Rachael Ray's dog...

Spazzy

When did a a dog going after another dog suddenly mean that it might attack a human

I saw this earlier today and it made me mad also, particularly because they are considering euthanizing the dog. They did mention training and that's good, especially when she has the resources to do it and euthanization shouldn't even have been a consideration.

I, personally believe that a dog that attacks another dog has a higher risk of attacking a human than a non-aggressive dog. I say this based on my personal experience with my first dog. After I got Abbie as a companion for him, when he was about 1 y.o., he was fine with her for a few days and then began attacking her out of nowhere - it was horrible. Then, he bit me....... severely on the right hand and I ended up in the ER, but left without being seen when someone told me that they could take him away if i was treated. Shortly thereafter he bit me again on the leg, breaking the skin, thru the comforter on my bed, while I was sleeping. I must have moved and bumped him w/my foot or something. I still have the scar on my leg and nerve damage in my hand. Both attacks on me were unprovoked, as were the attacks on Abbie. In his case I know that it had something to do with bad breeding.

Anyway.......... I hope they get help for the dog asap.

 Why is euthanasia not a consideration for a seriously aggressive dog? After living with one, I have to say, I always feared that something would happen, and I'd have to euthanise her before it was ready.

Yes, assuming that she's blood thirsty, and going to start mauling people is a bit of a stretch.... But this dog has caused serious damage to another dog. Ripping off an ear takes a LOT of force. Ears are pretty sturdy. 

jennie_c_d

 Why is euthanasia not a consideration for a seriously aggressive dog? After living with one, I have to say, I always feared that something would happen, and I'd have to euthanise her before it was ready.

 

Yes, assuming that she's blood thirsty, and going to start mauling people is a bit of a stretch.... But this dog has caused serious damage to another dog. Ripping off an ear takes a LOT of force. Ears are pretty sturdy. 

I didnt mean that euthanasia isnt an option, I just think its ridiculous that they're saying that just because shes been aggressive twords other dogs that she might attack a human, when the dog has never shown any human aggression... and that they are jumping right to the most extreme solution without looking into any other options. Plus, she said it was while the dog was with the dog walker... If the dog is aggressive twords other dogs, you'd think the dog walker would have enough common sense to keep her away from other dogs.  
The dog is an bully breed (Im not sure if shes a purebred APBT, but shes deffinitely a bully breed type) and DA is a common thing in the breed. Im dont know if the dog was rescued or if she got her as a puppy and just didnt socialize her, but whatever the case, they're acting like her DA is some horrible unheard of thing and theres no other choice but to have her PTS.
Whether Rachael Ray loves her dog or not, shes a TV star who makes a lot of money and Im sure she doesnt want the fact that she has "aggressive pit bull" (which Im sure Isaboo will be labeled as becuase people dont seem to understand that DA is different from HA and seem to think that any aggression at all means the dog is vicious twords everyone/everything) will hurt her image. Her own special brand of dog food she put out (Nutrish? not so much) shows she cares more about making a profit than for the dogs her food is for. When I first saw the dog food I was expecting it to be great (she always cooks stuff for her dog, always talking about eating healthy and it looked like she cared about her dog, so why wouldnt she make a healthy dog food?) But obviously it wasnt exactly what I expected when I saw it on the shelf at Stop&shop and Walmart...

She said that the dog has shown aggression twords other dogs before... and shes JUST NOW saying that they are "considering training" ???
If Rachael has all this money why is saying she is thinking of having her PTS instead of hiring a trainer... and why didnt she do it in the first place when they first learned about her DA?

I really cant stand idiot people... and in this case, the poor dog is going to suffer because of it. 
Whats worse is that, she has set herself up as a sort of advocate for pit bulls, and as a responsible owner. Now, she is going to be damaging the reputation even more of the breed she claims to care so much about.

Spazzy

When did a a dog going after another dog suddenly mean that it might attack a human?

 It doesn't.  On the other hand, it sounds like this dog might well attack another dog, and that's not an inconsequential consideration.  Don't get me wrong.  I honestly hope that they can come up with a safe way to manage this dog.  But, I do sort of get tired of the attitude that as long as a dog aggressive dog isn't attacking humans, that there is no need to be concerned.  I value my dog's life and well being, thank you very much, and I'd rather that my dogs  not be threatened by people keeping dog aggressive dogs if they aren't able to manage them.  And this dog has already bitten a human, albeit apparently not intentionally.  People do tend to try to rescue their dogs when they are being attacked, and so it is not uncommon for people to become colateral damage when a dog fight breaks out.  I hope this dog gets to live a long happy life where he can be safely managed, but not if it is at the expense of being a threat to other dogs, whether it is people aggressive or not. 

 ^^^^This^^^^

Living in NYC, I cannot imagine how hard it is to avoid other dogs, and give a dog a normal, healthy life. I'm sure it can be done, and if she were mine, I'd be conditioning her to a basket muzzle (would have long ago, in fact) so that she could be walked without causing damage. Most areas have dangerous dog laws that are 1-3 strikes, and you're out. If the dog continues causing damage, there likely won't be a choice for her owner.

Well, I don't think I have enough accurate information to even begin to have an opinion.  Like most cases of aggession, there can be many different factors involved and it's almost impossible to judge the situation based on what your may read in the National Enquirer or elsewhere.   As for Rachel Ray considering euthing her dog, it's always a personal decision and unless you've walked in someone else's shoes, it's best to give them the benefit of the doubt, IMO.  Statements can be taken out of context.  She seems to love her dog and is probably not educated on dog behavior.  Maybe she'll find a good behaviorist who can help her learn to manage her dog.  I'm going to reserve judgement.

