My sweet bully got harassed! Is there any official dog behavior evaluation certificate/test???
Brooklyn
New York
My 1.5 y.o bully got harassed/ bullied multiple times last week just for been bull terrier / super aggressive/dangerous breed. Vinnie is a sweetheart,
not aggressive dog. Actually he is very shy cause he grew up in the neighborhood where everyone takes their dog away and cross the street then they see him , even when he was 4 months old little munchkin. But now situation escalated, a lot of maltese/chihuahua/yorkie owners (and its 95% 0f our neighborhood) started harassing us on our walks. Telling us we have cross the street or just cursing Vinnie out while picking up their dogs. Yesterday we went to the restaurant with Vinnie. Dogs are allowed to be outdoors. It was our neighbourhood restaurant, he grew up there. We go there since he was a 4 months old puppy. All waitstaff knows him and brings him treats from the kitchen. We keep him on short leash and dont let to bother other people. We have certain rules for dogs in NY
1. Every dog needs a license
2. Rabies vaccinations are mandatory
3. Dogs must be kept on a leash no more than six feet long
4. Don’t tether your dog
5. Scoop that poop!
Our Vinnie followers them all.
So last night as usual we came to our restaurant and choose the very last table outside, so we dont bother other people. One hour later 2 couples with 2 hids of age 4 to 6 decided to take table right behind us ( restaurant has around 30 tables outdoors, only 8-10 were occupied) . Kids decided to play chasing game around our table in front of laying dog, I told their parents it's not a good idea, later in the evening their younger guy approached the dog trying to poke him with bling-bling plastic sword, I asked their parents again not to bother the dog. Parents told me they are tired to restrain their kids just because we have a dog. Later the same guy decided its ok to pet Vinnie, I told him No while was holding dog by his collar, but he still touched him. Nothing happened but little boy got scared screamed and ran away to parents crying. The parents started yelling we have to have our extremely aggressive dog away, this is very dangerous breed, we have to muzzle him and not to bother other people who came here to the restaurant to relax. On the top of her lungs. In our neighborhood. My husband and I told them that their kids were bothering us and our dog and actually it was their choice to sit next to the dog in half empty restaurant. Our dog was allowed there, there is no muzzle law in NY if your dog never bit anyone, and he has a NY licence. It was 3rd time in 2 days we were harassed and Vinnie was cursed out just for been a Bull Terrier. After that fight at the restaurant 4 other tables, 3 waiters and 3 busboys came us to tell not to take this close to our hearts and those people were very rude. But how many incidents like this will we have in a future? I feel like I should have the same right as any other dog owner if my dog is not a danger to the society. Why should I feel that maltese/chihuahua is better than Bull Terrier?!
So I wonder if there is some oficial dog behavior/temperament evaluation certificate I can present to the dog haters without stepping into the fight or argument?
not aggressive dog. Actually he is very shy cause he grew up in the neighborhood where everyone takes their dog away and cross the street then they see him , even when he was 4 months old little munchkin. But now situation escalated, a lot of maltese/chihuahua/yorkie owners (and its 95% 0f our neighborhood) started harassing us on our walks. Telling us we have cross the street or just cursing Vinnie out while picking up their dogs. Yesterday we went to the restaurant with Vinnie. Dogs are allowed to be outdoors. It was our neighbourhood restaurant, he grew up there. We go there since he was a 4 months old puppy. All waitstaff knows him and brings him treats from the kitchen. We keep him on short leash and dont let to bother other people. We have certain rules for dogs in NY
1. Every dog needs a license
2. Rabies vaccinations are mandatory
3. Dogs must be kept on a leash no more than six feet long
4. Don’t tether your dog
5. Scoop that poop!
Our Vinnie followers them all.
