Whose fault is it anyway? - Page 2

Maggie, maybe the dog was in a kennel and the Officer went out. Maybe a member of his family took the dog out for a walk and didn't tell the Handler. Maybe a child or teenager took the dog out with out the handler's knowledge or permission. Either way the handler will be held responsible. I can remember times when I was a teenager taking my dads car out for a ride without his knowledge or permission. Until I got caught, then I didn't do it again. We'll need to wait and see.

Agree with Prager. This is an unfurtunate incident that happened. But there are not enough information to fully blame the K9 and handler. It has not been stated that the K9 showed dog agression bevore nor said it anything about the spitz being leashed up appropriately. Being around a few spitzes and every single one of them displayed nervous dominant agression towards humans and other dogs. But dont want to stereotype here.

At the end its again a little cute dog against a big dog, and the blame ends up always on the big dog, no matter what. Yet every trainer or handler knows that there is alot of silent communication going on between two dogs already from a distance. What you get when you are close is the result of this communication. Control of your dog needs to happen during that communication, not at the end result. Ever tried to break up a dog fight with: Sitz, Platz, Pfui, No??? It doesnt work. The brain is so stimulated at this point that there is no control. Therefor I think the "I cant control him" has been taken out of context. Nobody has control over a dog in a frantic state of mind, and it takes not even 30 seconds to deliver several serious bites.

And let me guess, the spitz probably was on a flex lead. You have your typical pet owner that doesnt recognize communication and is in the mind set that his dog doesnt do anything wrong because it is small and cute and runs the house at home.

Jim's right; at the end of the day the officer/handler is responsible for his service dog.

Since my dog is dog aggressive I can control his behavior, but I can't change his nature. That is part of his temperament. That is one reason my wife never, ever walks him. Even though he lives with us and she has raised him from 7 weeks. She does not have the control necessary to handle him if needed.

Slam...that has been the best thing I have read on here in a good while and that says a lot.