I am watching a thread on a horse board where someone is asking for advice on their pair of aggressive rotties. So far we have had Jan Fennel recommended, various pack/dominance theories offered and the usual clap trap branded about. I had neither the time, nor the inclination to read through 3 pages of "advice", so I simply put a post up advising a qualified behaviourist go and see the dogs in their own home and to not take any advice given otherwise.

Someone else has replied to the thread suggesting the OP pm them for hints and tips on dealing with this behaviour in their way. Assuming they are not qualified - I wonder if they could be sued if the advice given causes the dogs behaviour to worsen and someone is bitten as a result?

*ponders*

Mmmmm, not sure.  Dog behaviourist or trainer or whatever is not a protected profession such as Vet or Doctor so I suppose any Tom, Dick or Harry can give their opinion as could your neighbour over the fence. More fool the owners for taking the advise from someone without at least some qualifications as they are certainly going to be liable if their dog causes an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act

Hmmm (pondering :D )

I don't see how someone offering private, personal opinion on how they would deal with a problem can be sued if it goes wrong - at the end of the day the owner of the dogs is the one responsible for ensuring that they cause no fear or damage to anyone/thing.

If qualified, I doubt this person offering advice would do so without the benefit of meeting the dogs in person and in situ     Sounds a tad like someone who *thinks* they know it all is very unwisely becoming involved in something for which they themselves wont have to suffer the repercussions but the owner may very well have to - not to mention anyone/animal possibly hurt by the dogs and of course the dogs themselves  

Interesting point, Chloe!    In this increasingly "Nanny State", maybe we should all stop giving advice - just in case someone sues the socks off us! :D

Margot

As far as I know, they could only sue if money is exchanged and it becomes "professional" advice but may be wrong.

I do know of an instance a few years ago on an Australian board; sommeone was given advice to alpha roll their malamute by someone. The dog attacked the owner and was put to sleep, and the owner ended up in hospital (the advice was foolish and I won't even bother to comment on it!). The owner tried to sue the actual dog forum, but didn't succeed. Unfortunately I can't remember why they didn't succeed but thought the story was interesting! :P

However, i remember a few years ago doing a first aid course with my OH, we were told to be careful as for example, it was possible to hurt ribs doing artificial respiration and we could be sued! I think we are becoming too much like the US, and it bothers me.

Have to say I'm bothered about the recommendations so far, my goodness, if the poor Rottie owner tries to solve aggression with Jan Fennell and pack stuff they won't get very far I'm sorry to say. IMO you gave excellent advice Chloe!

Lindsay
x

Thanks - am still seething!

Here is a link to the thread - going to PM admin and ask them to lock the other one - I shouldn;t have started 2 but I was in a rage :D

Send her this.  I think it is the answer she is looking for.  She is certainly not willing to acknowledge any shortcoming on her part is she? :rolleyes:

I have had to put that thread down and walk away - it gets worse this morning!

Want the magic wand.............want the magic wand.........does it do housework, ironing, putting things away too??????? Want it and want it NOW :) :)

Why are they not just doing the sensible thing and getting the property properly secured and the view for the dogs obscured to prevent them getting over stimulated, as they are guarding their territory, and the bitch has issues with other dogs.

The excuse of muzzles being ot off are utterly stupid as there are muzzles as used aborad that still use proper bucles and are made of leather or metal that will stay on the most determined dog.  I too have foudn the baskerville ones or the mikki ones useless for staying on as the strap is too far down, and should secure right uner the chin to not be got off by pawing.

I tried both on a scavenging prone dog and gave up.

Although a qualified behaviourist is the usual port of call, I certainly do not think anyone offering advice, good or bad should be sued (gosh, this board would be empty)

Pointing people in the right direction is fine, but all of us dog owners do have experience of our own on how we handle situations, the person who pm'd the lady may well also have Rottie's or experience of dog aggression and is offering advice on how he/she coped with it.

There are many people on this CD site, although not qualified offer very good advice, so a behaviourist is not always needed.

So the suing part I don't agree with............ but the post which has got you seeing red, which I do understand, is that these are aggressive rotties and could be a great danger to others, so like you I would also have suggested a behaviourist.