So last night as usual we came to our restaurant and choose the very last table outside, so we dont bother other people. One hour later 2 couples with 2 hids of age 4 to 6 decided to take table right behind us ( restaurant has around 30 tables outdoors, only 8-10 were occupied) . Kids decided to play chasing game around our table in front of laying dog, I told their parents it's not a good idea, later in the evening their younger guy approached the dog trying to poke him with bling-bling plastic sword, I asked their parents again not to bother the dog. Parents told me they are tired to restrain their kids just because we have a dog. Later the same guy decided its ok to pet Vinnie, I told him No while was holding dog by his collar, but he still touched him. Nothing happened but little boy got scared screamed and ran away to parents crying. The parents started yelling we have to have our extremely aggressive dog away, this is very dangerous breed, we have to muzzle him and not to bother other people who came here to the restaurant to relax. On the top of her lungs. In our neighborhood. My husband and I told them that their kids were bothering us and our dog and actually it was their choice to sit next to the dog in half empty restaurant. Our dog was allowed there, there is no muzzle law in NY if your dog never bit anyone, and he has a NY licence. It was 3rd time in 2 days we were harassed and Vinnie was cursed out just for been a Bull Terrier. After that fight at the restaurant 4 other tables, 3 waiters and 3 busboys came us to tell not to take this close to our hearts and those people were very rude. But how many incidents like this will we have in a future? I feel like I should have the same right as any other dog owner if my dog is not a danger to the society. Why should I feel that maltese/chihuahua is better than Bull Terrier?!
So I wonder if there is some oficial dog behavior/temperament evaluation certificate I can present to the dog haters without stepping into the fight or argument?
Comments
>>> Because some people prefer to follow looks and prejudice and not actual facts.
So I wonder if there is some official dog behavior/temperament evaluation certificate I can present to the dog haters without stepping into the fight or argument?
>>> No certificate will change those people's minds. Don't bother.
This breed has a bad reputation - in many US states and other countries in the world they are categorized as "dangerous breeds", which makes it hard to find homes for rent, find flights that will transport them, insurance ... the list goes on. Media has done their part.
In some countries, you can't even breed or import them anymore and there are very strict laws and high fees connected to owning breeds, such as the Bull Terrier, Pit Bulls, and others on the list.
Part of their bad reputation originates from their history of having been bred and used for animal fights in the past. Some of those poor creatures still are - illegally, which sadly makes them a target for dog thieves in some areas.
In many countries, Bull Terriers hardly make the list of the bite statistics (incidents with humans), because so few incidents happen. But there's no use in discussing statistics because many people can't even tell an Am Staff apart from a Pit Bull or an English Bull Terrier.
Besides that those statistics basically only tell when owners have failed to train, secure and control their dogs properly because no dog is vicious by default - no matter the breed. That's my personal opinion.
Back in Germany, someone threatened to kill our Bull Terrier just because we took her for a walk into the woods where you hardly meet ANYONE ever. Well, but of course we had to encounter a hater.
I think those people at the next table would have been a problem anyways, with or without your dog.
Sadly, when it comes to the comparison of people teaching their kids manners and people teaching their dogs manners, the dogs will always end up being the losing part.
I am sorry to hear that you were obviously not prepared for this. But it is what it is.
Here in the U.S. our experience with our dog is predominantly positive regarding people's reaction to her. But in big cities, such as NY, everybody lives and acts closer to each other. And many city folks just dislike dogs by default, because they feel bothered by their close presence.
Besides that as dog owners we should also consider that there is also a good amount of people on the streets who are just afraid of dogs in general.
The best way to react to negative vibes, in my opinion, is to have your dog be a good canine citizen and to be a responsible owner - which you obviously seem to be. Just try to avoid such situations or try to get away from them when they happen, skipping the arguing. Talking to one or the other may help. But don't seek confrontation or try to convince people with fancy paperwork. You will not convert those, who hate the breed, bigger dogs or dogs in general.
As the dog's owner, you just have the short end of the stick by default. You're the one holding the end of the leash tied to a potential hazard - that's how lawmakers and lawyers would probably look at it - so you're the one who needs to step back when others complain.
Try to protect your dog as good as you can from getting into any bad situations he would have to pay a high price for when making mistakes. Because especially the "dangerous breeds" can't expect any mercy and you will likely not even get the chance to explain that he only defended himself etc....
Love your dog to pieces, because he's an angel! YOU know it! That's what matters!
Just because you've asked: As far as I know the AKC offers "Good Canine Citizen" certifications, which I consider a great thing, because - leaving all haters aside - the joint training for this certification just is a great bonding and communication exercise for owner and dog and lots of fun. Just search the AKC website for that certification to find more info.
I see it that I had the dog so it is my responsibility to make sure people around me are not uncomfortable when I walk him (on leash). I am more than happy for people to ask if they can stroke him but I always warn them he gets excited sometimes so if he jumps up they know he isn't going for the jugular. This is especially important as I am in Thailand at present and I have Never seen another BT and as a result people assume he is a pittbull.
However, I do object to people calling him names like pig dog and put bull so I do correct them.