Does He Bite?

**ParNone** · 05-08-2003, 11:57 AM

Unfortunately I think a lot of people have had bad dog
experiences, which is why they're so antsy. I get asked
that question even with Murph and Maddie and their whole
body language, when they see people, just screams out
friendly. But still people are wary.

I had a cable guy about have a coronary, when he walked into
my bedroom and Maddie was loose on the bed. He stopped
dead in tracks and asked if she'd bite, even though her tail
was wagging a mile a minute at him and he outweighed her
by at least 200 lbs. I reassured him that he didn't have anything
to worry about. That she might lick him to death, but she
wouldn't bite and also that she was blind and wouldn't jump
down off the bed, even to lick him. I could tell he still looked
really nervous, so I picked her up and took her off to another
room, so he could get the work done in peace.

Par...

**ramanth** · 05-08-2003, 12:10 PM

I admit I prefer the question, "Is your dog friendly?" to "Will it bite!?"

I've even had people hold up their hands and snap, "I don't like dogs!" when they see Kia.

Purely an instict reaction on their part but it ruffles my feathers.

Originally posted by mugsy
Amy, I had the same thought that maybe the guy had been bitten, but geez c'mon what kind of moron would take an aggressive dog to a busy park?

You'd be surprised.

Some people brought two aggressive dogs to the Dog Park late in the evening just as I was leaving. One was on a leash and muzzled but the other they let go right away and of course it went right after Kia.

She ran and dodged and the dog ended up hurting itself (twisted ankle I think) and went bawling back to it's owners. I saw everything but they, being behind bushes, did not and I was sure they'd blame my dog for hurting theirs.

Then after the fact... no "sorry" at all.... they ask me if anyone else is in the park because their dogs don't like other dogs.

Stupid morons. I can understand taking your dog to a park late before it closes when there is likely going to be no other dogs, but you should at least keep it on the leash until you know for sure.

**Logan** · 05-08-2003, 12:16 PM

Mom's response is just what I was thinking!!

Am I showing my age or what???

Actually, I have a different problem, which I why I don't take Honey to public places where there are strangers. She's a Golden Retriever, and everyone, kid and adult, assume that she is sweet and friendly (as one would expect from a Golden), but she's not. She's nervous and get very upset around strangers and I don't trust her to not bite in a strange situation (although she never has bitten anyone). I do understand your frustration, though, Amy, and taking a more positive approach would have been much better! At least he asked, though, which many thoughtless people don't do in my experience.

Logan

**Cheshirekatt** · 05-08-2003, 12:20 PM

I think it's ridiculous that people would take aggressive dogs to a part. Sheesh....where is people's common sense? Joxer I can take anywhere.

Wilma is fine because she's only 40 lbs and if it comes right down to it I can always pick her up. She's only border-line dog aggressive. Buford on the other hand rarely gets to go for walks because there are so many people around here that don't obey the leash law. It's too bad. All of my dogs however are terrific with people. I'm surprised Joxer hasn't wiggled himself right into the ground when he sees the school bus!

**kingrattus** · 05-08-2003, 01:51 PM

Rocky is an agressive dog, but we always took procautions when walking him. He was to be muzzled at all times & never went anywhere without Max. While hes with Max hes much more calmer & copies Max, if Max is up set hes upset, if Max is friendly hes friendly, etc. Rocky also had the prong choaker so there was noway on earth he could out power us. But the big park back home was somewhat busy during the summer time, but there is only 1 path & alot of grass, so we tended to stay on the grass about 40 feet away from the path.. Rocky never had an agression problem while he was with Max... Rocky looked up to Max, well rather down, rockys head was much higher then Max's hehehe

The only place we set rocky free was in the tennis court. it was fenced in & a large area to run.. but Rocky was still muzzled just incase he found a way out...