Worst Nightmare.

[sniffsniff]

It's a scenario that's crossed my mind several times and as a result I seem to be constantly looking over my shoulder when walking the dog.............
Imagine coming face to face with what I loosely term a 'pit bull' terrier that is intent on ripping your dog apart.
I am sure that most of us would attempt to rescue our dog from the vice like grip that these particular dogs possess throwing caution to the wind knowing full well that we also could be mauled to death.
I have heard several methods that could be used to 'remove' these dogs but will spare everyone the graphic details.
How would you face the situation.

Ian.

[Jane S]

I'm not sure this post is at all appropriate for this forum particularly as the language used is rather emotive to say the least. I'll allow it as long as it doesn't descend into a rant against the bull breeds and sticks to sensible and non-controversial advice on breaking up dog fights generally.

Jane

[Petra]

Sorry sniffsniff - but are you worrying that all bull breeds are intent on attacking your dog ??    If you walk your dog constantly looking over your shoulder than all that will happen is that your dog will pick up on your fears, and you will end up with a stiff neck!!
Yes dog fights happen - between dogs of any breed, not just bull breeds - enjoy your dog and stop worrying over what might happen, as it will take all joy out of owning a dog!!

Also, I have to say - and will go hide afterwards - that views like yours regarding bull breeds will carry on giving these dogs their bad reputation and are not a very mature way of dealing with any problems you may face during dog ownership!!  After all - how would you feel if someone posted in a parenting forum something along the lines of : "how would you feel if you took your toddler to the park to be met with a cocker spaniel intent on attacking your child!!!"  Implying that all cockers suffer from rage just like all bull breeds attack.....

Sorry mods - but I felt compelled to say something - will go hide now until the fall out is over....

On a more sensible note - I have no idea how to break up dog fights, but in the first instance I would look to the other dog's owner before our dogs even got into contact....  You can tell a lot from a dog's temperament by looking at the attitude of the owner (in my humble opinion...)
I was once told by a vet never to get involved in a dog fight as the damage done to humans can be much greater.... but that would go against all of our instincts of protecting our dog, so hopefully someone has some good advice...

[sniffsniff]

Hey....you are a sensitive lot.
The impression I get so far is that the scenario I described does'nt happen.
Please don't imagine I am trying to be controversial.
By burying your heads in the sand and imagining the situation I describe does not happen is being naive in the extreem.
The kind of language that you accuse me of using is'nt meant to be confrontational with owners of any breed.....as a Yorkshireman I believe in telling it as it is.

Ian

[daunting]

I have heard several methods that could be used to 'remove' these dogs

Most of those methods are based on the 'myth' that these dogs lock their jaws - totally untrue and really people should read up on breeds they know nothing about before slinging mud  

ANY dog has the potential to be a threat to others regardless of size/breed - its the lack of training and proper socialisation by the OWNERS that is the biggest threat.

I have had to come between my 2 bitches - both cockers    when they have had a fight - its no less worse than any pit/staff/bull breed fighting.
Have been bitten in the process - totally my fault - and i honestly don't think there is a safe way ( for both dogs and humans ) to actually break up any fight without fear of injury.

And i most certainly wouldn't use any of the 'methods' employed by the uneducated idiots who use them.

Next week i am doing a transport run and i will have in my car a Staffy, a Lab X and a Lurcher  - guess which one has to be kept seperate from the others............

The Lab X  

*steps down off soap box*

[sniffsniff]

Oh dear, I knew it was a mistake having my OH & I with the same username! Please excuse him, when he gets a 'bee in his bonnet' about something there's no stopping him!!  

Username change coming up for me!  

Mary.

[daunting]

Hey....you are a sensitive lot.
The impression I get so far is that the scenario I described does'nt happen.
Please don't imagine I am trying to be controversial.
By burying your heads in the sand and imagining the situation I describe does not happen is being naive in the extreem.
The kind of language that you accuse me of using is'nt meant to be confrontational with owners of any breed.....as a Yorkshireman I believe in telling it as it is.

Ian

[snapback]187691[/snapback]

Hardly think anyone is burying their heads, though maybe you should do some research and actually know what you are talking about before posting !!

[Magic Star]

I have heard several methods that could be used to 'remove' these dogs but will spare everyone the graphic details.

