...

Russ Keane wrote: "100% recall ability, the dog comes when called 100% of the time"

Damn dude, it's a living being, not a robot.   100% is an unrealistic goal in anything except computer programming.    It's this type of mentality that leads to a disconnected relationship with dogs.  Give them some leeway to make their own decisions, to have sound judgment and consideration, and all will be well.

We actually have a separate "reliable recall" command for our dog, to be used in emergencies. (Running into traffic, in altercation with another dog, etc.) We only practice it with him when we have a rare treat (chunk of hot dog or a piece of cheese) with which to reward him, and he gets the treat and a few minutes of enthusiastic affection to reinforce the command. As a result, whenever he hears that word (we use "pronto"), he immediately comes running at full-tilt, no matter what had captured his attention.

It works, 100% of the time. We've used it to call him off skunks, rabbits, and even a particularly aggressive plastic shopping bag.

Andrew Krajnik wrote:

We actually have a separate "reliable recall" command for our dog, to be used in emergencies. (Running into traffic, in altercation with another dog, etc.) We only practice it with him when we have a rare treat (chunk of hot dog or a piece of cheese) with which to reward him, and he gets the treat and a few minutes of enthusiastic affection to reinforce the command. As a result, whenever he hears that word (we use "pronto"), he immediately comes running at full-tilt, no matter what had captured his attention.

It works, 100% of the time. We've used it to call him off skunks, rabbits, and even a particularly aggressive plastic shopping bag.

Love that idea...and will steal it from you for my next pup! Thanks!

Ron O wrote: Riding my bike a dog ran out and bit me in the leg, then chased after me.
I rode out ahead and pulled out my pistol and put a round into the ground between us.
Dog stopped dead.
Owner paid for new jeans.

Pepper spray? Really?

Beretta model 21. That tiny little mouse gun has served me well. Dogs, snakes in camp, even frightened off a black bear. Never jams.

I envy you Americans.

Captain Z wrote:

I envy you Americans.

Yeah, "MCGA" doesn't quite roll off the tongue as well, lol

B W wrote:

Love that idea...and will steal it from you for my next pup! Thanks!

It wasn't our idea; we got it from the professional trainers who taught us how to train our dog. Start with short distances, in a controlled environment (no distractions).

1) Have someone hold the dog, and let the dog know you have the treat.
2) Walk across the room, say their name (a dog's name should be treated as a command as well; it means, "look at me/pay attention"), and then give the command.
3) Have the other person release the dog. Give praise the whole time it's sprinting toward you. ("Good boy good boy good boy good boy!")
4) Immediately give the reward, shower the dog with praise, and give them affection for a few minutes. You want them to be really happy that they obeyed the command.
5) Don't practice reliable recall more than a few times in a given day, and only when you have a special treat. (Something more enticing than the treats you use for normal training, snacks, etc.) In our case, we mainly use a small chunk of hot dog. (For all our dog knows, "pronto" is just another word for "hot dog!")
6) Dogs don't generalize well, so as the dog learns the command, start practicing in different locations and situations. (Different rooms, the yard, different person giving the command, etc.) Gradually increase distance, and don't let them know you have the treat in advance. Once you're confident they know the command, use the recall when they're playing with a favorite toy. You want them to associate that command with being better than whatever it is that currently has their attention.

Once they know the command, you don't have to practice it often; they'll remember it well. After he was solid on that command, it became something we'd do a few times a year. We'll just randomly grab a chunk of hot dog or cheese when he's wandering around our fenced backyard, and give the command. He comes sprinting, and gets his treat and a ton of affection.

Edit to add: If you ever have to use it for real, make sure to give them plenty of affection. The few times we've had to use it, we were in our own yard, so we just ran into the house with him on our heels, and headed straight to the fridge. Away from home, heap on extra praise.

Tom Sherman wrote: Oh my some things never get old.... like saying that pit bulls are inherently more viscous than all other dogs, continuing to debate abortion, and believing in Santa Clause

Most people don’t have brains, so that should end the discussion right there. But if you did have a brain you’d know there’s about 4 Mil metrics to the whole dog attack scenario. To name a few: training of the dog, drive of the dog, potential for injury from the dog, popularity of the breed, control over the animal.

Pit bulls have high drive, high potential for injury, and high popularity. It’s a pretty dangerous mix of traits. My Belgian Malinois has higher drive and higher potential for injury, and I thank god every day that even with that Hollywood film Max and Seal Team Six, that their popularity has remained low enough that they have not gotten themselves onto the exclusion list yet.

"Pit bulls are inherently more viscous than all other dogs" and "Most people don't have brains" in the same post.... Well done sir... pit bulls have been shown to be incredibly viscous. 

(Sorry I had to)

Jaren Watson wrote:

They really are. I tried to pour mine on my waffles this morning, but it took too long.

Try tossing it in the Microwave for 30 seconds to loosen it up. 

Any recommendations for dog breeds that have a lower viscosity? I like my dogs to be somewhat soupy. 

You can thin them out with mineral spirits. It depends on the breed, though. (Some breeds work better with turpentine.)

Andrew Krajnik wrote: You can thin them out with mineral spirits. It depends on the breed, though. (Some breeds work better with turpentine.)

