Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers.

• 08-22-2007 3:05 PM

  IrishSetterGrl Joined on 05-19-2007 Posts 715 Points 110

  Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact Ok...I'm a little creeped out right now, just a little...   I was walking with Cadie only, and had about 10 minutes to go left on our walk. I had her on my right side heeling, and we were passing a house on the left with two parked cars in the driveway when a man walked out between the two cars. It startled me, but then I noticed he was looking straight at me and he came over and said, "Hi M'am, can I bother you for a second?" He was about 2 feet from me and slowly coming closer. I just said, "Actually, I'm on my way somewhere". He looked at Cadie (who was focusing on him as well) and then looked confused, like, "she has a dog?" (He was standing between the 2 big cars before he talked to me, so he probably only saw me coming). "Ok....that's alright." he said, and I quickly kept walking, and he crossed the street and went into someone's backyard.   I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but what adult man asks a 17 yr/o girl for help? And I just got this super creepy vibe from him. I always go with my intuition.   Let's just say I was glad to have Cadie with me during the rest of our walk. I feel 1000x safer with her with me, and she has proven before that she will protect me if need be. I asked my mom once if Cadie would protect me, and she said yes. Then my mom I agreed to test her - silly as it sounds, my mom pretended to push me down, and I (pretend-) screamed, and Cadie jumped on my mom's back as hard as she could and held onto her arm. Not playing, not trying to seriously damage, just trying to get her away from me. I LOVE MY DOG! Lol   So, this could have been nothing, but who knows? Always better safe than sorry. Everyone, don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers or at all for that matter, and don't go walking or running without yours.   Anything creepy or strange happen to you guys while you were walking the dogs? ~ISGrl Cadie - 8.5 yr/o Irish Setter Riley - 1.5 yr/o Irish Setter I love my shelter dog. Adoption IS the BEST option! =)

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• 08-22-2007 3:20 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  forpaws Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 1,764 Points 65

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact ISGrl, you should call the local law enforcement and have someone come to do your complaint. A male asking a teen for help then going across the street into a back yard, is supicious activity to me. He is obviously up to no good. And a small word of caution, never invoke your dog to do something like that even in play acting because if the real thing happens out on the street your dog may be confused and think this is how his/her master plays.. Get my drift? []   SO glad you are OK and unharmed. Good thinking on your part. Give your girl and extra treat from me...[] Taking care of a pet is a LIFE time Commitment, are YOU committed for that responsiblity? Owning a pet is like having a toddler for the rest of their lives..

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• 08-22-2007 3:23 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  Cita Joined on 12-13-2006 CT Posts 4,471 Points 735

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact Your "gut" intuition is usually right with stuff like that. If you were getting a "creepy vibe," I'm sure there was a reason for it! Good for you for keeping your wits about you. Sadly, I don't think my 7-pound fluffball would visually deter likely predators, but he can be very protective of me, particularly if I'm sleeping. I have no doubt that if I were asleep or knocked out and someone tried to harm or harrass me that Rascal would be on them in a hearbeat, biting as hard as he could. And while he may be small, he does pack quite a bite! Rascal gets nervous even if I'm asleep and someone comes to wake me up. If they push me a little bit to try and jog me awake he can get very upset, growling and posturing, and that's with people he knows and likes!

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• 08-22-2007 3:30 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  chelsea_b Joined on 09-10-2007 Costa Mesa, CA Posts 2,731 Points 280

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact Cherokee would EAT someone if they came up to me like that, lol. On our walks, even late at night, my worst fear is a neighbor TALKING to me because I know it's going to make Cherokee go wild. We go for walks at 9 or 10 pm often, and we're always both jumpy. She's scared that someone or something will get us, and I'm just worried that someone's going to say "hi". [8D] Chelsea &

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• 08-22-2007 3:31 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,727 Points 330

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact IrishSetterGrl: Then my mom I agreed to test her - silly as it sounds, my mom pretended to push me down, and I (pretend-) screamed  The husband of a forum member decided to see what would happen if he scared his dog at night.  The dog was on the bed with the wife.  The guy succeeded in scaring the dog and the dog expressed his anal glands in the wife's face.  [:-]   She was not happy!!   [sm=rofl.gif]   Hubbie did find out that the dog would protect his wife, but I think he would have preferred not to have had to clean up the smelly mess.

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• 08-22-2007 3:51 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,727 Points 330

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact IrishSetterGrl: He was about 2 feet from me and slowly coming closer. I am glad that you go with your intuition.  You should feel very creeped out right now.    Two feet is within arm's reach and way to close for a stranger.  The guy would have gotten a very nasty "That is close enough!" from me before he ever got close enough to grab me.  If he kept coming after that, I would have screamed bloody murder.   Some people are afraid of overreacting and being embarrassed.  Dump that idea right now!!  A strange man with good intentions will speak to you from a distance first and will permit you to approach him - not the other way around.

