get any better than that. As for my nephew, he's so tiny still, but I have more great pictures of them together. When he's a little older I will show him his "old friend" and really hope he has a glimmer of remembrance like the one he showed just after she passed.

In allusion to the OPs issue about difficult animals, my dad (total dog lover) told me when he first saw my girl as a puppy: "She will NEVER be a good pet. Way too aggressive." When she was about eight years old, and I'd been working with her for all those years, he said to me "She really turned out to be a great dog. You know, you did a really good job with her." Coming from my dad, that's like winning an Oscar. :-)

on edit: clarity

[EST]

39. I am big man-well over six feet and nearly three hundred lbs.

Dogs make me nervous-big dogs or nasty, snappy dogs. I keep guns around as well as dogs and cats. I will not abide an aggressive dog threatening me or trying to take over and the dogs I live with are small to medium, loud and yappy, and not smart enough to shut up if they are upset.

Because of their nervousness, they make good watch dogs and I am quite fond of them. Both are well behaved and understand a lot of words, as well as capable of communicating pretty well themselves.

The point is, I like them and trust them and there is never a question about who is boss. If they should ever even hint of acting aggressively toward my little grand daughter, I would be short a dog, really quick!

[seabeyond]

51. i am there with you. i dont get people that talk they must continually

work at being the alpha with their dog on a daily bases to assure a dog doesnt bite. who wants to live with that. and for anyone to put a dog above a child or another person just boggles the mind. i have a beagle mix from the pound, recued and i am sure i could take it down no problem if there was a need. it is a good watch dog, and no threat. the only way i will have a dog

[sweetheart]

46. Dogs "pack"

My well-trained dogs lose the plot entirely when they're in a group.
Then they bite playfully at my ankles and if i'm petting 1, another
will come and want to be petted too, and sometimes the second one will
gently nibble my hand or the other dog to get petted too.

Biting is a form of expression for a dog, not painfully to injure, but
playfully to engage, happily to say hi and just being cheekey... and
if they bite me hard, i bite them on the nose back so they get the
message if it hurts.

But dogs will behave like a pack when in pack, as the call of their own
genetics is for all the training in the world, difficult for them when
they're with their kin.

[lukasahero]

50. "This breed" is extremely smart , energetic and needs strong leadership

People really should understand the breed they are getting before they bring one into the house. They should understand the requirements of the breed.

I'm beginning to think we should have dog owner lessons like we have driver's lessons. Don't take the class, can't have a dog.

[Strawman]

56. That's exactly right

Breeds may have certain characteristics that make it more or less difficult to fulfill their needs for excercise, etc., but it's almost always the owners and their failure to fulfill a dog's needs for excercise and discipline that are the soruce of the problems and not the dog and they would probably have issues with most dogs of any breed.

[seabeyond]

52. my borther got another pit. my sons wont be going to that house again

i wont. i told the boys and my nephews that i will not send my children in that house while they have a pit living in there. i love them dearly. it makes me sad that the boys cant have the relationship with cousins at their house, like they do in our house. but that is the way it is. they chose a pit as a pet,..... we dont go over there. that simple

your family.... i owuld be telling them my children will not go where there is a threat. i have spent my kids life protecting them. this is a danger. i dont put my kids in dangers way

[ulysses]

53. weimaraners of mass dogstruction.

Name given by a DUer to the dogs across the street from our old house whose owners were congentially unable to pen their dogs.

[janx]

67. Weims were never meant to be "penned."

They lived and hunted for centuries with people, and they shared the household with people. To banish them from the household by kenneling them is to ruin them.

[ulysses]

72. that's a fair point.

Personally, I've never seen the point of having a dog that I didn't have in the house anyway, at least part of the time and at night. Like I say, though, these weren't exactly enlightened folks, and if you're not going to have them in the house, then at least don't have them trying to eat the neighbors' cats.

[janx]

75. It sounds as if those people should not have adopted

weims. See my post #74.

[ulysses]

81. it was worse.

They bred them.

[greguganus]

54. We have a 2 weimaraner cross breeds

and they are the most loving animals. We live in country and used to have several break-ins when we weren't home. We haven't had a break-in in 5 years because of them. Maybe the cross breeding changed them. They are crossed with labradors. Never had any problem around children, unless licking them and playing ball with them is a problem.

