rottweiler at school gates - opinions?

mikey72

MrsTine wrote: »

I agree that if a dog is jumping up at other peoples kids etc then it shouldn't be taken and stood right by a school gate - BUT there is no indication that this dog has done any such thing!
Not being funny but a lot of the arguments are that dogs shouldn't be near the gate because they jump up and slobber/maul/kill children... slight generalisation or what??? Everyone sees my dog and thinks large GSD puppy when in reality she's a mix and about 4 years old and has issues. As a result I don't walk near the school when teh kids are about, I don't let her off leash when there are people let alone kids or dogs around unless she knows them and they have said it's ok... Now I know she wouldn't purposely bite a child - but she might easily knock one over or scare them because she's so bouncy. But if I had a very under control dog like the lady in this case seems to have then I would be quite affronted if I was told that people had complained about me bringing it to school to collect my child. Especially if it was as well trained as this dog.

And you can bring up the tragic attacks on children all you like or compare a dog to a snake or bear till the cows come home - the question was about this scenario - and I think that saying all dogs should be banned from within a mile of all schools at letting in and out sessions is getting a tad extreem.
I agree some dog owners should control their dogs better, but THIS dog was apparently well under control and not putting a paw wrong apart from breathing... The counter argument could be that more parents should keep their children under the same level of control and quite possibly on a leash!

It seems fair to compare them, as at least two peolpe have said they wouldn't want a snake outside the gate.
That appeared to be based on no great knowledge of snakes, just an unjustified phobia of snakes. Snakes have not actually been widely reported as biting/killing/maining anyone, so it seems a bit unfair to critisise anyone elses fear or dogs, justified or not, then do exactly the same.

bestpud

mikey72 wrote: »

It seems fair to compare them, as at least two peolpe have said they wouldn't want a snake outside the gate.
That appeared to be based on no great knowledge of snakes, just an unjustified phobia of snakes. Snakes have not actually been widely reported as biting/killing/maining anyone, so it seems a bit unfair to critisise anyone elses fear or dogs, justified or not, then do exactly the same.

The difference is I would simply ask the owner to step back if I felt the snake was a bit close for comfort.

But then, I'd do that if it were a dog too!

No need for a drama about it at all.

mikey72

bestpud wrote: »

The difference is I would simply ask the owner to step back if I felt the snake was a bit close for comfort.

But then, I'd do that if it were a dog too!

No need for a drama about it at all.

?

MrsTinks

mikey72 wrote: »

It seems fair to compare them, as at least two peolpe have said they wouldn't want a snake outside the gate.
That appeared to be based on no great knowledge of snakes, just an unjustified phobia of snakes. Snakes have not actually been widely reported as biting/killing/maining anyone, so it seems a bit unfair to critisise anyone elses fear or dogs, justified or not, then do exactly the same.

I actually have no feeling towards snakes as such - Other than they are far more instinctual animals than dogs - a constrictor will constrict because of reflex. I assume that you aren't suggesting it would be a venomous snake?
If it was a corn snake then I don't see the problem - other than the fact they wouldn't like the weather here in the UK and probably it would be seens as an animal welfare issue to take one out in the weather we're having here... oh and I haven't seen any leash trained snakes yet...

DevilsAdvocate1

bestpud wrote: »

Lol, I was thinking of wild snakes!

But actually, I'd be a tad wary if a parent stood at the school gate with a snake round their shoulders! :eek:

You will probably think I'm odd, but I wouldn't have a problem with someone stood at the gate with a snake around their shoulders. But I would have a problem with a dog approaching my toddler.

D.

orlao

mikey72 wrote: »

It seems fair to compare them, as at least two peolpe have said they wouldn't want a snake outside the gate.
That appeared to be based on no great knowledge of snakes, just an unjustified phobia of snakes. Snakes have not actually been widely reported as biting/killing/maining anyone, so it seems a bit unfair to critisise anyone elses fear or dogs, justified or not, then do exactly the same.

As far as I've read nobody has criticised the OP for her unjustified fear of large dogs . Yes, if you have a breed like a Rottweiler you have to accept that they will (unfairly in most cases) be regarded with suspicion and as a responsible owner I will always do my utmost to avoid making anyone uncomfortable. But to do that, I need to know that someone has phobia about my dog and since my mind reading skills leave a lot to be desired:rolleyes:, all it takes is someone to approach and politely ask.....simple, wouldn't you say? Obviously, if the dog hadn't been standing quietly on a loose lead, it shouldn't be there but the OP didn't say that.

Why is it so difficult to communicate politely with various people - 99% of the time you will be met with cooperation if you ask nicely, not "tell" someone, at least in my experience!

