June 4, 2008 - 6:35pm | rjralaska

Dogs and language

I know you are in an English speaking place but, your travels bring up my question of dogs and language.

If I go to a non-English speaking place, I assume the dogs would not know any of my commands. Tone would let them know they are special while just talking to them or saying "get back, no" or something if they were being agressive. I just assume they don't know English any better than the people of the area when it comes to commands!

Has anyone else had that thought or am I just over-thinking the idea?

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  June 5, 2008 - 3:47am | dogblog

I bet tone and demeanor

I bet tone and demeanor would be enough to let most dogs know they can trust you. Hand signals might also be universal. But I think you'd have to know the dog's vocabulary to get much beyond that. Hopefully, English words like "sit" and "shake" don't mean "rip my face off" in other languages. :)

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  June 5, 2008 - 8:41am | akvalleygirl74

That reminds me

of a friend in HS who's family had rotties. They trained them in German, and I always got such a kick out of hearing them say "nein!" to the dogs. That's the only command I can remember. lol

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  June 4, 2008 - 12:24pm | mwolf

Owners are the main problem

I gotta agree with the majority of you here that the pit/mix owner is the main problem. The cat owner is also at fault. The cat shouldn't have been left outside. She left it vulnerable to the dogs and a variety of other dangers.

IMHO Pit Bulls are no more dangerous than any other dog their size provided they have a normal, healthy environment in which to live.

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  June 4, 2008 - 6:44pm | rjralaska

I agree!

Loose pets are a danger to each other and themselves. Dogs, cats, RABBITS (As one blogger's dogs were incorrectly suspected of killing awhile back), etc. are all safer while properly and humanely restrained.

I do honestly hope Anchorage does not impose some sort of ban on certain breeds! All dogs have the potential to bite people, other pets and wildlife. Some larger breeds can kill other life forms.

I hope this unfortunate story for the dogs (the owner doesn't want them anymore) and the cat's family is a learning experience about responsibility - not a hysterical ban on pets. I LOVE pit bulls - they are great dogs like all others when given a proper home!!

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  June 3, 2008 - 7:02pm | kariabre

Apparently there are two pit

Apparently there are two pit bulls that have been left free to run around and terrorize a neighborhood... But of course it is the dogs and not the owners that are to blame.

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  June 4, 2008 - 8:03am | jarnold

I read the article...

... in today's paper. I have a lot to say on the whole thing, just not the time to properly form my thoughts. I am especially angry at the comments to the story. I knew better than to read them, but I did anyway.

The sad, sad part is that the owner of these dogs is surrendering them to animal control instead of dealing with the problem himself. Drop them off for free and have little daydreams that someone will adopt them. I have no idea what animal control's policy is on dogs with a bite history, but I imagine it's not "rehabilitate and carefully screen the interested adopters."

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  June 4, 2008 - 11:02am | bender_23

Ugh.

'I am especially angry at the comments to the story. I knew better than to read them, but I did anyway.'

Yeah, me too. I'm afraid I'll be forever amazed at the number of stupid people in the world. I can't waste my time attempting to educate them, but it's so hard to not want to combat the gross stupidity. At least some of people weren't morons and saw that the issue was with *both* owners and that animals should be leashed and in owner control. Period. I have a cat and a dog and neither runs loose (well, except at a designated off leash area, but even then Buck gets leashed when he tries to chase birds or bikes).

The thing that surprised me was how many somewhat intelligent people seem to think cats and dogs are natural enemies. They really aren't. It's a matter of socialization of both. I've had all my dogs around cats and it's really not an issue if you know what you are doing training-wise. Cattle dogs have high prey and herding drive and yet Buck knows that my cat isn't his prey or his sheep. He actually cleans her face and ears for her and she leans into him when he does it. Anyway, had to say something about that even though I'm guessing everyone here already knew it. :)

Oh, and I have to mention that I met a lady last night who's Pomeranian was killed by a Lab. So, it being about cats vs dogs or about 'mean' breeds vs 'nice' breeds is a total load of crap. It's about training and owner responsibility. Period. Anything else is sensationalism and/or BS.

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  June 4, 2008 - 8:24am | natashap2

I wanted to scream at my computer screen

when I saw the comments, but I am at work, and didn't think it would fly.

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  June 4, 2008 - 8:49am | kariabre

Ugh I started to read the

Ugh I started to read the comments and wanted to cry. If they start talking BSL in Anchorage I am out of here.

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  June 4, 2008 - 8:59am | sondrals

They really should...

jail the owners, or fine they excessively, that way people will realized it's the owner's responsibility!!! Did you watch the news? the kid just let the dog out the door! no fenced yard, no collar even *sigh* stupid stupid people!

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  June 4, 2008 - 9:14am | kariabre

Unfortunatly the cities

Unfortunatly the cities never realize this until it is too late. Miami banned pit bulls and now has a problem with rotties. South Africa banned pit bulls and now has an issue with people keeping wild hyenas as pets. You think they would realize its the people and not the animal but the media and politicians thrive on shock value and quick action and its a lot easier to blame the dog and not the owner. Cheaper too.

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  June 4, 2008 - 11:06am | bender_23

It's so moronic

I just don't get how cities and their legislators can't learn from other cities. Any dog can be made vicious by terrible people. Banning so called dangerous breeds is just going to lead every single breed into being called that until someone wises up and points the blame where it belongs. And fines need to start earlier and be harsher. I'm tired of suffering for being a responible pet owner amongst too many irresponsible ones.

