Re: [PyrNet-L] responses to posts

[Joan Ziehl <joan@ziehl.com>]

I've stayed out of this one so far, but would like to offer some
comments now.

I think that Mitzi meant well, and discussed what maybe *she* would do.
No decision is made easily.  But in defense of Mitzi, she has stated
many times that she prefers very submissive dogs to fit into her home
enviroment.  So the idea of a dominant/aggressive dog to her is not what
she wants, and therefore suggested first to take the dog back to the
breeder, then she might put the dog down.    Nothing at all wrong with
that in my mind.

On the other hand, if one was new and came onto either list and did not
know Mitzi, I could see where some may take her advice as to put the dog
down.  It does sound harsh, and who wants to have visions of fluffy
little cute 10 week old puppies being put down?  Not me. 

Either way, I think both comments are valid. Mitzi's for what she would
do, and Carol's for what she thought was a careless statement.  

As has been stated, this is just an internet list.  Not life or death. 
If one of us told everyone to jump off a bridge, I think there would be
very few takers <g> (I hope).  You must listen to all advice/posts, then
do what you feel you must.  By following some of the advice, or
furthering your own education by going to a vet, or animal trainer, or
animal behaviorists. 

OK, that was my 2 cents.  Actually close to 6 cents, but whose counting
<g>

Joan
> 
> On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 09:24:03 -0400, Carol Brescher Boyle wrote:
> 
> >Yes you have a right to an opinion. But your opinion was offered
> >to someone looking for assistance in dealing with a 10 week old
> >puppy with a discipline problem. This person wanted help.
> >There were some excellent, carefully thought out posts about
> >dealing with the problems with this puppy. Yours was not among them.
> 
> <sigh> I didn't tell her to put the puppy down. I offered other
> suggestions. At the end, I said that IF IT WERE ME I would put her
> down. Now-that's assuming she were truly aggressive and not just
> "puppy dominance". My post is copied below. I think you've read other
> recent posts and assumed I jumped in and told her to put the puppy to
> sleep-not true. Now-tell me where did I TELL her to put the dog
> down..........???
> 
> -----My original post to her----
> If a young puppy like that has been growling, biting and drawing
> blood, she's aggressive. I'll go so far as to tell you to cut your
> losses and take her back to the breeder and let her deal with it. How
> can you love and form a bond with a dog that hurts you and your kids?
> It'd be hard. Otherwise you run the (probable) risk of her getting
> older and bigger and taking out a huge chunk of one of your kids'
> faces.
> That's what I think. You'll get lots of opinions and you're the one
> who has to live with the consequences either way. This may sound
> harsh to some people but I'd put her to sleep if it were me. A 100 lb
> aggressive dog is a danger to your precious kids. You have to protect
> them 1st, even though they may not see it that way right now. Like I
> said-you'll hear lots of opinions, mine is only one.
>   Mitzi Potter   OKC  OK
>   Pyrs-R-Us@popline.com
>   http://www.popline.com/quinnz/dogs.htm