# I pit people who don't train their little dogs. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 7, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093 "2012-02-07T17:44:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/41 "2012-02-10T23:26:53Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > (I like posting in the Pit. I can curse here.) You can curse anywhere. You just can’t direct your curses at individuals in other forums. Weez all growed up around here, we can take it. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/42 "2012-02-10T23:50:34Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > Love me, love my dog(s). That’s the rule in my house. You don’t like dogs, feel free not to come over. Your loss, not mine. > > And the absolute worst thing my dog will do to you is snuggle against you on the couch and possibly lay his head on your leg. He stays away from doors when visitors come. Or if he does come close, it’s to have a good look at you. And he weighs 40 lbs. Is that really a problem for people? > > We never walk our dog off leash and we take him to a leash free fenced in park. Where he avoids all other dogs but every human he approaches loves the shit out of him. > > (I like posting in the Pit. I can curse here.) Your dogs sound fine to me. ---
**Author:** ![cetewayo53](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e495f1/32.png) [@cetewayo53](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cetewayo53)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/43 "2012-03-07T00:32:22Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > Gladly! do you think that is cute. a dog is a dog no matter how you love them. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/44 "2012-03-07T00:36:19Z")
> [@cetewayo53](#): > > do you think that is cute. a dog is a dog no matter how you love them. I have no idea what you just tried to say to me. Yes, dogs are dogs. That’s why we call them “dogs”. Did you imagine I was under the impression they were squids, or candle-holders, or space-aliens or something? Yes, a dog is a dog. ---
**Author:** ![cetewayo53](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e495f1/32.png) [@cetewayo53](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cetewayo53)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/45 "2012-03-07T00:57:45Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > I have no idea what you just tried to say to me. Yes, dogs are dogs. That’s why we call them “dogs”. Did you imagine I was under the impression they were squids, or candle-holders, or space-aliens or something? Yes, a dog is a dog. you may have get this post by mistake, but there is no mistake you are a smart ass. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/46 "2012-03-07T01:10:20Z")
> [@cetewayo53](#): > > you may have get this post by mistake, but there is no mistake you are a smart ass. Now you’re insulting me because I don’t understand why you think I don’t think a dog is a dog? Maybe that does make me a smart ass. I don’t understand why. But OK. Do you often accuse people of not understanding basic concepts, and when they indicate they do, in fact, understand those concepts, call them “smart asses”? It’s an interesting social strategy, certainly. I’d be curious as to how that generally works out for you? Do people usually respond positively to it? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/47 "2012-03-07T02:00:42Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > Now you’re insulting me because I don’t understand why you think I don’t think a dog is a dog? > > Maybe that does make me a smart ass. I don’t understand why. But OK. > > Do you often accuse people of not understanding basic concepts, and when they indicate they do, in fact, understand those concepts, call them “smart asses”? > > It’s an interesting social strategy, certainly. I’d be curious as to how that generally works out for you? Do people usually respond positively to it? I think **cetewayo53** ’s point is that he thinks you think that beyond being a dog, your dog is a family member. And that he thinks that is foolish. Feel free to jump in any time and correct me, **cetewayo53**. P.S. Welcome to the Dope. You appear to be choosing the hard way of inserting yourself into the community, but welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/48 "2012-03-07T03:00:54Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I think **cetewayo53** ’s point is that he thinks you think that beyond being a dog, your dog is a family member. And that he thinks that is foolish. Well, he’s more important to my family than cetewayo53 is, obviously. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > P.S. Welcome to the Dope. You appear to be choosing the hard way of inserting yourself into the community, but welcome. I’ve been here for years! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/49 "2012-03-07T04:50:27Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > I’ve been here for years! _You_ have. _He_ just joined in the last few days. The welcome was intended for him. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![SticksAndString](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@SticksAndString](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SticksAndString)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/50 "2012-03-07T17:59:49Z")
Do you mind if I jump in on this and join you? I’m a cat person m’self but I don’t mind dogs as long as they’re reasonably well trained no matter what size they are. But there is a family a couple houses down that has the most annoying little yapper I’ve ever come across. Slim (my DS) isn’t fond of yappy little anklebiters. This one has him so freaked that if he sees it even when he’s in OUR yard three houses away, he runs to get me. Once, as we were walking down the sidewalk the yapper lunged at Slim who attempted to scramble onto my back, but that wasn’t going to work. I’m not terribly tall to begin with and Slim has such long legs that if I gave him a piggyback ride, it would look like Shaquille O’Neal trying to ride a Shetland pony. 😃 The owners of the yapper just yelled “Oh he won’t bite!”. Like THAT’S any comfort. Oi. And I know he WILL bite…my friend who lives next door to the yapper has been bitten on the ankle by him…in her own garage. She was puttering around, moving stuff and the yapper ran in and started gnawing on her leg. D: ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/51 "2012-03-07T18:18:33Z")
