Tiger attacks boy in Elgin

[pikachu]

reptileguy123,
you're right i was discriminating a bit, but its to protect the dogs!
around my area especially, way too many people have pits to look "tough" and unfortunatly, to fight them.
poor dogs dont last more than a couple of years.
either given up (seen the humane society lately?) or put down because their
instinct to protect and be aggressive, humans bred them that way but they didnt understand the detrimental effect it would have on the breed.
they were originaly called "butchers dogs" they would grab cattle by the snout and tire them out so much that the butcher could bring them in for slaughter. then someone got the bright idea to use them for bull baiting, which became illegal, then they turned to dog fighting. poor dogs!
my dog is very protective, she has saved my butt a few times (lots of drunks, druggies, and dealers in the hood) she growls and looks tough but kind of a scaredy cat. she is good with everyone unless she knows theres something wrong (dogs are cool that way)
if i didnt think i was capable to train my dog and read her body language the way i do, i simply wouldnt own this type of dog.
they are definately not for everyone. but now i couldnt live without her!

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Sure some tigers can be taught to do tricks but it is completely against their nature to behave this way. Sooner or later it might and most likely will resort to their wild nature.

Will all do respect, are you suggesting that it is in the nature of dogs and cats to sit when we ask them to, give us their paw when we ask them to, come when we ask them to, open the door when we ask them to?

Dogs started off in the wild, not in our homes. Thus, they were domesticated into house pets. Wouldn't that be the exact same case with a tiger, or any thing else for that matter?

[Pixie]

Originally posted by ReptiliansDOTca
Will all do respect, are you suggesting that it is in the nature of dogs and cats to sit when we ask them to, give us their paw when we ask them to, come when we ask them to, open the door when we ask them to?

Dogs started off in the wild, not in our homes. Thus, they were domesticated into house pets. Wouldn't that be the exact same case with a tiger, or any thing else for that matter?

If you had read my last post in its entirety, you would have seen the reasons why dogs and horses are so trainable. The big difference with these two species is that they want to do the things we ask of them. That's the part of the nature in them that responds to the desires of the alpha in their social group.

Other animals can be trained to do tricks, the big difference is that we need to reward them extensively in many fashions. Dogs especially will act upon our demands to please us, their "alpha" dog.

Why do you think it's so hard to train a housecat to do anything with JUST praise as a reward. They don't have the same social needs as dogs and most couldn't care less. It's just not a "reward" to them, if they want praise or affection, they will come around and get it when it pleases them.

And by the way, I didn't come up with these theories. These are in majority from a very educated and experienced person and one of my heros in the field of science & animals: Desmond Morris.

He has dedicated decades of research on the behaviour of animals and humans and is extensively published.

Pixie

[reptiguy123]

"Dogs started off in the wild, not in our homes. Thus, they were domesticated into house pets. Wouldn't that be the exact same case with a tiger, or any thing else for that matter?"

It is not the exact same case because tigers were not domesticated or attempted to be, for the most part.

[nita]

Well there is alot in here, where to start.

All breeds of dogd are capable of biting, usually poor husbandry and care on the owners part. My nephew nearly lost his face to a chinese pug, the dog had never been around children my nephew was only 18months old. My sister thankfully was close enough to grab him when the dog lunged, it was her MIL and FIL dog. Jack Russels are also known for biting, I think it was Natalie Embrougliah (bad spelling) who was laying on the floor curled up with her JR when he turned and took a chunk out of her face for no apparent reason. My husband was bit by a wolf/husky cross for trying to pick up a bag of peanuts of the floor at a friends house because the dog figured everything on the floor belonged to him. My mom drove courier and while delivering a package a chihuaha (sp?) came up and sank its teeth into her heel doing serious tendon damage thankfully missing the akeles (sp?) tendon. Too many stupid people own dogs unfortunately.

Almost any animal has the potential to do harm and yes even kill. My personal favorite animal is a Rotti (also fond of huskies, sheps, Dobi's without the ears and tail done, mastiffs, greyhounds, boxers, great danes, get the picture ) but I don't think it is fair to keep them in the city, I think they deserve a lot of space and I don't have the time to dedicate to obediance classes and taking one out for walks all the time wich they need and DH is anti large dog. My husband wants a chinese pug, no problem as long as he is willing to train it, and take care of it properly as I do my snakes. Husbandry is everything no matter the animal.

Most of my family have farms up north peace country and lots of horse back riding growing up. Yes a horse can do serious damage again all depends on the horse. I was an 1" away from being dead when the horse I was next to was spooked and reared up and jumped forward and bucked, her back hooves came an 1" from my head. She was a 2 yr old and my uncle had just started her training and my other cousin came out and scared her thinking it would be funny.

Stupid people cause bad names for animals.