"Does Your Dog Bite?"

[DMikeM]

If you are tense or nervous while a stranger approaches your dog will know it and be more reactive. I know this for a fact. I was talking with an arrogant jackass one day while walking my dogs and he started up with the "My pitts are so game they would tear right into your dogs so fast you wouldn't see it happen" Well of course I got pissed to complete red zone and when I told the guy to "Go F*** yourself" it took all my strength and weight to hold Odi and Jade back from attacking this guy. Everyone around us actually cornered the guy and several people were really laying into him for his dog fighter attitude. Other people were still close to me and my dogs and one girl was literally calming and soothing my dogs petting and talking to them. Before that guy had even said a word my dogs knew he was an ass and they let me know. It was just posture and them not allowing him to pet them. Which is when he started with his BS.

I have been a victim of violence and I know what it is like to be scared and I am very alert to my surroundings at all times. I will not be a victim ever again. When I walk the dogs at night I carry a high power flashlight with built in stun gun. But it is more for against wildlife rather than humans. Stray dogs, coyotes and bears are often seen walking my street.

If Hamlet was reacting off of your anxiety then that is understandable. But a dog that reacts for no reason needs some confidence work. Some dogs like Filas are bred to distrust anyone that is not family and will not let any stranger approach without the handler letting the dog know it is okay. Even then the dog will stay alert to any perceived threats. Some dogs will not allow certain people or types of people near it's home or humans, it is then up to you to decide if you want that individual around. I tend to listen to what my dogs tell me, they are smarter about such things and are usually right.

Mike, Hamlet is completely non-reactive during the day and well socialized. He hasn't reacted with anything but an intent gaze and an alert stance at night until this man.

I think I stated this before. I am suspicious of any unfamiliar person walking around at night in my highly residential neighborhood. There are a lot of serious drug problems around my area as well as a lot of theft. I was already rattled by the man coming past my house in such a lurking manner, and we were both startled by this guy (my neighborhood streets are almost always dead after 9PM except for some people who walk their dogs). If I had to profile this guy from dress and how he was walking, yeah, I was absolutely suspicious. I really don't think there is a problem with Hamlet barking or growling in this situation.

Dog or no dog, I would not have gotten within 7 ft of this man at that hour with all the neighbors asleep. I usually walk with a knife open at my side. That's how I am.

I have to say here, there may be a gap in worldview as well. I don't know you, so maybe I'm wrong, but maybe you've never been a victim of a violent crime? It changes your perception of supposedly benign situations. There was a time I couldn't take my trash out after 9pm due to anxiety. I could have told him to be quiet if I felt unthreatened at that moment, and I chose to let him bark.


"Nothing is neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so."
Hamlet Prince of Denmark