DevilsAdvocate1

borokat wrote: »

Quote: i actually laughed when i read the OP! if it was a labrador the OP would blatantly not have posted this! both working dogs with very similar temperaments, but people are so ignorant towards what they consider to be "dangerous" breeds!

Sorry i don't know how to quote properly

A labrador used to live in the house opposite mine when I was a kid and I was scared of it, it was big and used to bark a lot and come running over and bark. As a kid I was intimidated by it and used to avoid going outside when it was out. The owners could have just kept it on a lead as it used to run away and not respond to calls etc but I digress.
I am wary of all strange dogs, almost regardless of breed. Not all labs are perfect! although most I'm sure are lovely.

I had the exact same experience with a labrador and I actually changed the route I walked to school to avoid it. It added an extra half mile to my journey. They used to leave their gate open and the dog would go for anyone who tried to walk past his house. I think he saw the path as his. I also know I wasn't the only one to change the way they went to school.

D.

MrsTinks

DevilsAdvocate1 wrote: »

I had the exact same experience with a labrador and I actually changed the route I walked to school to avoid it. It added an extra half mile to my journey. They used to leave their gate open and the dog would go for anyone who tried to walk past his house. I think he saw the path as his. I also know I wasn't the only one to change the way they went to school.

D.

And as a dog owner I think that is totally out of order! No dog should be allowed to run loose like that - this is what gives all dog owners a bad name - the few that are irresponcible. In these cases I would have said a resonable response would have been to contact the community officer or if the dog was aggressive the dog warden - by allowing the dog to be out of control in public (and as soon as it's off it's property it's public) then it breaks the law... Not to mention that this is when dog bites are likely to occur.

fernliebee

I think any kind of dog should be kept away from the gate of a school as children have to walk directly past it, even just a metre or two back from the gate would cause less obstruction, and save those who are frightened from having to walk directly past. TBH even people should stand back from the gate as it's obviously a busy area at school finishing time, so if you are waiting, wait away from the gate.

In the summer we went to the beach with my DD who was 13 months at the time. We were walking down to the beach when a flustered woman asked if we had seen her dog, she had lost him. We helped her look for a while, as did a group of other people. She found the dog and grabbed his collar. About 20 mins later we were taking DD to look in a rockpool when this womans dog (a small terrier) came hurtling across the beach (which was supposed to be dog free in high season) jumped up at DD who, being as tall as the dog knocked her over and she cut her mouth on the rocks. The woman sauntered off with a breezy 'sorry' over her shoulder. A couple who had seen the whole event were shocked that she hadn't even come to check if DD was OK, I was seething as the woman obviously had no control of the dog, had lost it once and still hadn't bothered to put it on a lead. With people like this having dogs, is it any wonder that dogs get a bad name. Luckily, although she was a bit wary of dogs for a month or so, lot's of friends have dogs, so she soon got over being scared of them, I would have hated such a selfish, silly act to make her frightened of something she had previously loved.

I am of the opinion (same as with children) that there aren't bad dogs, just bad owners. I also think breed has little to do with aggression, you can have good and badly trained/ behaved dogs of any breed. I think the dog that inflicts the most bites is actually the labrador anyway. That said, those with large dogs should consider that these may well be more scary than a smaller dog, and like others have said (same as kids again ) just because you think yours are great, doesn't mean anyone else is interested.

ali-t

katglasgow wrote: »

Although an animal lover I am very squeamish and overly sensitive to large dogs. SO I was distressed today to see a woman standing at the school gates holding a very large rotweiller. She was on the pavement so just outside school property but only just and IMHO did not have a very firm grip on the dog's lead. It is a huge powerful looking dog. I felt really uncomfortable walking thru the narrow gateway past her with my 6 year old child and toddler in a pushchair. I didnt say anything, but wondered if I should have/could have? I dont know the woman personally, but have seen her about and kind of have a feeling I might have got a bit of lip back (dont think she is a verr clever lady either). But thats hardly the point - to me it just doesnt seem appropriate to be sttod right at the gates of a primary school witha huge rottweiler! By the way - I have just joined the school parent council, so perhaps I should also feel a bit responsible for other parents too?
I would really appreciate opinons from others if they would have felt put out / what I could do?
Thanks!

The dog was probably more scared of you and your potentially gun toting, knife weilding children. :rolleyes: The chances of the dog breaking free and mauling your children is as likely as your toddler and 6 year old being armed and dangerous and FWIW given that your children go to a school where the parents aren't very clever (your words) there is more chance of your children becoming drug dealers or murderers than of that rottie attacking you and your children.

Don't believe all the hype about dogs or you may have to start believing all the hype about the youth of today.