111–120 of 233 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Please don't post a url corresponding to a search of YouTube videos as if it were a source backing up your argument.
The hundreds of videos of the said dogs attacking people, the detailed news reports and expert interviews are not a source to back an argument?
I'm faced with this decision now, and am leaning towards not neutering my pup. At the very least, I'll be waiting until he's one year old, when most of his sexual development has wound down. The vets I've been to have both encouraged I do it, at 6 months and at 9 months. And they have the financial incentive to do so. The whole practice feels archaic and somewhat cruel. I understand why people do it, but I wonder how…
I worked long and hard to find a dog with the temperament I wanted, and, have spent the past 2 years molding him into an amazing dog.
I decided, before I even got him, that I would only neuter him if it was absolutely required for his health or his behavior. At the two year mark (which is in January) I'm fairly sure that it won't ever be required for any kind of behavioral reasons. It hasn't always been perfect and I know at times things would be easier if I HAD neutered him.
I also didn't choose the easiest breed, he is a purebred Parson Russel Terrier
> The whole practice feels archaic and somewhat cruel
I'm not sure its archaic or cruel. For virtually all rescued animals, it's the best path.
> I wonder how much of it is societal/vet pressure rather than in the best interest of the dog/owner
1000% social and vet pressure. In my circle of dog people, who are more conscious than most, being a part of dog agility/sports, I still have people who get hostile when I say that I don't intend to neuter him unless it's absolutely required. They insist his behaviour will turn foul. At first "no way he doesn't become a terror by 1 year old", recently "wait till he's 2," soon I'm sure I'll hear about how awful having an uncastrated 3-year-old will be.
The pressure from my veterinarian was INSANE. Keep in mind this is a vet practice I've been using for over THIRTY years, I've had 9 dogs and 1 cat under their care. The owner/veterinarian who I've known all that time and is a close family friend was strongly in favor. Her associate who I see now as the owner is transitioning out of practice (I've been there that long!) was nearly hostile about my decision and flat-out told me I was wrong and tried to fear-monger me about how I wouldn't be able to control him.
> I understand why people do it
I, too, understand why people do it. It was hard work. It required lots of careful planning to find a dog with the right temperament. It STILL requires lots more work than if I just got him snipped. I will still do it again. It's not for everyone.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
pretty much any large dog can seriously fuck you up if they have a mind to. I've seen a chesapeake bay retriever crush a deer's head with his jaws. in the vast majority of cases, a properly socialized dog will not attack a human unprovoked.
Pretty much any mammal that is around 40+ lbs could seriously fuck that unarmed human up if it wanted or needed to. You’re not winning a hand-to-hoof fight with a deer or a mountain goat. The fact is that pit bulls are responsible for the super-majority of dog-attack-caused fatalities, at least in the USA: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in... Over a 30+ year span, pit bulls were responsible…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The inference is obvious, I assume the poster is looking for actual data.
I wonder how you would collect that data.
I think this author is missing a major piece of dog park social norms where spaying & neutering are concerned -- behavioral changes that (ostensibly) arise from de-sexing dogs, particularly in neutering males. Maybe they should ask these other dog park goers _why_ they are so interested in status of their dog's reproductive organs... In my own anecdotal experience, my male golden retriever (who I've spent considerabl…
Interesting the behaviour mellowed after the fact. When we did it for our rabbit - because he'd already become a little grumpy and aggressive bundle of hate - the vet said it's probably too late to revert the changes but at least he won't hump our feet. I'd assumed it's the same for dogs.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
https://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities-2019... Says Pit Bulls are responsible for 69% of the fatalities (not just of all attacks).
Define a “pit bull”. Go right ahead. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull
It is also true that many people who want a tough looking “pitbull” are terrible owners who want their dog to attack and to be aggressive as a form of personal and home defense and raise them accordingly.
As a US veterinarian, I hold a nuanced view of spay/neuter. Nevertheless, I generally recommend it as default for most pet owners, as it goes along with their expectations of what their pet's life will be like. People who elected to leave their dogs intact are often shocked by something down the line. 1. Pyometra. Dogs do not have menopause, but they may stop cycling. When they do they can develop a uterine infection…
Thank you for sharing this. Regarding behavior, do intact male dogs also attract aggressive behavior towards them? My (intact male) dog isn't aggressive, but a few times now other dogs have attacked him (not resulting in serious injury, but was super scary). I was told by a trainer that he could be emitting hormones that cause this behavior in other dogs.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You would get less down votes if you make substantial arguments as people will be more apt to engage in discussion instead of down voting and moving on.
I shared a YouTube link with hundreds of videos of pitbull attacks caught on camera. Watching one or two of those videos should constitute a substantial argument if someone has an open mind. From experience, I can spend a solid hour writing arguments and I'll get downvoted anyway by all the SJWs here who refuse to accept anything differing from they believe in. Even if one person decides to watch any of those videos…
For that matter, do you drive a car? I could show you a number of videos that demonstrate the danger of cars.
And so on. Maybe folks are down voting you because a collection of videos isn’t a good argument. Maybe they have a pitbull in their life that they love. Not everyone who disagrees with you is a closed-minded SJW. If you are open-minded yourself, you must accept that maybe they disagree with you because they don’t find your argument compelling.
I get why you are passionate about this. I understand you want to keep people safe. I am sure if we could discuss this over a beer, we could find common ground.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I wonder how you would collect that data.
7 of the best GPS dog collars and trackers to keep tabs on your pet https://mashable.com/roundup/best-gps-dog-collars/
Which reminds me of this Far Side cartoon: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/251990541629282256/
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Pretty much any mammal that is around 40+ lbs could seriously fuck that unarmed human up if it wanted or needed to. You’re not winning a hand-to-hoof fight with a deer or a mountain goat. The fact is that pit bulls are responsible for the super-majority of dog-attack-caused fatalities, at least in the USA: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in... Over a 30+ year span, pit bulls were responsible…
> around 40+ lbs Hell, I wouldn't even bet on a human against a properly motivated 15 pound house cat.
You better have 16+ CON!