Top 5 Most Dangerous Dogs

!±8± Top 5 Most Dangerous Dogs

Do you expect the most dangerous dogs list to be topped by the Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher or German Shepherd? The real culprits may surprise you. And you may own one.

If you are afraid of any one canine breed, remember this:

Fear is a learned behavior and we need to stop passing it around like hors d'oeuvres at a party

Somehow people think that every time there is a dog bite victim, it's done by a dangerous dog. It's frightening to see or feel a dog bite. And it's scary to see your own pup attacked. I have experienced both.

The problem is that we all want an easy answer to what kinds of dogs are dangerous. If we can just blame it on a certain breed, we can avoid that breed, or even better, create laws that ban them. Then we have solved the problem and can move on with our lives. Does breed specific legislation solve the problem? No, the truth is:

No One Breed is Dangerous or More apt to Bite Than Another

We need to look at why dogs bite people and other canines. Biting dogs have behavioral problems, not breed problems. Not all canines who bite are aggressive dogs, although they are covered in the real list. Here it is.

Top Five Most Dangerous Dogs

Are fearful Have no true human leadership Have not been properly socialized with people Have not been properly socialized with dogs Are inappropriately treated like people

Not the list you were hoping for is it? Me either. Unfortunately it puts the responsibility where it should be - with the owner, not the dog.

Let's look at life from a canine's point of view. Dogs need leadership. Few want to be the leader. Why would they? It's a lot of work always making sure other members of the pack are following the rules.

When we don't give our dogs rules and what they consider leadership, they feel insecure and forced to take over. Dogs don't have long verbal conversations; don't send each other to their rooms for time out; and don't take away the cell phone as punishment. Dogs correct inappropriate behavior with a growl, nip, or bite. It's the nature of a dog.

Dogs Don't Bite Out Of Maliciousness, Anger Or Hate

Not understanding dog behavior, we misinterpret bad behaviors and become fearful.

Here's an example of a sixteen-year-old girl who is not afraid of dogs. She is also my daughter:

Sarah went to a new friend's house where she was greeted by 5 barking Chihuahuas. She ignored them. Unfortunately the owner did too.

The second time she went to that house, one of the Chihuahuas bit her ankle, grabbed her pant leg and started pulling and growling. The owner did nothing. My daughter bent down and gave her attacker a correction by using Cesar Millan's method. She used her hand like a dog's mouth and with a quick movement 'bit the dog' in the neck while saying 'no'. Not only did the biting and growling stop, but thereafter the Chihuahua asked to be on her lap.

Remember, there is no such thing as a dangerous dog breed. We've seen how the fear of one breed grows like Kudzu, so please... don't plant any seeds.