I’ll fess up - my min pin was a poorly behaved little monster. Housebroken yes, but he still marked furniture, despite our best efforts. Our other two dogs (also small) were (and are still) much better behaved, but that one, he was a terror. As far as snarling (check), growling (check), he did that to all guests, unless they were well-known to him. Snapping - sigh - yes, but only when people grabbed at him. I know - no excuse - we did a shitty job training him. Poor little Skip passed away due to cancer at the ripe old age of 13, earlier this month. He was a naughty dog most of his life, but we did our best. He wasn’t a good dog for other people, but he was a good dog for us - he loved us with every fiber of his being, and we loved him back just as much. So yeah, for my part, I accept being pitted for not properly trainiig and socializing Skip. We failed him. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/52 "2012-03-07T18:29:43Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > _You_ have. _He_ just joined in the last few days. The welcome was intended for him. > > :rolleyes: I know. That time I actually _was_ being a smart-ass. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/53 "2012-03-07T18:47:12Z")
Bottom line is all dogs should have at least some minimal training to make then good doggie citizens. Large or small doesn’t matter. In my experience small dogs are more often the less well trained though. Perhaps it is because a small dog can be picked up to avoid most any situation whereas a big dog can’t be hauled in so easily so must manage better on its own (just guessing). Also, if a big dog has a “bad moment” and bites the results can be substantially worse than a small dog biting (which is not to say small dogs can’t cause some serious damage…I have seen in person what a small lap dog did to an acquaintance’s nose and it was several hospital visits and surgery bad). Still, in general, a big dog has more potential to cause damage so it is more critical they are trained to be able to handle themselves calmly and not snap. Broad brush I know. There are plenty of poorly trained big dogs out there too. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/54 "2012-03-07T19:24:20Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > I know. That time I actually _was_ being a smart-ass. 🙂 Oh, okay. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/55 "2012-03-07T19:32:50Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > I don’t like Cesar Milan though. He used to get very physical with the dogs, flipping bulldogs over on their backs and holding them down by the neck until they submitted…Dogs aren’t wolves like Cesar thinks. Yes, they evolved from them, but they’ve lived with humans for a long time and have come a long way. But they are animals that need to know, as their parents and great-great grandparents knew, that they live only as long as we let them and we, as the Alphas, can kill them whenever we want. They aren’t little humans and they live only as long as we let them live. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/56 "2012-03-07T21:14:11Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > But they are animals that need to know, as their parents and great-great grandparents knew, that they live only as long as we let them and we, as the Alphas, can kill them whenever we want. They aren’t little humans and they live only as long as we let them live. No we can’t. Not in most jurisdictions, anyway. I can’t just kill my dog on a whim and not expect criminal charges. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/57 "2012-03-07T21:18:22Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > But they are animals that need to know, as their parents and great-great grandparents knew, that they live only as long as we let them and we, as the Alphas, can kill them whenever we want. They aren’t little humans and they live only as long as we let them live. > [@Candyman74](#): > > No we can’t. Not in most jurisdictions, anyway. I can’t just kill my dog on a whim and not expect criminal charges. I think you’re missing the point. The dog has no way of comprehending that you are restrained by LAW from gratuitously killing him; he has to be taught to believe that your allowing him to live with you is contingent upon _his acceptance of you_\* as his Alpha. \*Feel free to replace that with _his submission to you_, if that feels more “right.” ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/58 "2012-03-07T22:01:31Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I think you’re missing the point. The dog has no way of comprehending that you are restrained by LAW from gratuitously killing him; he has to be taught to believe that your allowing him to live with you is contingent upon _his acceptance of you_\* as his Alpha. > > \*Feel free to replace that with _his submission to you_, if that feels more “right.” I don’t think my dog even has a concept of death; certainly not that it might apply to him. But yes, I get your point. He certainly knows who’s in charge, and seems to like it that way. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/59 "2012-03-08T03:18:45Z")
> [@SticksAndString](#): > > And I know he WILL bite..my friend who lives next door to the yapper has been bitten on the ankle by him..in her own garage. She was puttering around, moving stuff and the yapper ran in and started gnawing on her leg. D: Someone needs to talk to animal control about a dog that has bitten at least one person and is not being confined. > [@Candyman74](#): > > No we can’t. Not in most jurisdictions, anyway. I can’t just kill my dog on a whim and not expect criminal charges. Sure you can. Put dog in car, drive to vet, have dog killed. Or if you don’t want to pay for it, put dog in car, drive to shelter, tell them dog bit you and you are afraid he will bite someone else, dog is killed. I’m also not sure it’s illegal for _you_ to actually kill a dog, as long as you do it humanely. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093/60 "2012-03-08T04:37:16Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > I’m also not sure it’s illegal for _you_ to actually kill a dog, as long as you do it humanely. Humane is a matter of opinion, I guess… someone shot two dogs in the back of the head at point-blank range, which seems pretty damned humane (if sad) to me, and he is being sought on animal cruelty charges. Since the dogs are pretty much guaranteed to have felt nothing, I don’t see where the animal cruelty is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-train-their-little-dogs/612093.md?page=4)