Dog attacks on humans? Nature or nurture?

Hi

With the continuing reportage of dog attacks recently - whether it be to the recent heat or anything else.

What are everyones thoughts on dog attacks on humans?
Is it a breed thing ?
Is it an upbringing thing?
Who is responsible ?
What should be done with the dogs involved?

Obviously I realise this is a delicate subject, particularly with the other thread relating to the child that was killed, however it got me thinking about the 4 different breeds named so far that this dog "allegedly was", and I wonder what the attitude is regarding why this type of thing happens?

My thought is this:
Any dog, regardless of breed, is only as dangerous as his/her owner allows it to be.
I know that my dog is great with kids yet not with other animals so "the breed" characteristic in that they were originally used for fighting doesnt apply, and also the fact that due to the amounts of Rotties/Dobes/staffs and pitbull "type" dogs that the papers like to refer to, that exist in this country - if it was a breed thing there would be numerous more attacks on humans than there is. i dont know the figures - but its common sense.

What are your thoughts?
dani

Good question and this is what I was thinking about in my compulsory dog training post. Teach people to bring up dogs correctly.

I am inclined to think that in the majority of cases it is down to the owners - I have known staffs and bull terriers that are as sweet as pie, but WHY does it always seem to be certain types of dogs that are in the papers? It was GSDs a while back, yet I grew up with one who was as gentle as a lamb.

I don't know the answer. Is it that certain breeds are often chosen by a certain type of owner who will enjoy promoting aggression in the dog and/or give inadequate training?

Do certain breeds require a more specialised training?

My friend has a wonderful staff who adores people. I couldn't imagine her ever turning. The only time I have seen it was when she was lying unable to move her legs and her owner tried to pick her up and the staff nipped her face. But she was in pain and frightened.

Another thought - in this particular case, could it have been down to some breeding problem in his line?

Oh, a Nature vs Nurture debate - this should be interesting

I think "a bit of both" :smt102

Genetics can play a part by either pre-disposing the dog to characteristics that in a pet environment lead to an attack or bite.

Genetics can also lead to personality disorders - "bad apples" that will never lead a "normal" pet life, and IMO are often better PTS rather than forced to tolerate human contact.

Nurture, or upbringing, is essential to ensure a dog is habitualised, and socialised, and learns what is acceptable and what is not. Failure to do this throughout a dogs life is entirely the owners fault.

Finally, IMO, the scare stories are reported ONLY because they are sensational - a large/powerful breed sadly does more damage than a terrier or a toy breed; but no matter how much damage is done by whatever breed - a dog that bites/snaps has stepped over the boundaries of acceptable behaviour and it MUST be addressed.

An owner who knows or suspects that their dog is untrustworthy in particular circumstances, or who exposes any dog to situations that could frighten or annoy them is responsible for the dogs behaviour. If a dog, in an entirely familiar environment, with no trigger factors, becomes aggressive - I do not think that the owner can be held accountable - but they are responsible for ensuring that it NEVER happens again.

Thats a good point Lucky star. We have had the Dobe, Rotty, GSD times, now we have the Staff/Bull mastiff types. There is no doubt different breeds gain popularity for one reason or another, and I think that SBT's have come in for a lot of bad publicity of late, but this seems only to make people want them more. With more being produced I think its fair to say there is a good majority bred for the wrong reasons, emphasis being put on a quick buck rather than temperament and breed character/conformation.
Dawn.

Heres an intresting link for you to look at

See how your own breed did.....http://www.atts.org/stats1.html

I dont think it is a breed thing at all it would be very silly to say so. The owners of a dog that has bitten should always be held responsible for any attack that has taken place, after all its not always the dogs fault.
And depending on the severity of the attack such dog should be put to sleep, aint no place in this world for biters especially ones that kill children.

You've put it better than me, Dawn.

bit of a sore subject but i believe that its the owners fault,, as with kids the way they are brought up has a great impact on their temperament,, however i do believe if a dog does become dangerous then yes it should be PTS unfair i know but the chance for this to happen again has to be avoided JMO but then i have a little boy so feel for his mother

I think it is an owner thing. JMHO but you want a dog to be nasty and it will, whether it be with people or other animals - it will. I am a great believer that if you socialise your dog, let it know its place in the pack it will turn out ok. All dogs rely on a pack leader, but if the dog is the leader then it will do what it wants. The dog will make the decision. And this is where it all goes horribly wrong. These people who get large powerful dogs to boost their egos just don't know what they are getting into. Have they done the research into the dogs? Have they went to shows to meet the dogs, spoke to breeders etc. I bet not. It will be a case of 'I like the look of that, so and so has one and it is a great dog.' Then they go off and purchase a lovely little puppy, spend lots of time with it, then it may start chewing and toileting the house, so it gets beat up, thrown outside. When its a bit older and the puppy phase has gone, you then see this muscular ego boost. And they train their dogs to be aggressive while trying to show them off. I have seen these types all over the place. And all they are doing is ruining breeds. A dog which could have been good, turns either, jittery and nervous or just pure aggressive. (Fear biters can be just as bad.) I don't think there will ever be a system where people will train their dogs or go to training for owners. Nor will they pay a dog licence or register their dogs. Its a sad situation.

Sarah

Why is it always the OWNER... that gets the blame. Yes I agree there are many bad owners out there........ But i also think Breeders have to take some responsability....... I have 2 dogs of the same breed, from 2 different breeders, 1 is as daft as a brush, with everyone and everything, the other is a wonderful dog in every way except for her aggession with other dogs, both have been brought up the same by me,and socalized the same form the time i brought them home, so is it my fault that 1 has problems........ could it not be that the breeder who is looking to produce their next show dog and puts 2 dogs together regardless of their temperaments, but because they meet the bred standard, and they may produce there next champ.

I know of a young lady who bought her show puppy ( wont say what breed) from a top show kennel.... Sire was a champian , by the time the pup was 6 months old it was so aggressive to people/dogs... had bitten many times, she ended up having to have the pup put to sleep, very destressing for her.

Turned out after talking to people, that the Sire of the pup was the very same and had bitten many a judge....an in the end was told not to bring it to shows, but he goes ahead and keeps useing him for stud.

Iwould have loved to have had puppies from Millie but because of her "dominance issuses" i took the decision to have her spayed.

Dont get me wrong I am not putting the blame at anyones door, and there are many a good breeder out there......but there is also some bad ones, as well as bad owners.