Spanking -- What would you do?

MoonStr80 · 10-04-2008, 04:01 PM

Whenever I walk Johnnie, at this particular house they have a Boxer and a saggy Yorkie Terrier, the owners are not the kindest dog owners you'd ever see etc I always over hear the yelling at the dogs

Anyways their Yorkie always bolts off their lawn or/and out of the front door few times, this little guy has always ran up to me when I walk Johnnie and I have picked up the dog and bring him back to it's owner

Several times I witness the dog being spanked right in front of my eyes!! I always go back home upset because I don't know what to do?

Well .. One incest happened the dog bolts out the front door almost getting hit by a car no one seems to be runny out the door saving this poor guy

I got on the ground calling the dog over and I scoop the dog in my arms handed him over to the owner. Where I witness the worse the guy puts the dog in the air spanking the dog. I said "Hey, you shouldn't do that" he replied "well he gotta learn"

With a shame look I rush home upset! My mom says to me "You should keep your mouth shut, other wise he can come back with a gun or hit you instead

What would you do? I need your opinion

RonE · 10-04-2008, 04:07 PM

People who hit their dogs, or their kids, aren't going to accept advice from anybody. Not unless the advice-giver is bigger, meaner or better armed than the abuser.

I've confronted some people, because I AM bigger, meaner and often angrier than most people, but I can't recommend it as a normal course of action. You could be putting yourself, or your dog, at risk.

MoonStr80 · 10-04-2008, 04:09 PM

Okay it's sad when I have witness dog abuse right in front of my eyes, NOW in case of children the parents usually do it behind doors then dogs etc

I really don't understand it

zimandtakandgrrandmimi · 10-04-2008, 04:10 PM

how about an anonymous report to animal control?

MoonStr80 · 10-04-2008, 04:12 PM

Maybe ... I will have to consider it!

blunder · 10-04-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimandtakandgrrandmimi

how about an anonymous report to animal control?

Agree, don't put yourself at risk. It is someones job to take care of things like that. So let them do it, that is why we pay them.

Filnyyena · 10-04-2008, 07:32 PM

This situation is bad..But I don't have a problem with spanking as long as it does not go beyond that, and it is appropriate..Like, a slightly-firmer than a pat to the flank when they are just totally out of control, not listening to commands, and someone can become harmed.. It startles them and gets there attention back to you..Granted, I have only done this a total of three times (IF that) to my 12+year old girl in her entire life span, and I always felt bad afterward. When the situation calls for it, and it is done IN the moment, not two minutes later, then I have no problem with it..

NocturneWolf · 10-05-2008, 01:11 AM

Isn't reporting someone for hitting a dog taking it too far? How many here would even report a mother that gave her kid a whack on the behind for being a brat? There's a line betwen spanking or giving a dog/kid a whack on the butt and giving a dog a beating or abusing it. I mean, if you saw the guy drop kick the dog or really go at him enough to do some real damage then I can see it as abuse.

I'm betting at one time or another, posters here have done the same thing. You didn't know any better and weren't hurting the dog but just take a minute to think about what it would have done to your life if someone had reported you if you ever spanked a dog. Maybe it was yesterday, maybe it was 20yrs ago and that's all you knew. That was ME 25yrs ago and it was a long way to go to find better methods to train and control dogs. I always had large dogs and that was just the way they were dealt with then. I never abused any of my dogs. I gave them a smack on the butt to get their attention or to reinforce a behavior. That was the only way I trained dogs way back then, and despite me finding better methods, you're crazy if you think my dogs were abused. Or that myself or someone like this OP's neighbor deserves to have AC called on them for something like this. I actually have a thick headed dog now, and while 99% of his training is positive method, there are situations where I need to remind him who is boss. So if someone saw me grab him by the scruff or whack him on the butt that would mean I'm some kind of an abusive owner and my dog should be taken away? Just think about other people for a moment. If the behavior bothers you that bad, educate the owner. Do you have any old training books you can lend him?
Just a quick story. My sister used to be a do gooder busybody when it came to other people's animals. She takes in strays and is a real dog lover. There was one guy in the neighborhood who lost his job and stopped feeding and caring for his dog like he used to. She used to go on and on about how poorly this dog was taken care of, and it had fleas now, and was missing a patch of fur. I told her one day if it bothered her so much, why didn't she shut up and anonymously leave a $5 bag of food and a flea collar at the guy's doorstep. I don't have time to get into the whole story but she did this and as a result it made such a huge difference to both the man and the dog, and my sister made a new friend, and gave him lots of good advice on how to help his dog. What she did only cost a few dollars but it meant the world to this neighbor. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar and lets not be so quick to report our neighbors for something that was not even done in malice. There are better ways to help the dog.

Curbside Prophet · 10-05-2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NocturneWolf

but just take a minute to think about what it would have done to your life if someone had reported you if you ever spanked a dog.

Chances are nothing would happen to them other than a warning letter stating any further complaints will resort to further action by the agency. Most animal control agencies don't have the time or resources to investigate every case, especially one time offenses with no prior convictions.

Although your choice of action is commendable, it's not always safe.

Lolas_Dad · 10-05-2008, 09:23 AM

There is absolutely no reason to hit a dog or children. The guy is training his dog the wrong way and one of the reasons the dog is running out of the house is to get away from the abuser. Proper training is the key.