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  June 4, 2008 - 10:06am | jarnold

KTVA

I read the story on KVTA's website (click here) and I like it a whole lot better than the article in today's newspaper.

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  June 4, 2008 - 8:06am | sondrals

You too huh...

I had to stop myself from responding to the plethora of stupid people commenting on the story.... really irked me, I should learn to stay off the comments page of stuff.. ran into a couple stories this morning that really got my goat.

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  June 3, 2008 - 8:06pm | sondrals

well who let them...

free? they didn't just appear outta thin air... a person is responsible, not the dogs. :-| stupid people...

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  June 3, 2008 - 7:03pm | kariabre

double post!

I think people should be screened before they are allowed to adopt "vicious" breeds (pits, rotties, dobies, chows...)

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  June 4, 2008 - 11:27am | toknak

PITS ARE NOT A VICIOS BREED!

PITS ARE NOT A VICIOS BREED! Those dogs are a mix of MAYBE pit and probably at least a couple other breeds. So I think it's a little unfair to blame it on "pit bulls". By the way, my 2 pits get along great with cats and other dogs.

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  June 4, 2008 - 11:46am | bender_23

We're with you

...on that. Hence, the person you are responding to writing "vicious" in quotes and also being an owner of "vicious" breed dogs who would like nothing better than to lick you and your dog to death.

So, yeah, no need for the caps (which kind of makes it seem like you are yelling and angry with the person you are replying to).

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  June 3, 2008 - 7:04pm | sondrals

and

weimaraners? just kidding

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  June 3, 2008 - 2:16pm | sondrals

wow...

even with repellant huh? Kane has that K9 advantix i put on him because the mosquitos loooove him. Even with that I'm finding they still seem to be attracted to him. I prefer clear, unwindy days but you're probably right, it's not safe mosquito wise unless the wind is blowing!

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  June 3, 2008 - 2:28pm | krunch54

They really liked

Shadow because he's so dark. Siopao did not get the same attention, but the buggers were driving us bonkers! I'll try University today, since the wind is pretty calm again today.

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  June 3, 2008 - 2:49pm | sondrals

what time are you guys going?

I might go over there toinght after work, but not sure..

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  June 3, 2008 - 3:38pm | natashap2

We want to go too!

Ajax says "Yeah, yeah what time, pant pant"

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  June 3, 2008 - 3:46pm | sondrals

I can go anytime after...

4:30 which is when I get off work... Krunch may be there already as he gets off work early in the day and ususally goes around 3:30...

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  June 3, 2008 - 4:25pm | natashap2

Is 5:30 too early for you?

How about 5:30?

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  June 3, 2008 - 4:56pm | sondrals

nope!

that works fine for us!

see you there!

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  June 4, 2008 - 7:40am | krunch54

WHICH LAKE

did you guys end up going to? We tried Connor's yesterday because it was fairly windy, but once again the mosquitos won out and we didn't stay long.

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  June 4, 2008 - 7:50am | sondrals

We ended up

at University Lake... it was really nice, no bugs that I noticed. We ended up there for an hour and a half, 2 hours maybe. Walked completely around the lake, stopped at a nice spot with benches to let the boys play in the water :-)

oh and met this guy with a really cool chocolate lab that loved sticks.. and a weimaraner smaller than Kane! and an irish wolfhound puppy :-)

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  June 3, 2008 - 12:09pm | Julietx1

you tube

Well, I watched the video, and it was really a good one. It brought tears to my eyes, especially after having met your wonderful girls. It must be weird to see yourself unexpectedly like that, but at least it was for a good cause. Unfortunately, watching you tube is addictive.

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  June 3, 2008 - 8:20am | sondrals

I blame you!

I spent last night on youtube watching video's of dogs!

check this one out, Kane isn't the only spaz weimaraner.. judging from the videos they kinda all are

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpPl-MMx0yg

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  June 2, 2008 - 9:05pm | sondrals

Moving video..

but how weird to find yourself in a youtube video you know nothing about!

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  June 1, 2008 - 11:12am | dogblog

Agility class

How exciting. What a great experience. I've always thought it would be nice to try 9-year-old Rusty at agility but figured he'd be too old. Maybe you've given me some inspiration!

Good luck and let us know how it goes in the weeks to come.

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  June 1, 2008 - 11:18am | akvalleygirl74

Maybe he's not too old

and it would be fun to try if Rusty's an energetic boy (he is a lab, right? lol). We were in a puppy class so all of the dogs were right around a year old. I don't know how old any of the dogs were in the adult classes but it would be really nice if an instructor could let you try out 1 class and see what Rusty's reaction is. It would be worth investigating! :)

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  June 1, 2008 - 8:44pm | robynandbatman

Never too old

I teach puppy classes and used to teach Agility classes and a dog is never too old to learn! As long as your dog is sound (check with your vet) and you (the human) can run, then you are ready for agility! It takes some patience and time, about a year and a half before you're ready for a trial, but the time is well spent with your beloved pets! The best thing about it? Your dog will be tired at the end of an agility class!!!!

You're always welcome to come watch classes at Alyeska Canine Trainers, and I'm sure all the other places would welcome you too! Just stop in and chat with the students or instructors anytime.

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