Pet owner should reconsider training 'Rambo dog'

I hear all kinds of things as a dog trainer.
A few days ago I had a phone call from a man who wanted me to train his dog to be aggressive. Not only aggressive, he wanted his dog to be the "meanest thing walking the streets."
I told him that I didn't do that type of training, and maybe he should rethink having a "Rambo Dog." Out of curiosity, I asked him why he would want a dangerous animal. He told me that: 1). He didn't trust his neighbors, and 2). That a lot of kids had been walking through his backyard. He thought that it would be cheaper to have an aggressive dog chained to a post than go to the expense of putting up a fence. I politely turned him down, telling him to rethink his motives.
In light of the fatal attack on San Francisco resident Diane Whipple, who was killed by two Presa Canario dogs while she was attempting to enter her Pacific Heights apartment, it is time that owners of aggressive dogs realize that they could be held criminally liable for their pet's behavior. The owners of these two dogs now face possible manslaughter charges.
If the fear of prosecution is not enough to make someone think twice about having an aggressive dog, maybe the fear of losing money will. According to a joint 1999 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Independent Insurance Agents of America, more than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year. Of those, 800,000 required medical treatment at a cost of almost $165 million. Additionally, dog bites cost society more than $1 billion a year, with insurance companies paying out about $250 million of that in dog bite liability claims nationwide. As many as one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claims may be related to dog attacks, according to insurance industry statistics.
Sadly, according to the report, children are worst affected by dog attacks and comprise 60 percent of all dog bite victims. Of children seen in emergency rooms for dog bites, 73 percent were bitten on the face, neck and head, compared to just 30 percent for adults.
According to Madelyn Flannagan, IIAA's director of research and information, "Homeowners and renters who own dogs should never go without liability insurance, or they may be in for a rude awakening if sued. Dog owners must be aware of the financial as well as the physical implications of letting dogs roam and not taking precautions to prevent injuries. This holds true even at home, because an estimated 70 percent of dog attacks occur on the owner's property."
Some insurance companies increasingly are limiting or denying liability coverage to owners of certain breeds of dogs considered more likely to bite. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, between 1979 and 1996, there were 199 reported dog bite fatalities. The "pure" breed dogs that led the bite fatalities were: The pit bull (60); Rottweiler (29); German Shepherd (19); Husky or Husky mixes (14); Alaskan Malamute (12); Doberman (8); Chow Chow (8); Great Dane (6); St. Bernard (4); and Akita (4).
So, what should dog owners do to prevent having an aggressive dog? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, owners have several responsibilities:

• Before getting a dog, learn about the breed and make sure you can handle problems associated with its characteristic behaviors. Some breeds are more prone to biting than others.
• Socialize your dog when it's a puppy, using positive techniques. A puppy that has very limited exposure to humans will probably fear them as an adult dog.
• Don't violate leash laws.
• Neuter male dogs to curb aggressive tendencies.
• Make sure your dog treats all people as friends. Asking the dog to discriminate as to who belongs on his property and who doesn't is not realistic.
• Don't make excuses for any warning signs, like snapping and growling, that the dog gives. These warning signs must be dealt with in an appropriate way.
• If your dog displays aggressive behavior, do not ignore it. The first thing to do is contact a veterinarian to rule out medical problems. After this, contact a veterinary behaviorist, a certified animal behaviorist, or a dog trainer experienced at handling aggression cases.
  

As you can see, owning a dog comes with major responsibilities. Any dog, regardless of breed, has the potential of being dangerous. That puppy might be cute when it growls and snaps, but this behavior could be an omen of bad things to come. Take time to ensure that the joy of your life does not become someone else's nightmare. And remember, good dog training is not expensive . . . it is priceless.