To the editor: Dog walking business owner Melonie San Pietro tells the truth about paying attention to dog cues to avoid bites. But she doesn't tell us what to do with that information or who should do what.
I know well, I am rescuing a traumatized and very affectionate dog. The biggest challenge is not the dog; It is pedestrians and especially dog owners and their off-leash dogs who gleefully claim the right to interact with our “really cute dog.”
It is the latter who really do not pay attention, not only to my dog or theirs, but also to the signs posted on the dog's leash. While everyone can lose in these situations, the real loser is my dog, who is re-traumatized because I am doing everything I can to get him to an emotionally safe space.
San Pietro alludes to the division in the world of dog training between affirmative and aversive training. She dismisses stimulation collars, but mine has been a game changer. Like any tool, it can be misused and even abused. At best, it is a “hearing aid that helps your dog hear and value your words,” as my trainer said.
Just like in the real world, the real answer is a balanced approach that sometimes requires tough love. Ask any parent if they could raise their children solely on treats and praise, or maybe that's why we have trouble listening to others and finding a middle ground in the culture wars.
Gary Keene, Ventura
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To the editor: San Pietro places much of the blame for dog bites on the victim, but there is no good reason to force the public to accept the danger of a bite. We have leash laws and it's time to muzzle all dogs in public. So they can't bite.
We should also consider requiring dog insurance so owners can cover the enormous medical expenses of the 4.5 million dog bites reported annually in the United States.
Many people are afraid of dogs, and with good reason. Dogs kill up to 50 Americans a year, often defenseless children or the elderly. Dogs can be unpredictable and all breeds bite.
On two separate occasions while shopping, I asked owners of dogs that got too close to me to stay away. One followed me to the parking lot, got angry and rushed towards me screaming, trying to get the dog to bite me. The other owner took the dog from him, pushed him inches from my face, and moved forward while I backed away. I was terrified.
Dean Reber, West Hollywood