[survivor999]

59. And don't forget this breed as well.

Very vicious too.

[AngryAmish]

60. I hope your parents have insurance

Lots of insurance. The dogs are know biters. Most states still have the one-bite rule. Those dogs are past that. Your parents are keeping known dangerous animals. In Illinois that is strict liability.

I would recommend a personal umbrella policy of up to $1 million. That runs about $650-850 per year. That is cheap when compared to losing their house and all their savings.

[Roon]

84. I know!!

I don't know what my parents are thinking, they are very intelligent people. It just doesn't make sense to me.

[donsu]

61. I wouldn't trust a Weimer for a second (spent 20 yrs. dog training)

not a stable breed

[Roon]

86. I concur

eom

[Recursion]

64. You think dogs are bad?

Ever had one of *these* guys go crazy and try to peck your eyes out?



These creatures are a menace, and must be stopped.

[grasswire]

65. the Dog Whisperer says...

...that once a dog has bitten a human or another dog that it is a "red zone" case and difficult to retrain. I suggest that you get his video and watch it. You might get some hints from the way he deals with aggressive dogs.

[janx]

66. YOU'RE JOKING, RIGHT?

Please tell me that you're kidding.

[Roon]

85. No, I am dead serious

I personally know 10 Weims and I wouldn't trust any of them around kids or visitors for that matter.

[janx]

68. Doesn't he look mean and vicious?

:rofl:

These weim pups are fighting to death, their eyes not even all the way open yet!

[Rex]

70. How big do they get pound wise?

Almost had one, it was a stray but another relative took it. Not that I need another animal in this house.

Very handsome dog, have a noble look to them. Are they hunting dogs by tradition?

[janx]

74. It varies. I've seen males near 100 pounds, but mine is

60 pounds. Females tend to weigh less. One hundred pounds is pushing it for a weim, and I'd guess they were never meant to be that big. They need a lot of exercise. Ours is a wonderful trail dog and behaves very well off-leash. We socialized him early, so he gets along well with humans and with other dogs.

Weims are hunting dogs, but unlike most other hunting dogs, they're not to be kenneled. They crave human companionship and expect to experience life in all of its aspects right along with their humans.

My daughter and I recently adopted a golden retriever/siberian husky puppy from the Humane Society, and Huck is very good with her.

Weims are not for the inexperienced dog owner and need to go to obedience school as soon as possible (just as other large dogs do). This is not because they are vicious; it's because they tend to be headstrong and will take the lead (getting into trash, getting overly rambunctious, not coming when called, etc.) if no one else does. Weims are very beautiful, but those people who adopt them just for that reason end up at a disadvantage--and the dogs at a greater disadvantage. Most weim breeders screen people carefully before letting them adopt a dog.

The best web site about weims is here:

http://www.weim.net

Enjoy!

[Rex]

77. When I was 7, a golden retriever saved my life.

Her name was 'Lassie' and went beyond loyalty when it came to children. She would watch me and keep me out of trouble when mom wasn't keeping an eye on me. Smart smart smart smart dog. She took a bite from a rattlesnake for me at 7. The bite nearly killed her, but she survived and killed about 4 more diamondbacks before we moved.

Golden retriever/siberian husky, WOW! I bet that is a awesome looking dog. Does she have husky or retriever hair? Great site!

[janx]

80. She is gorgeous, and I'm so glad you asked about her!

Here are a couple of pics. She is darkening by the day and her husky markings, now ghosted through her golden coat, are becoming more distinct.





Here she is today with the weim:




She's about 12 weeks old.

[Rex]

83. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Very very cute. That 2nd pic...absolute cuteness! I wish more people would look into adopting animals from local shelters. So many are putdown everyday. :(

[AngryAmish]

89. What a cute doggie!

[Roon]

87. How many wiems do you have? eom

[hedgehog]

69. It sounds as if your parents were breeding the wrong dogs.

Everyone always assumes that individual breeders know what they are doing, but here is a case of people breeding dogs with bad temperaments. Even worse, they won't recognize what they are doing and probably told all their customers what good dogs the parents are! My guess is that the breed became popular because of the photos by William Wegman. When a breed gets popular, the prices go up and standards go down.