JackieG

Well, I don't think I have enough accurate information to even begin to have an opinion.  Like most cases of aggession, there can be many different factors involved and it's almost impossible to judge the situation based on what your may read in the National Enquirer or elsewhere.   As for Rachel Ray considering euthing her dog, it's always a personal decision and unless you've walked in someone else's shoes, it's best to give them the benefit of the doubt, IMO.  Statements can be taken out of context.  She seems to love her dog and is probably not educated on dog behavior.  Maybe she'll find a good behaviorist who can help her learn to manage her dog.  I'm going to reserve judgement.

^^what she said.

LOL, I'm thinking this is going to be the next Dog Whisperer episode! 

buster the show dog

I value my dog's life and well being, thank you very much, and I'd rather that my dogs  not be threatened by people keeping dog aggressive dogs if they aren't able to manage them. 

I just had to interject here--I manage my dog aggessive dog quite well.  However, I cannot manage all the "non threatening" dogs that run up to her off leash.

 Too bad she didn't think this was a problem THREE years ago when it became very obvious the dog had aggression issues. I wonder how much training she has actually done with the dog? People drive me crazy with this sort of thing - dog starts to show aggression and every time it's a bit worse but the owner does nothing about it for years. An bad incident happens or maybe just one too many incidents happen, as is bound to happen. Next thing you know it looks like the dog will need to be PTS and nothing could have been done (must've just been a bad dog!).

 I know that it can be heartbreaking to have a dog that despite all efforts can never be even close to a "normal" dog. In this case though, the dog is a pit bull (untrained?) who years ago began showing aggression to other dogs and it became obvious it was serious aggression. Nothing is done and the dog's aggression continues to get worse. That is not exactly an unforeseeable problem.

 Maybe I m being too harsh. Maybe she has been working and working with behaviorists and despite all efforts the dog just gets worse and the article just didn't mention it. I have heard this story time and again from people IRL who have aggressive dogs and didn't seek help. How long has your dog been having this problem (resource guarding, dog aggression, human aggression)? "Oh ever since he was a puppy" or "I dunno a few years ago it started I guess". And you only just now decided that it might be good to talk to a trainer about it?

 Regardless it is sad that this is yet another strike against pit bulls. The public sees an owner who loved her pit bull, treated her well and still the dog, like all pit bulls will "turned". It is also sad that multiple dogs have been attacked by this dog through no fault of their own. Hopefully they don't become feraful or reactive because of it.

willowchow

LOL, I'm thinking this is going to be the next Dog Whisperer episode! 

 

Just what I was thinking.

willowchow

buster the show dog

I value my dog's life and well being, thank you very much, and I'd rather that my dogs  not be threatened by people keeping dog aggressive dogs if they aren't able to manage them. 

I just had to interject here--I manage my dog aggessive dog quite well.  However, I cannot manage all the "non threatening" dogs that run up to her off leash.

 

And you are living with the knowledge of who would be blamed if there WAS an incident...even though you have done your bit   I honestly couldn't even BEGIN to judge someone who was considering euth. as an option.... especially seeing as I can't see how a dog who has caused THAT much damage (ripping an ear off) being rehomed. 

JackieG

Well, I don't think I have enough accurate information to even begin to have an opinion.  Like most cases of aggession, there can be many different factors involved and it's almost impossible to judge the situation based on what your may read in the National Enquirer or elsewhere.   As for Rachel Ray considering euthing her dog, it's always a personal decision and unless you've walked in someone else's shoes, it's best to give them the benefit of the doubt, IMO.  Statements can be taken out of context.  She seems to love her dog and is probably not educated on dog behavior.  Maybe she'll find a good behaviorist who can help her learn to manage her dog.  I'm going to reserve judgement.

I'm with you here! 

And..   if I owned an aggressive dog of anytype I would be fearful of all situtions, dogs, adults, kids - she should be fearful and very acute to his actions.

Chuffy

willowchow

buster the show dog

I value my dog's life and well being, thank you very much, and I'd rather that my dogs  not be threatened by people keeping dog aggressive dogs if they aren't able to manage them. 

I just had to interject here--I manage my dog aggessive dog quite well.  However, I cannot manage all the "non threatening" dogs that run up to her off leash.

 

 

And you are living with the knowledge of who would be blamed if there WAS an incident...even though you have done your bit   I honestly couldn't even BEGIN to judge someone who was considering euth. as an option.... especially seeing as I can't see how a dog who has caused THAT much damage (ripping an ear off) being rehomed. 

 Not to downplay the dog's problem but ears being bitten off or ripped is actually a fairly common dog fight injury. Ears are probably the most easily damaged part of the dog in a fighting situation. That is why fighting dogs traditionally had their ears pretty well cut off in a "fighting crop". There was a Sibe that won BIS at Westminister who was missing a good part of one ear. I believe the story was a dog in the kennl next to him bit it off. I knew a Samoyed who had a sewn back together ear from the same thing. I saw GSDs fairly often at shows missing varying parts of their ears from dog fight or fence fighting injuries. A friend of mine just had one of her dogs rip another dog's ear and they weren't even fighting - they were mid-play and one turned to correct the other while running and caught her ear in the snap - the other dog now has only part of her ear on that side :(