Most times when dogs misbehave it is because the owner does not know how to communicate with the dog and does not know the proper way to train a dog. If you watch "It's me or the dog" and "The dog whisperer" you will see what I am talking about. The owner is the one that needs to be re-trained.

RonE · 10-05-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

The owner is the one that needs to be re-trained.

Agreed, but it is not illegal to be a very poor trainer.

Animal control would have a different definition of animal abuse than most of us.

zimandtakandgrrandmimi · 10-05-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NocturneWolf

Isn't reporting someone for hitting a dog taking it too far? How many here would even report a mother that gave her kid a whack on the behind for being a brat? There's a line betwen spanking or giving a dog/kid a whack on the butt and giving a dog a beating or abusing it. I mean, if you saw the guy drop kick the dog or really go at him enough to do some real damage then I can see it as abuse.

I'm betting at one time or another, posters here have done the same thing. You didn't know any better and weren't hurting the dog but just take a minute to think about what it would have done to your life if someone had reported you if you ever spanked a dog. Maybe it was yesterday, maybe it was 20yrs ago and that's all you knew. That was ME 25yrs ago and it was a long way to go to find better methods to train and control dogs. I always had large dogs and that was just the way they were dealt with then. I never abused any of my dogs. I gave them a smack on the butt to get their attention or to reinforce a behavior. That was the only way I trained dogs way back then, and despite me finding better methods, you're crazy if you think my dogs were abused. Or that myself or someone like this OP's neighbor deserves to have AC called on them for something like this. I actually have a thick headed dog now, and while 99% of his training is positive method, there are situations where I need to remind him who is boss. So if someone saw me grab him by the scruff or whack him on the butt that would mean I'm some kind of an abusive owner and my dog should be taken away? Just think about other people for a moment. If the behavior bothers you that bad, educate the owner. Do you have any old training books you can lend him?
Just a quick story. My sister used to be a do gooder busybody when it came to other people's animals. She takes in strays and is a real dog lover. There was one guy in the neighborhood who lost his job and stopped feeding and caring for his dog like he used to. She used to go on and on about how poorly this dog was taken care of, and it had fleas now, and was missing a patch of fur. I told her one day if it bothered her so much, why didn't she shut up and anonymously leave a $5 bag of food and a flea collar at the guy's doorstep. I don't have time to get into the whole story but she did this and as a result it made such a huge difference to both the man and the dog, and my sister made a new friend, and gave him lots of good advice on how to help his dog. What she did only cost a few dollars but it meant the world to this neighbor. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar and lets not be so quick to report our neighbors for something that was not even done in malice. There are better ways to help the dog.

it was simply a suggestion as the OP seemed concerned. All we here are able to do is offer posters options to consider. and so I did...

AirForceAngel · 10-05-2008, 10:35 AM

Had I witnessed that, I likely would have mentioned that I know better and more effective training methods and would request the grand opportunity to take some time to give said owner a run-over of more proper training methods.

Some instances are just ripe with educational opportunity.

Jen D · 10-05-2008, 10:40 AM

Ask the owner if they would like to find a new home for the dog, someone that would have time to get him trained? Then if by any luck he says yes you could contact a rescue to help you out.

zimandtakandgrrandmimi · 10-05-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirForceAngel

Had I witnessed that, I likely would have mentioned that I know better and more effective training methods and would request the grand opportunity to take some time to give said owner a run-over of more proper training methods.

Some instances are just ripe with educational opportunity.

and some people will claw your eyes out in pride for trying to show them a better way and insist their methods are fine.

So how do you know which it is in any given case?

AirForceAngel · 10-05-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimandtakandgrrandmimi

and some people will claw your eyes out in pride for trying to show them a better way and insist their methods are fine.

So how do you know which it is in any given case?

I take a more "casual mention" or "quick demo" approach. Ever meet those shovey-a** people who ask if you want to do/see something but don't wait for a response and crowd you out to do what they want regardless of what you say or do?

I'm that A-hole.

blunder · 10-05-2008, 12:08 PM

Still, it depends on who you are and who you are dealing with. I'm 6'3" 220lbs, so I would be inclined to be a bit assertive. That, however would not be something that I would want my 13 year old granddaughter doing under any circumstance.

AirForceAngel · 10-05-2008, 12:18 PM

I'm only 5'3" and I weigh 125 lbs. Lolz. I'd still get in someone's face if I honestly thought they were in the wrong.

I use my confidence and in-your-face attitude to intimidate people, though. Lolz.

BobSD · 10-05-2008, 12:54 PM

I know some will not agree with me but, I would pick the dog up and take it home with me to live the good life!

blackrose · 10-05-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobSD

I know some will not agree with me but, I would pick the dog up and take it home with me to live the good life!

LOL I was thinking the same thing...if the dog keeps getting loose and the owner doesn't care, what is to stop someone from getting the dog and turning it into the shelter?

On the note of spanking....no, I don't agree with it, but I don't find it abuse. Shoot, a neighbor would chase her dogs with a broom when they left their property and she'd give them a sweeping whack with it on the behind. The dogs weren't injured and they are very well taken care of. If that is abuse, then what is someone who beats the sh*t out of their dog every time it jumps on the couch, shocks it with an e-collar when it isn't laying down quietly, and has the dog so scared that every time it sees the owner it goes belly up and pees, which it then gets beat for? (And yes, a lady I used to work with had a neighbor who did just that to their American Bulldog.)

Choose your battles wisely.