[insane_cratic_gal]

71. I got bit just a month ago by a lab/newfoundland

suppose to be the most docile animals! But he tore pad right before thumb up pretty good. I was just reaching over to pet him and he lunged for my hand.
He's gone after two neighborhood kids(at their faces)and my husband (just last week). I was the first one to be bite of course. She still has him, and she has him around a 8 month old crawling/walking falling grabbing baby boy.

Last week we went after my husband. I use to allow my daughter over there.. NO MORE. He's badly socialized, he's always couped up, he's never walked and hes often left unattended for hours on end in the backyard. I'm not excusing his behavior only verifying, I think its part of the reason he's become so aggressive. He's always in the home and all 3 incidents have happened there.

I'm little prejudice atm about dogs that bite given it wasn't long ago I was bitten by one.

So they shouldn't be around children if the attack over attention, given that kids require it 24/7

[FlaGranny]

93. I would never, ever reach out to pet any

dog unless he and I knew each other very well. Your best and safest bet with any dog is to ignore them completely while (as Cesar Millan says) projecting confidence. I've always done that pretty much instinctively.

At one point I was trapped by an aggressive pit bull running loose in my front yard (he was between me and my door) and managed to intimidate him and he ran off. I did it by throwing up my arms, taking a step toward him, and "growling" visciously. I'm glad it worked, because it wasn't a plan - it was a reaction.

[insane_cratic_gal]

94. I had met the dog on several other

occasions, I even said his name has I reached out with my palm raised up because I was told that was an least threating gesture. His tail was wagging lol!

He's gotten loose before I've brought him home.

I can take some blame for being an idiot and showing an interest in a dog I thought I knew, but his confinement for the last year and being unsocialized and couped up has sent him psycho I think.

[FlaGranny]

97. Some dogs are like that.

My sister and her husband adopted a little terrier type dog and nobody could touch it except them. They warned everyone. The dog would act friendly, but if you tried to touch him he'd bite. Who knows what happened to the dog before they adopted him.

You're probably right about him going psycho. Poor thing is probably crazy with boredom and loneliness. It's really hard to understand why someone would bother to get a dog and then put it in the back yard and forget it.

A wagging tail doesn't always mean a dog is friendly. It can just be nervousness. Watch how stiffly and how high the tail is held. Also the dog's head and ears should not be held high. Both show aggression. Also watch out for fear - tail between legs and head slung low - cowering..

[Phx_Dem]

99. a tail high up and wagging

can be a sign of dominance as well.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

73. I thougt the post was about Canus Rovus.

[Marie26]

76. Also - Chihuahuas.

Cute little furballs w/a Napoleon complex.

[Karenca]

79. You beat me to it.......my Chihuauha

was the most vicious dog I had ever seen.

I was holding him when my aunt bent to kiss me,
and he attacked her on the jugular.

When my son was two years old, he picked Rocky up to kiss him
and Rocky bit his lip---my son is 22 years old now, and still has the scar.

After Rocky bit my son, I gave him to my father.

He would sleep with my dad every night, but my dad wore heavy mechanic's gloves to bed,
'cause Rocky would attack his hands while he was sleeping.

Rocky was so cute--he looked like a tiny Bambi. But he was so fucked-up.

[xultar]

88. I have 3 of the nicest Chihuahuas. I blame Chihuahua owners not the

dogs.

2 of my chis had even been abused and they are quite social and very adjusted. Even the vets they meet are surprised @ how awesome my Chis are.

I blame the owners of all dogs who bite.

[AngryAmish]

90. I was bite recently by a Chihuahua

The idiot bought his dog because he liked how Paris Hilton's was and wanted to be just like her.

The thing is utterly untrained. I got nipped a few times playing with the dog. It is a tiny dog but what the hell.

[hedgehog]

92. Maybe it's an escapee from the herd of feral chihuahuas

Does anybody remember that story from last year? There was a puppy mill in California that was shut down after the authorities discovered that about 200-250 feral Chihuahuas were running around.

[leftofthedial]

91. bring Korean cookbooks as gifts

[undeterred]

100. and we are sick of being overlooked!