  Filed under: intuition Post Points: 0

• 08-22-2007 3:55 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 7,069 Points 850

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact The husband of a forum member decided to see what would happen if he scared his dog at night. The dog was on the bed with the wife. The guy succeeded in scaring the dog and the dog expressed his anal glands in the wife's face. She was not happy!! Hubbie did find out that the dog would protect his wife, but I think he would have preferred not to have had to clean up the smelly mess. OMG, that is foul!!  I have a cat that does this if you're trying to grab her and get her hind legs.  It's a split second reaction and I think that even she doesn't like it.  I can't imagine and animal doing it on my face!!! When I first started going out w/ DH I was at his parents and I tickled him (can't remember why, I think his mom asked if he was still ticklish).  He started screaming and their cocker got all up in my face! Anyway, I agree, go with your gut!! This isn't exactly the same, but recently I was walking Kenya and some kids ran over and asked if they could pet her.  They said they were scared but wanted to pet her.  I didn't really want to let them, but I figured I'd give it a try so I could prove there's nothing to be scared of.  Well, as the little girl reached down to pet her, some other kid PUSHED her from behind onto my dog and of course Kenya jumped in the air.  The little girl screamed and ran off hitting her friend so we just left, but Kenya was really jumpy for a while after that.  Should've gone with my gut... vankelderdogs.dutchbingo.net U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop RA CL1-F CL1-R TT HIC TDI CGC (GSD) VPC's Coca-Cola CGC (All American) Alta-Tollhaus' Bono (GSD)

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• 08-22-2007 6:19 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 North Florida Posts 4,481 Points 205

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact sounds odd but my own dog is sometimes a better judge of character than i am. she reads body language like a pro. and while i might actually be curious about what this guy wants, Kaydee is the one i listen to - not that i dont check my gut instinct, it hasnt lied to me yet, but neither has she - BUT i wouldnt be so curious of the guy needing help if i didnt have my dog. nope if i am travelling alone, no dog or human companion i'm as shifty and squirrelly as a coyote out in the open... Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves.

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• 08-22-2007 6:32 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  nocturnal76 Joined on 08-07-2006 New England Posts 305 Points 0	RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact Sure he wasn't a salesman?
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• 08-22-2007 7:00 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  fuzzy_dogs_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Davis, CA Posts 6,737 Points 200	RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact Glad that Cadie was able to protect you.  In the same situation, Max unfortunately would have walked right over to him and put his head against his leg in hopes of getting his ears scratched.   Joyce
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• 08-22-2007 8:33 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 5,712 Points 4,170	RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact Good for your dog being with you!   I feel totally safe when I'm out with my dogs. Even walking in the woods alone. The two of them make an intimidating pair - even if they wouldn't hurt a fly.
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• 08-22-2007 8:45 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  Cassiewith2dogs Joined on 11-15-2006 Posts 317 Points 0

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact I had almost the same thing happen to me last week while walking Sophie.We walk through a private street and this creepy man kept coming back in forth in his car. The first few times I didn't think anything of it but then I realized everytime he came back down the street he was just staring at me. I became very nervous,because I don't think Sophie would  have protected me.I do think Sophie detered him though because he would look at me then look at Sophie,he must have came down that street at least 7-10 times. finally he gave up,but now I'm completely scared to walk down that street again!!!I'm thankful Sophie was with me because I definitely think she stopped a potential abduction.

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• 08-22-2007 8:50 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  Shiva Joined on 10-27-2006 Posts 347 Points 0

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact Good to know your dog will protect you if needed.   I just found out myself my huge baby of a dog Rio(105 pound Shepherd mix) who's scared of the fly swatter has some protection instinct. We went for a walk last night because it was actually nice and on the way we walked past 2 men, they weren't walking together, but the first guy for sure creeped me out. He looked kinda like he could be on something. Well, Rio's hackels rose and he's never done that with a person, only other dogs. Dizzy would never do that, she's scared of strangers. So I'm very glad I have that big baby now. And a big dog is also a nice deterent, especially one that looks like a huge purebred German Shepherd.   Shiva

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• 08-22-2007 9:57 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  Xerxes Joined on 05-08-2006 Posts 5,622 Points 520

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact Just to let you know what you CAN do that would be proactive:  Call the police non-emergency number and report a "suspicious person."  Make sure you take note of his description and where he is, where he's headed....The cops generally don't mind these phone calls-in fact it probably gives them something to do on a boring evening-if it's a boring evening. I've done this several times and I'm a guy.  They usually respond very quickly.

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• 08-22-2007 10:37 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  huskymom Joined on 09-10-2007 Thunder Bay ON Posts 5,537 Points 465

  RE: Don't doubt the power of a dog with strangers. Reply Contact I go out with my dogs late at night, but I never count on them protecting me.  They are not trained in protection and while Crusher might look like a force, he's really not.  As far as I'm concerned, I am out there to protect them.  It doesn't matter if its night or day.  That said, Crusher may discourage people from trying something.  He is a 90 pound dog who unfortuneatley looks like the media portrayed 'wolf'.  He'd lick ya before he bit ya.  But people don't know that.  My advice, don't walk into places where you have any suspicion that your dog may need to protect you.  Your dog might, but they should never be put into that situation, unless trained for it.  Someone attacking you, could very well hurt or kill your dog.  Don't take that chance.  Do what you can to protect yourself and your dog.  Only after that, rely on your dog. Candace

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