--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You kick a dog long enough, that dog is…" description: "\"You kick a dog long enough, that dog is going to bite you or die.\" — Dave Pelzer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddf/dave-pelzer-9832_bite_you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-g_1211881.jpg" --- # You kick a dog long enough, that dog is going to bite you… ![“You kick a dog long enough, that dog is going to bite you or die.” quote by Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddf/dave-pelzer-9832_bite_you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-g_1211881.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddf/dave-pelzer-9832_bite_you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-g_1211881.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddf/dave-pelzer-9832_bite_you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-g_1211881.jpg) > “You kick a dog long enough, that dog is going to bite you or die.” [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Repeated mistreatment leads to retaliation or self-destruction; the cycle of abuse is destructive. **In simple terms:** Abuse breeds harmful outcomes. Key Takeaway Break the cycle of abuse. Themes abuse violence consequences psychology Mood somber reflective Type cautionary psychological When to use this quote - family conflict - workplace bullying - self-harm prevention Key Concepts cycle of retaliation survival instinct Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to stop abusive patterns? - How does power imbalance affect behavior? A Different Perspective Abuse may stem from deeper trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) ## Related quotes > [“Now, don't kick a dog 'cause it's only a pup!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/now-don-t-kick-a-dog-cause-it-s-only-a-pup/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [I always hated those classic kid movies like Old Yeller or The Yearling where the beloved pet dies. What would be so wrong with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merrill-markoe/i-always-hated-those-classic-kid-movies-like-old-yeller-or-the/) [Merrill Markoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merrill-markoe/) > [There's only so many times you can kick a dog before it turns viscous. (Julian)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/there-s-only-so-many-times-you-can-kick-a-dog-before-it-turns-viscous/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [It's like having a pet dog for a long time. You get attached to it, and when it dies you miss it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/it-s-like-having-a-pet-dog-for-a-long-time-you-get-attached-to-it-and/) [Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/) > [It is very easy to forget how much of a pain training is when you have a dog for so long, but trust me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/it-is-very-easy-to-forget-how-much-of-a-pain-training-is-when-you/) [Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/) > [I always like a dog so long as he isn't spelled backward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-always-like-a-dog-so-long-as-he-isn-t-spelled-backward/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If you walk the dog long enough, you'll eventually be able to get him to poop.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-smith/if-you-walk-the-dog-long-enough-you-ll-eventually-be-able-to-get-him/) Tim Smith > [If you saw a dog going to be crushed under a car, wouldn’t you help him?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oskar-schindler/if-you-saw-a-dog-going-to-be-crushed-under-a-car-wouldn-t-you-help-him/) [Oskar Schindler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oskar-schindler/) > [The dog always dies. Go to the library and pick out a book with an award sticker and a dog on the cover. Trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-korman/the-dog-always-dies-go-to-the-library-and-pick-out-a-book-with-an/) [Gordon Korman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-korman/) > [“My dog is going to come back to me. I’m going to find him, and I’m going to bring him home. We’re going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-graham/my-dog-is-going-to-come-back-to-me-i-m-going-to-find-him-and-i-m/) Gail Graham > [There is a huge difference between a dog that is going to eat you in your mind and an actual dog that's going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/there-is-a-huge-difference-between-a-dog-that-is-going-to-eat-you-in/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [“One day Your dog is going to safe your life, that's a fact.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/one-day-your-dog-is-going-to-safe-your-life-that-s-a-fact/) Deyth Banger > [The reality is, if you have a high-level-energy dog, it's not going to be happy with a one-hour walk. Those types of dogs are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/the-reality-is-if-you-have-a-high-level-energy-dog-it-s-not-going-to/) [Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/) > [Ever see this? It's a homeless guy but he's got a dog... The dog's really thrilled with this idea. The dog's going, Hey pal,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/ever-see-this-it-s-a-homeless-guy-but-he-s-got-a-dog-the-dog-s-really/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [This alpha dog is not going to take it lying down next time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-dickinson/this-alpha-dog-is-not-going-to-take-it-lying-down-next-time/) [Janice Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-dickinson/) ## More by Dave Pelzer > [“When we forgive, we free ourselves from the bitter ties that bind us to the one who hurt us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/when-we-forgive-we-free-ourselves-from-the-bitter-ties-that-bind-us/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [“Be good, be honest and fair, find something I believe in, work hard and keep the faith no matter how long it takes?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/be-good-be-honest-and-fair-find-something-i-believe-in-work-hard-and/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [In life you are going to make mistakes, you're going to fall down, but it's the getting up that counts. Just like in baseball:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/in-life-you-are-going-to-make-mistakes-you-re-going-to-fall-down-but/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [To help yourself, you must be yourself. Be the best that you can be. When you make a mistake, learn from it, pick yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/to-help-yourself-you-must-be-yourself-be-the-best-that-you-can-be/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [well, young man," the judge began, what it biols down to this if the court so desires and if you belive that your home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/well-young-man-the-judge-began-what-it-biols-down-to-this-if-the/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [I'm so alive. As I stand facing the beauty of the never-ending Pacific Ocean, a late afternoon breeze blows down from the hills behind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/i-m-so-alive-as-i-stand-facing-the-beauty-of-the-never-ending-pacific/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [When you please others in hopes of being accepted, you lose you self-worth in the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/when-you-please-others-in-hopes-of-being-accepted-you-lose-you-self/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [“That day I vowed to myself that I would never, ever again give that bitch the satisfaction of hearing me beg her to stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/that-day-i-vowed-to-myself-that-i-would-never-ever-again-give-that/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [I work 338 days a year, 16 hours a day,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/i-work-338-days-a-year-16-hours-a-day/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [...and deliver me from evil." "Amen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/and-deliver-me-from-evil-amen/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [If people have a basic understanding of right from wrong, possess a strong desire to better themselves and persist in there cause, they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/if-people-have-a-basic-understanding-of-right-from-wrong-possess-a/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > ['A Child Called It' was a story about resilience, it was never about boo hoo hoo, it was about a kid that didn't quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/a-child-called-it-was-a-story-about-resilience-it-was-never-about-boo/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [The Stovepipe is a memoir full of laughter and tears and a moving story of sisterly love as well as their will to survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/the-stovepipe-is-a-memoir-full-of-laughter-and-tears-and-a-moving/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [“It is important for people to know that no matter what lies in their past, they can overcome the dark side and press on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/it-is-important-for-people-to-know-that-no-matter-what-lies-in-their/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [Build on past successes, be grateful for what you do have, and know that this, too, shall pass. It's only for the now. Whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/build-on-past-successes-be-grateful-for-what-you-do-have-and-know/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) [Explore all 70 Dave Pelzer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) Mak\_786 > [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You kick a dog long enough, that dog is going to bite you or die.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dave Pelzer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-going-to-bite-you-or-die/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Animal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-going-to-bite-you-or-die/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddf/dave-pelzer-9832_bite_you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-g_1211881.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddf/dave-pelzer-9832_bite_you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-g_1211881.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddf/dave-pelzer-9832_bite_you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-g_1211881.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You kick a dog long enough, that dog is going to bite you or die.” — Dave Pelzer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dave Pelzer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You kick a dog long enough,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-going-to-bite-you-or-die/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/you-kick-a-dog-long-enough-that-dog-is-going-to-bite-you-or-die/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```