Sure but won't that give them microfractures

If you're fearful constantly, will they be more viscous? Asking for a friend.

I'm a dog person.  I love them.  And there's not a dog around that I'm really afraid of.  I just boss those suckers around and they almost always respond apart from the occasional herding dog.  I'm fairly certain I can beat any dogs ass and it's my opinion if you project that they know it.  If you run into a particularly unruly dog I'd rather just fend for myself like a man and take it up with the owner.  Going for a weapon with a dog is weak sauce in my opinion.  Worst case scenario kick it in the neck.

Neil Rankin wrote: I'm a dog person.  I love them.  And there's not a dog around that I'm really afraid of.

I like all of the pit bulls in my apartment building. Each one is friendly and responds well to being pet. But this one guy has a German Sheppard that I absolutely do not trust. It's super aggressive and every time I run into them at the door the dog looks intent on biting. Luckily he keeps it on a short leash. I'll be glad when he moves out of here.

Some dogs like some people are simply assholes. fact of life.    the jobsite I worked on the beginning of this week. I was there Monday to wed trimming out a pantry, butternut paneling, chair rail,  hang antique door etc.   The caretaker has  german shepard. The first day I was there the dog gave me the treatment. barking, growling, raised hair, teeth etc.  As soon as the caretaker introduced us everything was fine and the dog remembered me every day with no fuss.  I am not a dog person but had no problem letting this 100lb dog lick my face. I even liberated a tennis ball from  inside the big house and gave it to her. She took it very gently and immediately disappeared . came back a few min later with no ball. obviously she had buried her treasure in some secret spot.  Super nice gentle dog. Scout on the other hand is a total asshole. He bit me hard enough to draw blood while his human was introducing us. 3 years later he is still an asshole.. 

A C wrote: Dont pepper spray a dog dude, spray the owner. They are the reason why the dog is the issue

True, but that does not prevent the bite.

Stagg54 Taggart wrote:
Solves nothing.  The dog's not the problem, the idiot owner is.  Hell just go buy another one and you're back at the same problem... Unfortunately you can't go around shooting people so we are stuck with the status quo.

It does solve the immediate threat.

John Denver wrote: Best day out at the local choss pile: My dog rolls up (off leash) to a super heady hammock squad just to scope out the scene. He hears a small speaker log contraption blasting Mumford & Sons near said heady squad's belongings.  On his way over to investigate, he crosses a screaming toddler with a bag of animal crackers.  Being from a breed of high intelligence, he asserts his dominance by stealing the animal crackers and eating every last one of them.  While continuing over to the "crag jukebox", he sees a heady squad member's pack full of homemade trail mix.  Again, being from a breed of high intelligence, he knows there is no better time to eat than - right god damn now.  After he finishes the sub-par trail mix bag (biodegradable bag included), this smart pupper notices a six pack of highly floral IPAs.  Aside from being very intelligent, my young pup is also very loyal.  He put the six pack holder in his mouth and got to moving along.  Before venturing back over to his esteemed high performing owners, he stops and thinks, "wow, f*&k these hammock assholes treating the crag like a loud frat party complete with screaming toddlers and horrible post-celtic tunes...I should piss directly on their rope!"  Piss directly on the rope he did.

I have yet to be more proud of my loyal pup in all his glorious years.

f'in boulderites!

I'm pretty good at pointing out the pitbull that's likely to bite me. It's the one that's unleashed. 

Then there are days Iike yesterday at The Dump, Warpin whatever you call it, the one dog was the best behaved of the 10 college students. They were getting ready to climb that route, you know at a different section, there was a group on it for 3 hours we've been waiting to get on it. Well none of your stuff was there so I just shook my head lol and moved on. So next section I get to is littered with their trash and gear. To the points that I throw my rope bag on top of their crap cause it's just in the way. Windy day so there literal trash is moving around the base to. I didn't tell one buddy looking kinda angrily for his climbing shoes that they were under my rope, he didn't ask so I didn't volunteer. Thank you Appalachian State University students, well just the ones yesterday, most are usually better behaved. 

O wrote:

If you pepper spray a dog, just hope it actually has attacked you (not ran toward you).  Or you will be up to your neck in legal fees.

There was a dog with a known aggression issue toward other dogs (attacked a climbers dog) that was punted by a mountain biker who thought he was going to be bitten when the dog ran up to him, that resulted in the dog needing surgery. The owner brought him to court and he had to shell out the cost of surgery. 
Pepper spray would probably be a animalCruelty case as you are carrying it with the intent of using it on a dog now (unless Tolib underoath). I say let the dog bite you and collect the $ fromThe shit owner.

Are you a lawyer? Has this happened to you? I’ve read of many people who ran toward an armed citizen (non cop) or acted in a threatening manner and were SHOT or even KILLED by armed people (usually in shall issue,  open or concealed carry stares) who thought their life was in danger. The armed people were not often not even charged. Now they may have lost a civil suit. The punishment and damages for spraying a threatening dog in self defense would be far lower if any. Also how do you know you’ll win in small claims court? Particularly if the breed is large or threatening. You want me to get bit first? Keep you dog on a leash and leave aggressive dogs at home is the takeaway.