[MrsBoats]

I'm sure you guys all remember that discussion that stemmed from the Chi/Husky dog park thread that grew into people willing to take the risk with their dogs off leash. Here's a little reality check for those who felt it was "worth the risk..."

Here's a screen cap from a video taken of my dog (the rottie) two weeks ago at a dog show doing out of sight sit stays in open obedience.

See the shepherd over on the right....he's now dead. Want to know how he died??

I'm removing the dog's name from where where I learned about this...

My deepest love and sympathy goes out to the owners of Bahamian Ch., SG XXXXXXXXXXXXX BH, CDX, RE, NA, NF, CGC, Bah. CD, Bah. RN, TDI. XXXX was killed yesterday. He unfortunately ran into the path of a car while chasing a fox. His owners are wonderful people and accomplished dog owners - they have an older Labrador who is titled up to Utility, has all his rally, and many agility titles.

That dog's owner was the sweetest woman and the poor dog was one of the most lovely GSDs I had ever met.

So, you're fooling yourself if you don't think the unthinkable can happen to you and your dog. It can happen to any of us.

 

[Willowy]

Of course bad things can happen to anyone. Does that mean it's not worth the risk? That's up to the individual person.

Should I post all the reports of people dying in car accidents on the way to the grocery store? Will that make anyone stop driving to the grocery store? Gasp! They're putting themselves and their children (and maybe dogs!) at unacceptable risk! Driving is so dangerous, how dare they! Do you think pointing out all the horseback riding accidents will make people stop riding? Will pointing out all the sailing accidents (there were at least 2 high-profile ones recently) make people stop sailing?

 

[Willowy]

More on point, if I dig up all the cases of dogs being put down due to ACL tears or other injuries incurred while doing agility, would you stop doing agility? Apparently you've decided it's an acceptable risk for you and your dog.

 

[MrsBoats]

If I had a dog that wasn't structurally sound, I would not do agility with it. I would not take that risk. I didn't do agility with or jumped my rescued rottweiler higher than 12" for obedience/rally so he wouldn't get injured. He was an orthopedic mess. If my new puppy isn't structurally sound, he will not do agility. I won't risk it.

You have no idea the amount effort I expend to keep my dog in condition to minimize the risk of injury. You have no idea how many performance dog health professionals see and assess my dog regularly so I can minimize his risk of injury. I minimize the risk of my dog getting killed or lost by choosing to keep them on leash in non enclosed areas.

You obviously have some sort of an issue with me...I'm going to agree to disagree with you.

 

[Willowy]

I have no issue with anybody . But I think you'd be cranky if someone posted an "OMG!!1!1!, these people are stoopid!" thread every time a dog was injured or killed because of dog sports or showing. Certainly not everybody will have the same opinions, agreeing to disagree is fine.

Dogs need exercise; probably more dogs are killed because of lack of exercise (due to bad behavior) than who are killed in exercise-related accidents. Picking on other peoples' methods of exercising their dogs isn't useful. We all choose what risks we think are acceptable.

 

[Miss Bugs]

TBH I could not care less how many obedience titles a dog has, I have seen too many dogs that behave great in a ring but are usless in RL situations, as a result if someones says so and so is a great trainer or dog xyz is suberbly trained because of top obedience titles, I go "ya, and?" all thats means is the dog knows what a ring is and how to behave in one, doesnt mean they wont chase a fox or a cat or whatever in a real world situation.

thats said, I am not a worry wart, dogs are dogs, I know my dogs and I use that to mimimize the chances of getting seriously injured or killed, but less serious injurys dont bother me in the slightest.

 

[Pawzk9]

Of course bad things can happen to anyone. Does that mean it's not worth the risk? That's up to the individual person.

Should I post all the reports of people dying in car accidents on the way to the grocery store? Will that make anyone stop driving to the grocery store? Gasp! They're putting themselves and their children (and maybe dogs!) at unacceptable risk! Driving is so dangerous, how dare they! Do you think pointing out all the horseback riding accidents will make people stop riding? Will pointing out all the sailing accidents (there were at least 2 high-profile ones recently) make people stop sailing?

None of that makes running your dog off leash near roads a good idea. My dogs are trained to stay with me. They are trained to recall. I still tend to be careful (i.e. on leash) in areas near streets or where they might find something to "critter". And I don't find it particularly responsible to poo poo that danger just because other things contain elements of danger too.
I believe my dogs to be about 99% trained. Obviously this Shepherd was also well trained if he was in Open. But there is always that !% that you and your dog aren't prepared for.