People and dogs....RANT
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RobinKay6573 · 07-06-2005, 11:24 AM

Our fireworks in Lansing were postponed until last night because we had a terrible rainstorm on the evening of the 4th of July. Last night I went down to watch the firworks and took Belle. It is good for her to get use to crowds, other dogs and loud noises. The fireworks do not faze her because I desensitized her to them back in the spring (they have fireworks at the ballpark on Friday and Saturday evenings and I would take her down to the park...outside the gates of course and let her experience what it is like) so I knew she would be fine. We walked around a bit and waved our way through the crowds. She is a puller but will listen to most commands if I hold a liver treat out for her. She will do just about anything for food!

We worked on "sit", "down" "stay" and "look". She hasn't even close to mastered "heal" and "no pull" but we are working on it. We encountered about 15 dogs...ten of them being pit bulls. I would gather up her leash make her "sit" or "down" and "stay" she would listen about 50% of the time (which is pretty good for a 18 month old puppy)!

As we approached the river I noticed a pit bull and a couple sitting on a picnic table. The pit bull got up and ran toward Belle dragging it's leash. The dog sized Belle up and lunged. My heart jumped to my throat and adrenaline hit me. I pulled Belle away she was snarling at the pit and was ready to fight. The girl came over grabbed her dog's leash and pulled her dog away. I yelled, "Oh my god put your dog on a leash." She replied, "He IS on a leash." then I said, "Well you might want to think about HOLDING ON TO IT!" and I walked away and made Belle "sit" and "stay" to gain her attention. As we walked away the pit was growling and snarling at Belle who now had her attention focused on me. That could have been a very bad situation...very bad. Belle might be a smaller scruffy dog but don't let that cute face fool you if she ever got into a fight with another dog she would kick it's butt...even a pit bull! She would NEVER bite a human on purpose (unless they were hurting me) but she would go after another dog that challenges her in a second. However I have control over her and I know her limits and her personality. It just bothers me when people are so lackadaisical about their dogs and think that they can just loosely hold on to their leashes when there are so many other people and dogs around (especially a pit bull)! Belle is very well socialized (she goes to dog daycare 3 or 4 times a week). She plays very rough (she IS a terrier!) but she knows limits although she does need to be reminded every now and then! Belle is still learning (again she is only 18 months old). Next fall I am going to go to formal training classes with her. Hopefully we can work on leash pulling and listening 100% of the time. Sorry this is so long…thanks for listening.

beths3 · 07-06-2005, 11:43 AM

That's very annoying. We have a part pit and would never let her off leash where other dogs are around. I'm glad nothing bad happened.

Beth

RobDVC · 07-06-2005, 11:55 AM

I have no tolerance for people who don't take proper care of their animals or proper responsibility. I would have looked for a police officer. Glad that nothing bad happened to you or Belle.

KrisLuvsDisney · 07-06-2005, 12:01 PM

That was so rude of the girl! It is a good thing that you are a responsible pet owner! Glad nothing bad happened to you or Belle!

**cjadkins** · 07-06-2005, 12:36 PM

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I have no tolerance for people who don't take proper care of their animals or proper responsibility. I would have looked for a police officer. Glad that nothing bad happened to you or Belle.

[/ QUOTE ]

lauren-roxy · 07-06-2005, 12:36 PM

Glad that nothing happened to you or Belle. People need to keep dogs on a leash and actually hold on to it!!!

disneymom9092 · 07-06-2005, 12:39 PM

How awful! Irresponsible people should not have pets!

**rescuesk** · 07-06-2005, 12:56 PM

Oooh that makes me so mad!

A big part of pet ownership is responsibility! Glad that you and Belle were OK.

Dee161 · 07-06-2005, 01:30 PM

I am glad that everything turned out fine for you and Belle. I think it is terrrible that the pit bull was not being monitored properly. That girl was very irrisponsible and should take better care of her dog.

Momerath124 · 07-06-2005, 02:14 PM

I'm also glad that Belle is okay. Irresponsible pet ownership is really my pet peeve. There are more and more breeds getting a bad rap and I truly believe that it is the pet owner who should be to blame. We have owned large & small doggies and even pit bulls and always keep them undercontrol & on leash.
Good for you for telling that girl to keep a hold of the leash &

for the training you've already given Belle, I'm sure she will really enjoy more

they

to please

DawnDenise · 07-06-2005, 02:47 PM

We have the same issue with some owners in a townhouse about 3 doors down. They never put there dog on a leash and then yell at us when we come outside with Ana on her leash and they can't control their dog. It's amazing how inconsiderate and rude people can be. I feel ya!! I am glad that both you and Belle came out of it ok! Sounds like you are doing great with her training.

minemoz1 · 07-06-2005, 03:00 PM

Glad that nothing happened. It could have been a bad situation.

[ QUOTE ]
We have the same issue with some owners in a townhouse about 3 doors down. They never put there dog on a leash and then yell at us when we come outside with Ana on her leash and they can't control their dog. It's amazing how inconsiderate and rude people can be. I feel ya!! I am glad that both you and Belle came out of it ok! Sounds like you are doing great with her training.

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Do you have a townhome association? We have rules that state that all dogs must be leashed when outside. If not, you can report the people and they will be warned, then fined and then reported to animal control. If anything happened to you or your dog on common property, you can sue the association so they don't like to have dogs running loose.

DawnDenise · 07-06-2005, 03:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Do you have a townhome association? We have rules that state that all dogs must be leashed when outside. If not, you can report the people and they will be warned, then fined and then reported to animal control.

[/ QUOTE ]

They have been warned multiple times regarding the leash issue and the cleaning up of doggy do-dos (or lack thereof). We've made a written complaint to the board last week and are awaiting an answer.