Dog bite at the schutzhund club. - Page 12

being socialzed and having every tom dick and jane interact with your dog are two different things.

This was a dog that shouldn't have been put in that position, the handler deserves a kick.  Someone that wants to interact with that dog should know how to read it, if you have been around dogs, that doesn't mean you know how to read them.

If you're bringing someone that is just off surgery and not familiar with the dogs, you should make sure they only interact with dogs you're familiar and comfortable with.

Some dogs need to have interaction with other people to get them over genetic issues, some dogs need nothing more than to just see other people, their nerves and temperment are fine, they don't need to ever interact with anyone other than family members.  There is no cookie cutter when it comes to dogs,  how you socialize is no different.

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Bancroft-  I'm so glad you mentioned "house rules" as I wondered if the club Sil attended had any or made it's visitor's aware of what's expected.

I agree with Don above when he talks about newcomers at a club....no one knows them, their dog or just how "new" they are for that matter.  A good idea to prevent things like this from every happening is to have House Rules attached to any waivers guests have to sign so that it ensures they've been told what is expected of them.

Another idea is that when someone "new" shows an interest in the sport or wants to bring their dog to visit a club the TD should take some time one on one with that person to get an idea of how much or little they understand about doing bite work AND they should evaluate the dog BEFORE they determine if it's "safe" to be in a club atmosphere with a handler that can control their dog.  If the TD doesn't feel comfortable he/she should politely tell the person that the safety of their helpers, members and guests is a top priority and they are more than welcome to spectate but before they will allow the dog to be worked in a club setting both dog and handler need to work on some of the issues that the TD is concerned with.

If the TD doesn't feel a particular dog should be doing SCH then they have good reason to deny someone access to their training field.  MOST REASONABLE people will respect and understand that, if they don't then too bad they can always find somewhere else to go. One should always assume if an individual comes to a club and says "this is my first dog, I've never done any type of protection training" that probably means they lack the "common sense" we assume everyone should know in what the proper etique is in approaching dogs in general.  In that case we as dog owners who do know what to do and not to do should take the time to tell people the right way/wrong way.  When someone asks to "pet" my dog while we're out somewhere 9/10 times I say something like "he hasn't been feeling well so I'd rather not have someone fussing over him, he may get irriated" or I'll say "I'm sorry maybe some other time he's "training" today.  Little kids I have a hard time saying no to BUT I always SHOW them how to pet and approach my dogs and I always tell them to give him a little distance and please do not try to hug him or get in his face.  Usually they are all very compliant.  ADULTS are the problem. lol  

BTW Don, I just wanna PUKE when grown ass people start that whinny high pitch baby talk to my dogs.  Do they realize how RIDICULOUS they look and sound??? 

Schutzhund Club is for working/training the dog.  Most of us travel really long distances to get to a decent club and really can't afford the luxury of a "social hour".  Basic stuff is usually expected to be done by the owner/handler/trainer  on his own time, at social locations.

Hey guys, I have never posted on a board before and probably never will again after this post. But its raining here in Texas and I was a bit bored while sitting in my office and decided to read some of this funny shit. Although its not funny that the lady got bit.....these posts are quite entertaining. SueC posts should be respected. Don Corleons posts......funny as shit!!!!!! Dude, I need to buy your HBO standup routine! Keep up the good work! Just what I needed at the moment. FYI.......dont fret over my...post....I dont even know what Shuztland is!!!! Or how to spell it! peace and hair grease..im out...Dave

"Another idea is that when someone "new" shows an interest in the sport or wants to bring their dog to visit a club the TD should take some time one on one with that person to get an idea of how much or little they understand about doing bite work AND they should evaluate the dog BEFORE they determine if it's "safe" to be in a club atmosphere with a handler that can control their dog.  If the TD doesn't feel comfortable he/she should politely tell the person that the safety of their helpers, members and guests is a top priority and they are more than welcome to spectate but before they will allow the dog to be worked in a club setting both dog and handler need to work on some of the issues that the TD is concerned with."  (Agar)

Excellent post!  I would only add this is also a good thing for regular members to keep an eye on too.

How many times do I have to say it...... THIS DOG WAS NOT IN TRAINING FOR SCHUTZHUND! THEY DID OBEDIENCE WORK WITH THE DOG, THEY HAD HIM OUT FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES AFTER OB, WHEN SHE ASKED TO PET HIM. 

But YOU'RE RIGHT, you always are... she should have known better, or I should have.... my mother can walk, she can drive, she can make her own damn decisions on whether or not to approach a dog, she KNEW she was in trouble because he was leaning into her so hard, and before she had the goddamn time to tell Sharon to get her f-ing dog, it was too late.  The handler and or trainer should have seen the signals, because they were standing right there.  I should have to supervise my mother?  You are kidding right?  As she said, SHE HAS BEEN AROUND GSD's FOR 15 YEARS.

My dog is more than capable of being pet, she could be in the middle of bitework, and you could pet her, she would ignore you... because she's clear-headed as all hell.

They are ignoring my emails about paying for medical bills as well.

I have been going to this particular club for about 2 months, my mother always comes with me.. because she loves what I love.

Sil-  Take a deep breath dear; relax IMO you're mother did NOTHING wrong from the way you described the situation IF that is entirely how it happend without anything being left out.  I think we all understand this dog was not doing "bite work" and get the point about it not being deemed suitable to do protection work sooooo that leads to why I posted what I did above that all clubs owe it to their members and guests to individually evaluate each "new" dog and handler BEFORE allowing this dog to participate with the others.

Perhaps the thread got off track a bit but the reason I stated it's best to spend one on one time with someone new and evaluating their dog is because it was not that long ago I bought my first GSD, my FIRST trained dog and I did not know a single solitary thing other than I had a need to own this caliber of a dog and I'd better get somewhere with someone who was gonna show me what the hell to do and how to do it right to have the control and handling skills to ensure against "accidents". Where else would a brand new person go for this type of training but to a SCH club with experienced trainers and people who know what they are doing.   

In this particular case the OP states her and the mother both have many years experience with GSD's so I wouldn't necessarily say they were "first timers" BUT maybe didn't pick up on anything odd about the dogs behavior particularly because it was a "strange dog' and not their own.  From my experience it isn't so easy to read dogs, especially other people's.  This is something that comes with much experience in the whole training aspect.  I've had my dogs 2 years and only now can finally say I know what they are telling me to the point I'm confident in understanding them.  But I'm not one of those people that feels the urge to pet your dog regardless of how much I may be admiring it.  I have my own dogs to love on.

I have said I didn't think your mom was treated right.  I was only commenting on what I thought was a very common sense approach that Agar mentioned that I thought was worth repeating.  Threads do take on a life of their own and tend to branch off in different directions, then come back not unlike the mighty Mississippi.