[snapback]187670[/snapback]

Sorry, but I find that line disturbing   I appreciate you have some concerns over what you would do "if" this situation occured, I can't honestly say what I would do, I would trust my judgement at the time and wouldn't dream of pre-planning can't see the point in it personally, but thats just my opinion

Just to clarify, any breed of dog can visciousley attack and maul another dog, our own breed included, which is why educating dog owners on responsible dog ownership is important!!

[Petra]

The kind of language that you accuse me of using is'nt meant to be confrontational with owners of any breed.....as a Yorkshireman I believe in telling it as it is.

Sorry sniffsniff, but the words 'ripping apart','vice like grip', 'mauled to death', 'remove' and implying that there are graphic details from which we have to be spared has imho nothing to do with being a yorkshire man (I was in a relationship with one for a long time) but more to do with whipping people into an anti-bull breed frenzy.....
Great for starting a fight  ::  but not so great for starting a sensible discussion...

[sarahp]

OK - I am supposed to be working but I have to put my four penneth into this one

Firstly as others have said it is not just the 'bull' breeds that fight.  We had a bad experience on our walk this morning (will post about it later as I need opinions  )it did not involve a bull breed.

Secondly your belief that EVERY bull breed you meet is likely to 'rip your dog apart' is a little OTT.  Is every terrier likely to nip your ankles or every golden ret likely to be really friendly??  Whole breed generalisations are at best ignorant and at worst an active attempt to discredit a particular breed.

Thirdly your assertion that by ignoring this impending catastrophe we are burying our heads and being niave in the extreme is ludicrous.  Yes dog fights happen but like most things in our society its only the bad news that sells therefore any incidents are often over reported and consequently blown out of all proportion.

Fourthly (and finally) your justification of being a Yorkshire man and 'telling it like it is' is yet another generalisation.  On what evidence have you based your theory, have you done considerable research and checked out the anecdotal stories you have heard about?  Or are you simply 'jumping on a band wagon'?  One that I hoped the wheels had fallen off?

[clairep4]

Eeek, another bull breed thread! I'm not a fan of these dogs as Bella was badly attacked by a bull terrier when she was 5 months old and has subsequently been attacked by 2 other bull terriers (twice whilst she was on the lead and this is what sparked off her onlead aggression).

She is now pretty aggressive to any bull terrier she meets so we have to try and avoid them but I don't think all bull breeds can be tarred with the same brush, I've met some really sweet ones and it's been Bella doing the attacking.

So this thread should be about ANY dog fight, IMO, regardless of the breed.

I have to say when Bella was first attacked I was completely hopeless  - a guy came and helped separate them but I have no idea what he did to do this.

I've since read that throwing a coat or blanket over the back of ONE of the dogs (not over their heads as this would make it even more stressful) can take their mind off the fight long enough to make them let go, but thankfully I've not had to try it!

[Annette]

Hey....you are a sensitive lot.
The impression I get so far is that the scenario I described does'nt happen.
Please don't imagine I am trying to be controversial.
By burying your heads in the sand and imagining the situation I describe does not happen is being naive in the extreem.
The kind of language that you accuse me of using is'nt meant to be confrontational with owners of any breed.....as a Yorkshireman I believe in telling it as it is.

Ian

[snapback]187691[/snapback]

I'm not going to enter the discussion on dog breeds/separating fighting dogs etc.

But, just out of interest: Do you have contingency plans for lightning strikes, earthquakes, out of control lorries bearing down on you etc?

[Magic Star]

But, just out of interest: Do you have contingency plans for lightning strikes, earthquakes, out of control lorries bearing down on you etc?

[snapback]187710[/snapback]

 

[sniffsniff]

But, just out of interest: Do you have contingency plans for lightning strikes, earthquakes, out of control lorries bearing down on you etc?

[snapback]187710[/snapback]

I think he should be more worried about the contingency plans he'll need to avoid his OH bearing down on him with a rolling pin!!  

Mary.

[sarahp]

But, just out of interest: Do you have contingency plans for lightning strikes, earthquakes, out of control lorries bearing down on you etc?

[snapback]187710[/snapback]

I think he should be more worried about the contingency plans he'll need to avoid his OH bearing down on him with a rolling pin!!  

Mary.

[snapback]187713[/snapback]