[seicslybearee]

Do you think owners of small dogs should be just as responsible for teaching their dogs to behave as big dogs' owners are and if a small dog starts a fight with a big dog and gets its ass handed to him, do you think the big dog owners should be held liable?

[_tppga_]

Yes small dog owners should be just as responsible for teaching their dogs to behave. And I know many very good small dog owners. I think really its only a handful out there with out of control dogs. Unfortunately the only ones we notice are the owners with out of control dogs. I mean no one notices a well behaved dog. I think small dog owners get a bad stigma which sucks because for every 1 small dog owner that doesn't train there dog and their dog is out of control there are a ton more that do train and have their dog under control. Same with large dogs. This is a debate you will find on both sides. Small dog owners complaining that large dog owners don't control their dogs vs Large dog owners complaining that small dog owners don't control their dogs. Its the same argument on both sides. And as we know there are irresponsible large dog owners out there too.

The only sad thing about it is, the large dog is always blamed. Which sucks.

[bunkalapa]

Yes small dog owners should be just as responsible for teaching their dogs to behave. And I know many very good small dog owners. I think really its only a handful out there with out of control dogs. Unfortunately the only ones we notice are the owners with out of control dogs. I mean no one notices a well behaved dog. I think small dog owners get a bad stigma which sucks because for every 1 small dog owner that doesn't train there dog and their dog is out of control there are a ton more that do train and have their dog under control. Same with large dogs. This is a debate you will find on both sides. Small dog owners complaining that large dog owners don't control their dogs vs Large dog owners complaining that small dog owners don't control their dogs. Its the same argument on both sides. And as we know there are irresponsible large dog owners out there too.

The only sad thing about it is, the large dog is always blamed. Which sucks.

I agree with all these points. Some small dog owners feel like they don't have to train them because they're so small you can just manhandle them. That bothers me. Also, those nippy small dogs who are always biting people and get called cute. It's NOT cute.

And damn right the big dogs get blamed. Doesn't matter that it was the small dog that ran up to the big dog barking and snarling and biting. Size is all that matters. I'm talking about what I call a "neutral" situation (where both dogs are off leash or on leash in a public space). In some cases the small dog will be at fault. For example, the little dog is off leash and goes into the big dog's yard or approaches a big dog on a leash. I hope what I'm saying makes sense.

[_tppga_]

My point is, its the same on both sides. You have people who don't think they need to train their larger dogs just as you have people that don't think they need to train their small dogs. You only notice the out of control dogs. Never the well behaved dogs. I'm a small dog owner and regardless of size, I won't stand for negative behavior out of my dog(s). And I know tons of responsible dog owners, but say for every 10 responsible small dog owners you are going to have 1 irresponsible dog owner. And that is the owner whose dog will be noticed. Same with large dogs, I know quite a few responsible large dog owners, but again for say every 10 responsible ones you have 1 irresponsible one. That's the dog you notice. Again it seems the only dogs you notice are the ones out of control. No one is going to notice a well behaved animal.

I've been there on both sides. I have had a larger dog, but mostly small dogs. I don't care what size my dog is, my dog will be under control at all times. I wish more owners felt that way period.


(Obviously I am just throwing out numbers)

[bunkalapa]

I get your point and was agreeing. I guess I just didn't make sense :/

[U2DnBGFE]

Yes, I think small dog owners should have to be just as responsible for their dog's behaviour as large dog owners. No, I don't think it's fair that if a small dog starts a fight and gets its ass kicked, the large dog is blamed.

[Lolita Palmer]

If you want to own a dog, regardless of size/breed/sex, you NEED to be responsible. Being responsible means socializing properly with dogs and people along with basic training and manners.

I own both a "big" guy [more like medium to me, but according to most apartments and rentals he's large] and my li'l girl Maci. I am just as much responsible for her behaviour as I am for Leon's. She should not be allowed to jump on people just like Leon. Human Aggression isn't tolerable just as with Leon. And she is expected to listen to me when I ask something of her... sit, stay, down, come here.

If Maci ever started it with a big dog and she got hurt or killed, I would not blame the other dog I would blame myself. Maci is not allowed to play with any other big dogs besides Leon so if she were tangled up with another Big dog I'm sure it would be my lack of attention to the situation or just simply allowing her to be with a big dog. I do my best to prevent situations like that. I already watch her start shit with Leon, so I wouldn't doubt it one bit if she got herself into trouble under no fault of the other dog at all.

All in all, if you own a dog you must be responsible for it whether it's a 2lb rat or 150lb giant. A dog is a dog and it's a responsibility not a fashion statement or a status symbol.

[Peter Hill]

Given the types of dogs members of this forum own and given the constant stories of other owners and their small dogs (or large "friendly" dogs), I think the answer is self-explanatory.

[StarsWorld]

Its the equivilant of saying if someone who is 4'11 starts a fight with someone who is 6'8 who is responsible.. its still the person who couldnt control themselves in this case the person who is 4'11. With dogs if a small dog is untrained ankle biter and nips a big dog and the big dog hands them their ass.. well that's the small dog and the small dogs owners fault not the owner of the bigger breed dog who was trained properly.

[55Beaphable]

You shouldn't even have to ask. Of course they should!