Dog Community

Please help me re: my fear of certain dog encounters...

Posted : 1/7/2007 5:20:13 PM

I have always had a fear of dogs, but also always liked them. I'm trying to learn more about dogs and they way they communicate, so that I may understand them better, know how to behave around them so that I can get over some of these fears.

On of my biggest fears of all, is if I need to walk up to someone's house, who has a dog in the yard that can get to me. Unless I can see immediately that it is a very friendly, playful dog or not at all interested in me, I am very afraid to walk up to the door, because I know that some dogs are very territorial and protective. So basically I am fearing a potential attack. Others don't seem to have an issue with this............... Just me? But anyhow, is it silly to be afraid of that, and do I have generally nothing to fear? How about if the dog is barking at me? Should I leave again, or just ignore the dog and go on with my buisness?

Any help or advice of any kind? I am also fearful of dogs on the street that's not with the owner, and have nearly been attacked a couple of different times. I now have learned that some of my ways of behaving (with good intent) was actually threatening to the dog, like looking directly at it while reaching out my hand to let it sniff me... But almost being attacked has not helped me at all. One time I was cornered by a growling Rottweiler and was forced to go through the woods, over brush and tree stumps to get to another road, with a double stroller with two toddlers in it, while big pregnant! THAT was no fun. I was certain that he would attack me if I tried to pass him, so felt I had no choice at the time. I did move very calmly and slowly, while ignoring the dog. Tried to pretend I had not even seen him. It really frustrates me that some people can't keep their territorial dogs on a leash. I'm sure I was close to their house, but I was on the road, not in their yard. Did I have another choice?

Any input at all, would be very appreciated.

I have recently discovered a program "the dog whisperer" which is very, very helpful, and suggestions of other programs would also be great!! I am already feeling more confident, but need answers to these specific questions
ETA my signature! [

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ron2

Posted : 1/7/2007 6:18:47 PM

Did I have another choice?

You did the right thing. Do not engage an aggressive dog. Present your side profile and don't hold eye contact. Walk away, do not run. Sometimes, using directstop helps, though it is hard to find, at times. It is a non-toxic spray to ward off dogs.

I don't think you're problem is with dogs in general, just loose dogs that think the street is their territory. I have that all the time here in town with a police force that can't or won't keep up with it and "owners" who are determined to continue to let their dogs run loose. They are ignorant and proud of it.

houndlove

Posted : 1/7/2007 6:20:37 PM

I've got book suggestions for you: The Other End of the Leash and For the Love of a Dog, both by Dr. Patricial McConnell. Very well-written, easy to understand, well researched, down to earth books about communication between humans and dogs (in both directions). When you can understand dog body language and behavior you can start to be able to really assess each dog you meet as friendly or not, and also to know a little bit about how you should act in order to communicate the message you want to commincate with each dog you meet. Dr. McConnell really highlights the differences between how primates and canids express their emotions through body language. Dogs hate hugs (when it's your own dog they'll probably learn to tolerate and even enjoy hugs from you, but in general dogs hate hugs) for instance, yet primates are all about hugging. This very simple fact not being understsood by most people is right there a pretty huge contributer to dogs biting children on their faces. Child goes to hug dog, child's face is consequently right next to the dog's face, dog hate hugs, dog bites child on face.

I've heard from a lot of people who know a lot more than me on the topic that after you study dog body language and then watch The Dog Whisperer with the sound turned off, you'll see a whole other show. I would caution you to getting your information about dogs from that show. The dogs featured on that show are not at all like the vast majority of dogs out there, and Cesar Millan is not much like most professional canine behaviorists out there. Hence his celebrity status: he's got a certain niche that he serves, but most people will never ever need him to deal with their dogs.

spiritdogs

Posted : 1/7/2007 6:28:42 PM

If you want to understand better how to read a dog's body language, there are two really good books you can get. One is Turid Rugaas' "Calming Signals in Dogs", and the other is Brenda Aloff's book on body language. You can get them on dogwise.com.

espencer

Posted : 1/8/2007 12:41:37 PM

Dog sense every single feeling you are having at that moment, i know is hard to stay calm after almost being attacked before but if they sense you are afraid, nervous, etc you are almost saying "i'm not confident enough and you can do whatever you want to me", if you are calm the dog will feel it and will know you dont represent any danger for him, no touch, no talk, no eye contact are 3 rules that you should always follow, if you mind your own business the dog will too

