Approaching strange dogs

Yeah I learned after several years on a recycling route in a big city that eye contact is a no no.

...... and that goes for the residents too!

Offer FOOD to any strange dog. That'll make you an instant friend.

It's when you enter into their territory that it becomes an issue and ignoring them isn't going to work. I was always pretty good with dogs, always kept some treats in the truck for those that were semi aggressive. That would usually pacify them enough so they wouldn't be growling. Some were complete loss though and no way you're getting out of the truck until the dog was gone.

I think the old wives tale about them be able to sense fear is true and that's big factor.

I've told this before but I'll tell it for those that new. This one house had a Great Dane, friendly dog. They didn't get coal for 2 years and called up for delivery, they weren't going to be there so they left the cellar door open. I forgot about the dog.... So I go into cellar and can't find the light, no problem as I had been in this cellar many times and knew where to go. So I get set up and start letting the coal in and I'm down stairs watching it come in. Now I've been in and out twice now and the dog never made his presence known. Truck ran out and I turn around to go back outside and that damn dog is standing there almost staring me in the face... I mean he was right behind me and since there is no lights and the dog is black all I really see is the silhouette of this big giant head almost shoulder high. Once I was able to remove my heart from my throat I gave him nice pat on the head and went about my business.

Edit: just to add I'm not so sure I agree so much with the no eye contact thing. Might be best for a really agressive dog but might not be the best idea for semi aggressive one.

I had one of those Great Danes come up behind me while I was sitting in the street, changing a wheel bearing on my junker years ago. I'm all concentration - totally unaware of my surroundings, & all of a sudden I hear & feel long, deep breaths on the back of my neck! Sounded like a horse was behind me! Nothing like turning around while sitting down, at a complete disadvantage, & looking UP at this gigantic mass of a dog! I about *censored*!

But I just pet him on the head .... was like a giant teddy bear. Didn't expect that.

All I know about strange dogs: 1: When approaching a dog to say "hi", do so with knuckles toward the dog. In dog sign language, palm out is aggressive, knuckles out, fingers hanging down is submissive. Dogs want you to be submissive. 2: Never put your face in a dogs face. People tend to "want to kiss" little dogs. In dog language that is very aggressive and even with a friendly dog you'll likely get your nose bitten. 3: Common courtesy says to ask the owner before saying hi to their dog.

Richard S. wrote:Edit: just to add I'm not so sure I agree so much with the no eye contact thing. Might be best for a really agressive dog but might not be the best idea for semi aggressive one.

I went to tow a car one time and the owner was in the back yard talking to his neighbor over the fence. I think there was a mower or some other background noise and they didn't notice me but his very big mean dog did and started to come after me, I turned and headed back to the wrecker . The dog covered half the distance between me and him in a few seconds so I knew I would not make it back to the truck in time before bowser had his teeth in me so I spun back around and looked him right in the eyes. He stopped dead in his tracks and started to reevaluate his options. He had none as he knew I was ready for him, he could see it in my eyes.

Ohhh, I just remembered one other thing I know about dogs....or wolf or coyote for that matter. If you get attacked...and this only works with one animal, and only used in true self defense. If there's more than one animal, you're SOL..... As they attack they instinctively bite the easiest target. If you're right handed, hold right arm to your side, hold left arm palm out and off to your side. As it comes in you "feed" your arm to the animal. They will bite and start to thrash your left arm. You fold your arm in toward you and as doing so use your right arm to go around it's neck. Use all your strength, it's you or it and this is a fight for your life. You will go to the ground and possibly wrap your legs around it, possibly get your body on his. None the less, your right arm with the right force, will strangle and kill the animal. After the animal goes limp, keep that hold for 4 min to make sure it's not just unconscious. *phew* You just saved your life.

coaledsweat wrote:so I spun back around and looked him right in the eyes. He stopped dead in his tracks and started to reevaluate his options. He had none as he knew I was ready for him, he could see it in my eyes.

Eye contact with a dog is one way of asserting dominance. If you have your own dog try it.... they will become fidgety, uncomfortable and turn away. If they don't you have a problem because the dog thinks it's the boss. We used to have two dogs, a dalmatian and a smaller mutt. The smaller mutt was a little older and the boss, this provided for a lot of humorous observations. I can remember the one time the little one had a bone near it that the bigger one wanted. He would glance over at the bone but as soon as the little one turned his way he'd quickly look the other direction. It was funny as hell because this went on for a while where he was trying to sneak a peak at the bone.

I've been taught not to smile at them because your showing your teeth and that's a threat. Also use a higher pitch voice which is less threatening to them.

mr1precision wrote:use a higher pitch voice

Maybe that's why we girlie men get along so well with dogs.

Dog training and dog behavior is something I have enjoyed for a long time. At work we use our K9's all the time. Just like a boxer, our k9's never lose in training. The think the are the toughest bastard out there. But yes, we all know a dog can be defeated. The jaw strength of our working dogs is higher than an average dog but only because of the workout there get all the time. In training we take a "proper placed bite" (just below elbow in an undercover sleeve) and can turn in a circle, k9 is 3' to 4' off the ground but will not let go. It's awesome to watch. We have a demo this Friday night. Ill see if I can get video of someone catching my dog and turning. It sounds twisted and crazy I know but I love watching my K9 grab people. I give warnings, I give every opportunity I can, But many times peo think then can get away, and they try. Then they just make one prior stop before seeing the judge..... the hospital.

Our dogs are given the "test of courage". They have a decoy do a simple run away and the dog is released. As the dog is closing at a rapid rate on the decoy, the decoy turns and charges the dog yelling and some times showing an object in a hand. That is a blast cause the dogs just pound them. The more fight the get the more the put out. Ill try to get some pictures but I have some funny ones of our training group.
I could talk about dogs all the time...

Freddy wrote:

mr1precision wrote:use a higher pitch voice

That is exactly right. Dogs are masters at body language and tones of voice. In many situations, a dog can pick out the aggressor before the fight is on.

franco b wrote:... the advice he gave me is to pretty much ignore them ... Just go about your business...

We have two timid dogs, and a frightened dog can be dangerous. That's what we always tell guests who haven't yet become acquainted with the dogs -- just ignore them. Eventually they will come to you.