It's not always that simple and things can go wrong easily but I do believe we should always try to find the root of the issue and work positively from there...and if we can't do it then we should seek help. We pay vets fees, grooming fees, buy all sorts of products for our dogs but seem reluctant to hire professional help a lot of the time. . .this isn't aimed at you, just something I have observed. People often ask me for help with their dogs and I am by no means an expert. I was an APDT accredited trainer but let my membership laps when I moved away for a while, of I suggest that their dogs needs are beyond my expertise,and give them names of who they can go to, very few of them make that next move; instead they just try to manage their dogs issues. In the long run it would be so much more beneficial for them and their dog if they had professional behavioural help.

I just think that because legislation has demonised them that if they were made legal again it would be green gard to start churning out litters and we would end up with the same issue we have with so many staffies in rescue at the moment. A soon as people who wanted them as status dogs realised that pit bulls are just normal dogs too, or they couldnt handle the dog they turned them into, they'd start getting rid too.

The other thing I wonder is, if pit bulls are made legal again would numpties start looking for more 'dangerous' dogs...as in dogs that they perceive to be or look dangerous. It's a tough one....and they should never had brought in BSL.

Hi Catrinsparkles

I did struggle alone with my boy - he was a rescue that came to us when he was about 18 months old, after being found as a stray and kept in kennels for 6 months.

We were told he was very good with other dogs and at first he was. I think we made the mistake of allowing him to play with any dog. Some of the dogs were rough players and I think it unnerved him. One day he had a severe punch-up with black labrador - the dog didn't need veterinary treatment so we assume he had exercised some bite inhibition. Quite rightly this freaked the owner out and we promised her that we would muzzle him. I studied the videos online and introduced him to a muzzle which he accepts quite happily.

Somebody said to me today that my dog tolerates dogs but doesn't like them. Sometimes he will appear to want to play, sometimes he ignores them and pretends they're not there, and sometimes his posture stiffens and then I know he is going to go.

I did seek the help of a behaviourist who introduced me to BAT and LAT which I exercise with him all the time. I am not confident that he'll ever get over it and in the meantime he is muzzled.

Didn't really mean to rattle on for quite so long! I guess I don't really see how the root of the issue can be revealed and cured.

But I think you have started down the road of doing that already, which is great! Not every dog can love other dogs but we can teach them to tolerate/ignore/relax in their presence....how ever near or far they can tolerate. Also deaing with a rescue dog is always a bit on an unknown quantity isnt it. I think what I mean is a lot of people misunderstand their dogs behaviour preserving it to be aggressive or dangerous when it might just be frustrated or excited...and therefor don't give them the change be the normal dog off lead.

I used to love watching the behaviourist I worked for doing assessments of dog aggressive dogs. He would do all the preliminary stuff first, asking questions, meeting the dog, then one of his stooge dogs would be brought in.....with the result of the dog being treated going berserk, and to all intense and purposes looking extremely aggressive. He would watch it for a while, try a few distraction bits and pieces and them (obviously only when it was clear to him that this dog was not trying to kill the other dog ) tell the owners to drop the lead the next time the dog shot to the end. Lots of the owners were shocked and adamant their dog would attack the other one...but...as soon as their dog realized they were not being held back their whole body language changed, the barking stopped....they retreated behind their owners and started sniffing the floor and doing other passive distracting body language. Obviously the owners would then would be given a full understanding of what went on and what steps to take.

I'm waffling now lol...but do you see what I mean, many of those dogs behaviour would have continued to get worse if their owners hadn't sought advice and just continued managing them as an aggressive 'dangerous' dog. Sarah Fishers Tellington touch can turn a dog with lots of issues into a relaxed dog thanks is much calme and happier and open to learning. There is so much positive help available if only people would access it.

I personally don't believe the DDA has achieved anything.

People are still being attacked and even killed, by dogs of all breeds. The only difference is now innocent dogs can be destroyed too, taking up resources which could be used to monitor and support owners of potentially dangerous dogs, as well as putting families and their pets through hell.

I also would not want to see the breed bans repealed overnight, but it could be gradually, ie. allow rescues and private owners to register potential type dogs voluntarily.

I still maintain the emphasis needs to be on education and some kind of incentive for owners to want education... what that is I don't know.

I completely agree x

Hi Thoughwhat I find strange,is that television,does not help by constantly showing people who may have little knowledge of dogs,the sort of training that could be harmful,as all dogs are differant,and surely all training should relate to the dog involved.Why cant they show real trainers,who not only traain the dog but really listens to the owners.crystalgirl

Because humans want to see quick dramatic results...and dominance based methods seem to give this....but don't really.

All dogs are difference but modern methods suit all dogs...regardless of breed or type. Their is no excuse for punitive methods. Apparently Jordan Shelley will be back on the one show soon explaining what has happened to his view and training methods after there was the outcry of him using dominance based methods on there before. Credit to him for crossing over from the dark side and educating himself...and fingers crossed he manages to bring more dominance based trainers into the light too!

Hi So do I ,Dominance is not only a dog thing it also happens with us, it has taken a while but now they realise that they cannot use that across the board being a battered wife,I was told it was just dominance,he went to Anger Management,eventually thankgod realised it was psychological and I then had a team,trying to turn him into a large baby by using lithium,although I wasnt being attacked as often,when he had one of his attacks couldnt see when or why.But what I am trying to say at Chiswick Refuge every woman there thought it was due to dominence,and tried very hard to become invisible,because in those days the victim was often blamed for pushing the right buttons.But now they are more enlightened crystalgirl

Hi It was quoted in the paper,but as I said couldnt find out where this law originated from, I have searched Animal Welfare Act Dangerous Dog ect ect,it may be a local bye-law,the sort if you drop litter you get fined.crystalgirl