opinions please - bull terrier ban at doggy day care

pawsies

What annoys me about day care places is that there is no control in place, it is free for all and any dog can mug another. Basically teaching them that they can be bullies and get away with it (and subsequently ignore their owners). Fights shouldn't be allowed to be started- all dogs should be supervised and if you can't supervise them all sufficiently then you need to limit the number of dogs, not the breed.
If I was running a day care I would have each dog individually tied to the wall with enough space between to relax and enjoy a kong. I would then do some one on one training for each dog whilst the rest were busy. I may do on lead interactions between dogs in the centre of the room with an assistant but these would be controlled greetings not free for all.

That is how they should be run. Teaching dogs what is acceptable to do, and how to settle. Not how to mug and be bullies!

aileth

Our daycare has about four members of staff for about 10-15 dogs. They all have one-to-one time, or played with, with lots of toys as a group. There's also a quiet area full of sofas when they get tired out. I've watched them play a lot and have to say I haven't seen any bullying behaviour from any of the dogs there.

adouglasmhor

GBNI wrote: »

This is what I've always been lead to believe as well. They bite, they hold and they mean it. You hear a lot of trying to break up fights involving these breeds and the dog needs to be beaten (I have even read stabbed!) to get it to drop.

Not saying it's all true, but could be a deciding factor.

As for Shar peis, it could well be that you just don't see them as much? So they perhaps haven't considered them as a breed they don't want.

To get a bull breed to drop you need to grab both back legs and walk backwards - keeping control at both time so when it does release you have enough control it can't turn on you. To get 2 to disengage you really need two of you to take one each though I have heard of tying one to something.

I hope I never have to do it again, but the last time I broke up a dogfight it was an american bulldog and a cairn terrier, and I lifted the buldog up in the air with it's harness. (after slapping it and forgetting I had a poo bag in my hand from one of my own dogs, not the best experience of my life).

Tashatutuw

D&DD wrote: »

I know some holiday places now ban certain breeds too although they are supposed to be dog friendly.

I was going to say this - we have a rottie and took our dogs on holiday last year. I called 3 places and was told it was fine to take the dogs until I mentioned one was a rottie and they refused to accept them with no reasoning 'we just don't take them'. I suspect this is because they feel they will get trouble between her and other dogs.. :mad:

GBNI wrote: »

I own a lab x rottie and many people will stroke and talk to her, ask her breeding and when I say what she is they're like oh, rottweiler. And a lot back off

As I say, I have a rott as well and she LOVES people - I have to block the door off if someone knocks as she wants to go running out to greet them and nobody seems to like that..

We recently had a 'home sales rep' come over who spent about 45 minutes talking about how much she loved Kiva and asked what breed she was (...duh) and when I said rottie she looked terrified.. I just told the woman she was the same dog 10 minutes ago so why are you scared now? She didn't have an answer...:(

I suspect the blanket ban is down to public perception of the dogs and the perceived 'reputation' they will get by taking them. I think its ridiculous - its no secret that of my 3 dogs the poodle is the one I don't trust!

adouglasmhor

When I was in the army an American Air force unit near us had a couple of standard poodles as guard dogs, they were very agile as well as clever and did the role a Malinois is used for nowadays.

We used to spoil them given half a chance.

meritaten

there are other breeds that will 'finish' fights in certain circumstances, Dobermans, GSDs, Rottwielers - the list goes on. its unfair to single out 'bull' breeds. there are also others who will happily 'start' fights. Yorkies are quite aggressive. so are Jack Russells . Even tiny little Chihuahas (sorry, cant spell the name) can be very vocal and aggressive.
It ISNT the breed - its the dog and the owner and how socialised the animal is.
The grooming service I used with my springer used to pick her up in the morning and drop her off at tea time. once she had been 'done' she was let out into their huge garden to play with the other dogs. a variety of dogs. she loved going to the 'furdressers'. any aggressive dog they said they kept in the 'run'. and the dogs were supervised at all times.

Lieja

MallyGirl wrote: »

try owning a Malamute (or 2) after all the press coverage about the poor 6 day old baby left alone with dogs that died (they had bought the Malamute off a bloke in a pub apparently). Most people think mine are huskies but if they ask and you say Malamute then their faces just shut down.

I was talking about this to OH just this morning, specifically about the reactions my malamute boy gets in comparison with our (now deceased) American bulldog girl.

Women love my boy, and will run across busy roads to come and have a look at him and ask if they can stroke him. Women wouldn't come near the slobbery bulldog!

Men, on the other hand, loved the bulldog but are really wary of my mal. One bloke yesterday took one look, grabbed his staffy and backed into a fence telling me that my dog looked like he was going to tear him to shreds! OH's brother is also terrified of my mal and won't allow him in the house!

Just to add - my lovely boy has a very sweet nature, never shown any aggression and is always on his lead, so I have no idea what looks scary about him! That being said, I'm a girl so I would think he's lovely