Chuffy

Posted : 1/8/2007 12:56:53 PM

Dog's can't "sense" feelings! I've walked into a kennel where a strange is dog is snarling at me and I've been kacking myself, but I didn't get bitten. Take spiritdogs advice and reading "Calimng Signals...." and don't worry, dog's aren't psychotic mediums that sense your every emotion and react to them. There are things you can do and ways you can behave to calm a dog and avoid getting bitten regardless of whether you feel nervous at the time. Confidence helps of course - but there is nothing wrong with caution as well, and respect for the animal as well as knowledge about their body language. Being calm and unafraid is not a magical shield that will protect you; you can be as unafraid as you like but without C, R & K you still put yourself at greater risk.

snownose

Posted : 1/8/2007 1:06:42 PM

OP, I can understand how you feel, I was bitten by a stray dog when I was a child, in the hand, and the scar remains.
I loved dogs way too much to let one bad incident form a bad opinion about all dogs.

Xerxes

Posted : 1/8/2007 1:12:32 PM

ORIGINAL: espencer

Dog sense every single feeling you are having at that moment, i know is hard to stay calm after almost being attacked before but if they sense you are afraid, nervous, etc you are almost saying "i'm not confident enough and you can do whatever you want to me", if you are calm the dog will feel it and will know you dont represent any danger for him, no touch, no talk, no eye contact are 3 rules that you should always follow, if you mind your own business the dog will too

That is not always true. Also Dogs CANNOT sense feelings.

Your advice is reckless and you are assuming too much espence. You mean well, but following your advice can get someone injured quite badly.

mudpuppy

Posted : 1/8/2007 1:12:50 PM

"On of my biggest fears of all, is if I need to walk up to someone's house, who has a dog in the yard that can get to me. Unless I can see immediately that it is a very friendly, playful dog or not at all interested in me, I am very afraid to walk up to the door"

this is a completely reasonable fear. I personally would never walk into someone else's yard if there is a dog loose in the yard without the owner being present. Even if the dog looked friendly. I would recommend you not walk into my yard if the dogs are out. Call the owner on your cell instead and ask them to come out of the house before approaching.

as to dog attacks or meeting loose dogs-- don't run. Don't make eye contact. Don't approach the dog. Don't stick your hands out at the dog. Don't wave your hands around. Move slowly and speak in a soft, soothing voice with long drawn out words-- Hellooo dogggy. Don't try to make friends with the dog.

If you watch two dogs who want to pass each other without incident you'll see them do "look aways" where they turn their face away from each other to indicate they have no interest in each other, and then they pass shoulder facing shoulder.

jones

Posted : 1/8/2007 2:08:57 PM

I agree with most of the above advice about the correct way to approach a dog. I think it is smart for you to be wary about walking through a dog's yard that you do not know... personally I would never make someone walk past my dog to get into my house like that - at least without coming out myself and letting you know that he's friendly. It's only right to be a little cautious of dogs - they are "armed" and in the right (or wrong rather) circumstances almost any dog can bite.

I also agree that whatever the Dog Whisperer's merits may be... I wouldn't say correct readings of dog body language are his strong suit (and those who know me will know how diplomatic I'm trying to be[

]). Often the dog that he calls "calm submissive" looks very much like a "fearful" dog to me, and frightened dogs can be the most dangerous, and most likely to bite... if you were to attempt to pet a dog that looks like a calm submissive dog from the show, you could be in trouble.

houndlove

Posted : 1/8/2007 2:19:44 PM

We have little bookmarks printed at the shelter I volunteer with to give to kids that tell them what they should do if they encounter a strange and/or threatening dog.

Don't make eye contact
Be still as a tree
Stand "like a mummy" (arms crossed at your chest)
Be quiet as a mouse

Basically, don't run around screaming and flailing your arms around in a splendid simulation of a prey animal, nor try to stare down the dog and fight it off. Just do what little puppies do when a bigger dog threatens them: be quiet, try to look small and harmless, don't invite conflict.

When you encounter such a dog, this is not the moment to be the Brave Dog Whisperer and try to be assertive with it. Some dogs might take that as a challenge and take you up on that. If your goal is to not get bit, best to seem small and nonthreatening, not bossy and imposing. Don't challenge a strange dog unless you've got something to back your challenge up with. They've got inch-long canines, what do you have?