[Ichneumon]

While that may be very true, most dogs owners do NOT obedience train their pets, be they Yorkies or Rottweillers. Obedience train your dog. Make your life and the lives of those around you, not to mention your dog's life easier.

Excellent point, one that bears repeating.

It should also be pointed out that while an improperly trained little dog is just an annoyance, an improperly trained large dog (of *any* breed) can be dangerous. People who own large dogs need to take their responsbility seriously.

And come to think of it, the same is true of people who raise children... A poorly raised child is far more likely to become an adult who is some sort of danger to themselves or others.

[annyokie]

Thank you. My children have been obedience trained, as well. I can take them anywhere and youngest son is only six.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Trouble is, most pit bulls are owned by teens and young adults whose parents didn't bother to train THEM. Expecting these young thugs to train and supervise their dogs properly is about as realistic as expecting your Chihuahua to do your taxes for you.

[doberville]

"While that may be very true, most dogs owners do NOT obedience train their pets, be they Yorkies or Rottweillers. Obedience train your dog. Make your life and the lives of those around you, not to mention your dog's life easier."

Agree wholeheartedly. Untrained dogs are like ill mannered children: destructive and annoying. ALL my Dobies are trained. Some have CDs.

HOWEVER, it needs to be said that some PEOPLE are incredibly stupid and inflammatory in their interactions with dogs. Some get in my dogs faces with treatening noises and gestures. They stare at them for prolongued periods. They raise weapons above their heads near the dogs - and then wonder why the animals become protective.

But make no mistake. Regardless of how imbecilic or oafish the human behaviour, THE DOG ALWAYS, ALWAYS LOSES. Repeat: The dog always loses.

So, regardless of what sort of dog you own, TRAIN him, control him or LOSE him.