As JG has said more often than not people don't bother getting in touch with the breeders.  Only a small percent of dogs that I've sold their owners keep in regular contact.  One of them sent me an e-mail earlier this year as his dog was now 7 :d  Hadn't heard from him in 6 years.  Though it was great to hear from him again.

Though I do have a number who keep in regular contact too so that's nice.

I just hope this episode hasn't put people off getting this breed of dog, looking through lots of rescue sites recently i have noticed a few of these dogs up for rehoming.

I actually hope for the opposite - I hope it puts lots of people off getting one of these types of dogs whether it be a rescue or a dog from a breeder who only breeds to make some money if they are the sort of person who only wants one for the wrong reasons. I have nothing against bull breeds or any other type of breed but a lot of the dogs in rescue have behavioural problems ( not all I know) and are not for the faint hearted or first time owners or owners who don't understand the full implications of owning any type of dog.

I am not against rescue dogs either - both of mine are rescues - but feel that some dogs are not suited to some owners and very careful matching of dog to owner is an absolute must in order to ensure that both dog and owner get the best possible chance of remaining together happily and healthily.

I think the main reason that so many of these types of dog are in rescue now are for the reasons seen on Dog Borstal - wrong decisions made by inexperienced people who have  not properly thought through the responsibilities that go with being a dog owner.

I agree with much of what you say Sam, I was watching and thinking that dog had had all his life chased and encouraged to do so, was hardwired to do so, then the trainer shoves a spray collar on him. I didn't enjoy seeing him trying to back right away in confusion.

I am not thrilled with that trainer - recently a dog was rattle bottled and the owner said that the dog had s**t herself, and he said "Good, I wanted her to". Nice man - not.

Lindsay
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I understood the owner had researched the breed on internet and books, and chosen him because they are good with children. I wonder if the books/net sites she looked at just were not realistic in terms of real life ownership for everyday pet owners, and pusned the charms of their breed too much??

Lindsay
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just a word about yorkies- i have seen small dogs being aggressive too! on the dog whisperer recently a bichon wouldnt let the husband into bed and attacked people badly- you dont have to be a big dog or bulldog to be aggressive!

I doubt a 6 - 7 pound Yorkshire terrier would be as capable of causing as much damage as an eight stone Bulldog that decided it wanted to hurt someone.  At least you'd stand a chance of getting the Yorkie off.

Aggression is aggression though - the degree of damage possible is irrelevant.

true but all teeth are sharp!

Ahh. but why, thats the question. Instead of sticking a label on it, ask why.

Not enough people do, although the yorkie is likely to be luckier than the rottie in this situation. Find out why and remove why and you can solve the problem remarkably easily in many cases.

I'd like to know what Cesar (The dog Whisperer) would have made of him. Or more importantly, the owners!!

Im glad he wasnt on Dog Whisperer, things were bad enough on Dog Borstal without bringint that bully into things.

What makes you say that the dog whisperer is a bully?  Just curious because from my point of view (and its only my opinion) that he manages all kinds of dogs with all kinds of problem with absolutely no aggression or raised voices so I cannot see how he can be called a bully.  Just curious as to how you can explain your thoughts on him?

Kicking and punching isn't bullying? Okay. Suffice to say I wouldn't let him within a mile of my dogs.

Maybe I've missed something but I havn't seen him punch a dog and the only time I have seen him use his foot is to nudge a dog to distract  its attention away from whatever is exciting it.  I think he has a wonderful calm manner with both people and dogs.

His entire training method is based around bullying, he just makes dogs fear him more than anything else, ditto JG..... wouldnt let him near a STUFFED dog.

It's strange, but I wondered that too.  I don't have a problem with Cesar.  I don't see what he does as bullying.  I also don't think the dog would be dead now if he'd had somebody like Cesar training him and his owners.

I watched the programme.  The dog was unpredictable, and the owner was completely useless...never a good combination, but from what I saw, the dog was frightened.

I rarely watch dog borstal, because I don't like their methods (I've seen rattle bottles used with nervy dogs) but I watched this one.  It only made me dislike the programme more.

Kicking and punching isn't bullying? Okay. Suffice to say I wouldn't let him within a mile of my dogs.

JG, I almost always agree with you, so don't hate me!! But I've not seen Cesar kick or punch a dog, a nudge with a foot or a push with his hand that's all I've ever seen.  I've done those things with my own dogs, and I honestly have never had a problem with it.

On the other hand.....I did see Cesar cornering a nervous dog, with a chair by a swimming pool once, which I completely disagreed with.  He's certainly not perfect!

he also pinned the bichon and made it squeal several times

>JG, I almost always agree with you, so don't hate me!!

Lol! I'd never criticise someone for disagreeing with me! :D I've not seen a lot of his programmes (it depends if I'm at a friend's house who's got more than terrestrial TV) but I've seen enough to mistrust the man immensely.