Comments about ‘Aggression in dogs can lead to tragedy’

Too many people get a dog or puppy..and leave them in a pen or tied up...or even just in your backyard. A dog will only be as good as you make it. If you won't let your dog in the house to bond and socialize with your family you are asking for trouble. If you can't give that dog even a few minutes at day to work with it..DO NOT get one. Dogs need to be part of your family, with you ..not just in your yard. And when you rescue a dog...you cannot know how it was raised, or its behavior. If you a serious about getting a dog, you research breeds, find a good breeder(I prefere breeders that only breed one female at a time as it is too hard to give attention to too many dogs)Raise and keep your own puppy!!It is really not that hard to be a good dog owner.

Dogs are dogs. No child should be on a dog's eye level, the wrong look can trigger a bite. Dogs, even the nicest dogs, think like dogs and not humans. They never belong alone with a child. I love dogs and kids. I understand the difference. When my grandkids come to town, I send our dog, that I love, to visit the dog hotel. He is a dear, but didn't grow up with kids and our grandkids have never had a dog. So I want to protect both parties.

Well, you would have no one adopt a stray--ever--and would consign thousands upon thousands of abandoned dogs to an undeserved death. And, I'm sorry, but that is an absolutely ridiculous stance. I adopted a dog who was a year and a half old and she's one of the sweetest things I've ever met. And she's that way with everyone--LOVES people; especially kids. Please do not generalize and make people who might not know better think that it's an unacceptable risk to adopt a shelter dog. If you spend some time with the dog before taking it home so you have a good idea what you might be getting (take the dog for a walk, give it some commands, etc.) and then socialize it and train it and LOVE it after you bring it home, you can end up with a wonderful, social pet. Buying a puppy from a breeder is not the only way to have a loveable and safe dog in your home. And you should never suggest that it is.

There are millions of dogs in the country and really very few serious attacks. It is a fact most of those attacks were made by back yard dogs that got out...not extremly socilized family pets!!I agree with dog lover that many people have pets that should not. That is why so many end up in shelters. Don't shelters have puppies? I believe they do...and for a family with kids the best bet is raise a puppy with them...but single folks..or people with older kids a shelter dog could work great, but there is a risk adopting someone elses dog! But of course it is not an unacceptable one. I don't believe anyone said it was. But don't feel bad if you choose not to adopt from a shelter...it is a pesonal choice.

I believe someone did insinuate that you shouldn't get a dog from a shelter because, as they said, 'you cannot know how it was raised or its behavior.' That person then specifically stated that "if you're serious about getting a dog...find a good breeder." And that is a ridiculous statement.

You're right, though. It is certainly a personal choice as to whether to pay a breeder hundreds or thousands of dollars for a dog or a puppy who won't love you any more than a shelter dog or to choose to save a life by adopting a dog at the shelter.

Frankly, I think I know where people who love dogs the most acquire them...in spite of what people who claim to be dog lovers while discouraging shelter adoptions have to say about it.