You know exactly how a dog is going to react in different situations?
So dogs are predictable?
Not just that, when two dogs are fighting or one attacking another, to inflict pain on one in an effort to separate can intensify the attack as the dog can think it is the other dog who is causing the pain and thus increases it's grip and rage.
As you say, separation and distraction is best, but it's not always the easiest in the moment. I didn't follow my own advice once before in the moment. Grabbing the back legs of the aggressor, pulling backwards in a circular motion to prevent the dog turning to get you (ideally two people are present), whilst the other person removes the other dog is a recommended technique.
Yep of course. This is why dogs are used to help people who can not see and hear. If they were unpredictable, no questions asked, they would not possibly be able to help some humans function in society.
Can I just point out that in some communes, dogs must be kept on a lead in public places unless otherwise stated.
Not all dogs are predictable which means that not all dogs are suitable as 'aids' for handicapped people ( be that deaf, blind or physically disabled).
The dog in the OP was clearly not predictable which is why that particular dog should have been kept on a lead at all times.
Fair enough. But you're average Joe Bloggs hiking, biking or horseriding has absolutely no idea how a strange dog is going to react in any given situation. Even a perfectly well-behaved, non-aggressive dog can suddenly switch direction or move from a stationary position on a footpath.
It's impossible to predict the actions of an individual, but the actions of a population are always predicable.
This is a basic principle of Biology and Economics as well.
Interpreting signals from a dogs body language such as the direction of the ears, and posion of the tail also indicate what the dogs intentions are.
specific to aggression
Versus a Dominant warning
The key here is the ears and the tail.
Ears back and tail low = Run for your life, defend yourself.... shoot (as others have mentioned)
Ears and tail up = Most likely you'll be OK, so try to diffuse the situation.
I spent 9 years on farms with dogs and have always been facinated by their behaviour.
..... I've been biten a few times as well, but hey, you have to learn.
I can clearly understand people's fear, but as I've said on the forum before:
"You are only ever afraid of what you don't understand" and this applies to much more than just dogs.
Ignorance will not fix the situation, and neither will any 'blanket' style solution to a problem.
In fact, I also advocate that dogs should be on a leash. If only for the comfort of those around who are uncomfortable around dogs.
.... but there are exceptions to the rule.
You need to really be in full control of your dog. Recall especially, and be able to read the situation when other people or dogs are involved.
Common sense should always apply, but that seems to be a very rare commodity in this day and age.
You have two diagrams for an aggressive dog.
The first shows the tail up (yellow/black diagram)
The second shows the tail tucked between the legs.
They contradict each other.
Not everyone understands the signals of a dog but I am happy to see that you do agree with dogs being on a leash for the sake of the general public.
When I say unpredictable, I am generally talking about unpredictable to the general public and not the dogs owner.
If I am walking down the street and I see a dog I have no idea how this dog is going to react, if a kid put its hand out to pat a dog the kids parent has no idea how the dog is going to react.
If all dogs were on a leash then the owner is in full control and can take away that 'unpredictability' and make the general public feel more comfortable.
Is this still on the ming-mong ping-pong track?
In simple terms, the DOG'S OWNER should have an understanding of how their dog will behave in all situations and if they think their dog may be unpredictable, they should have it on the leash. Recall is simplified if your dog is next to you on the leash
As a dog owner, you should not subject other people to being inconvenienced by your animal....
BUT
If you come across me and my dog and you start raising your hands in the air in case the dog bites them, prepare to be laughed at by me. Please also realise that my dog, if she was going to bite you, could also rip a good chunk out of your leg so raising your hands above your head is pointless
Given that she passed the "dangerous dog" exam (even though she licked the examiner's hand), I feel that she is extremely unlikely to consume humans rather than kibble.
You know that but the person walking down the path does not know that.
From what I recall Zeus and Appollo had no problem.
Good point.... the black and yellow diagram both have the tail sort of 'up' but I assume that the curl in the dominance suggests that the tail is moving, whereas the straight tail in the aggression suggests that the tail.... actually I don't know, it's not my diagram, I posted that one for the other body language symbols.
the important part is still the direction of the ears..... and to be honest, in that situation you will be mostly focused on the 'pointy' part of the dog at the time (the head).
From my experience, the tail and the ears are both noticable when the dog is just asserting dominance.
The tail doesn't ever really 'tuck in' under the dog like the diagram suggests, but is just usually lower than the back and doesn't move.
When the ears go back, it's business time.
If I thought for just one nanosecond that my dog would launch an unprovoked attack on a passer-by, she's not be out in public. She more likely would be at a course or, worst case, at the vet moving into the next life.
Would you be scared if, instead of bumping into me walking my Rottie, you actually bumped into this lady in the street?
Of course, I never said they were, just making the point can't apply unpredictability to all.
I disagree, the dog in the OP was very predictable, the prior encounters suggested it was aggressive and would attack other dogs if off leash and that's what it did.
That can be applied to anything be it people, children etc. One must be aware of potential hazards.
Ears are not back in the second diagram.
I have a friend whose Pekingnese was killed right before her eyes by an unleashed German Shepherd while out for a walk here in Switzerland. She stood by totally helpless as the larger dog chewed her dog to bits. I would recommend carrying a water gun with a mixture of ammonia&water. Shoot directly into the eyes of the aggressive dog before it ever gets near your dog. He will suffer pain but there will be no permanent damage. You have every right to protect yourself and your dog.
Thanks,
I also take into consideration that most people just don't understand, and nor should I expect them to.... and a dog definitely has no idea what the hell is going on. It is ultimately the owners responsibility to guide the dog in public, but helping to educate others also helps.
You mentioned how a kid should approach a dog. PARAMOUNT importance in my opinion. The lead won't actually protect your child if the owner doesn't know what to do either.
Best thing is to hold the back of your hand out and allow the dog to sniff.
If the dog is interested, SCRATCH UNDER THE CHIN first, before moving to the head.
Approaching a dog with an open hand can be mistaken for a "Grabbing" motion, of if a dog has been beaten around the head because of poor discipline, then it's equally as defensive.
OK so this diagram says to pat the side of the dog..... but the important aspects are the same for the "Don'ts".
You should always teach kids these things. Dogs are not a toy.
What happens if your dog is walking past me and I accidentally stand on its paw, how is it going to react?
If a kid shouts aggressively at your dog would that be considered provoking?
Yes they are.
The black and yellow diagram has both a dominant and aggressive diagram.
ears are up and down in respective diagrams.
The two diagrams below also are about aggression versus domination, and the ear positions correspond to the black and yellow diagram.... it was the tail position that was different....
As I said, I posted the black and yellow for all the other body language symbols, I didn't pay attantion to that many details.
after all, this is a discussion on the internet, we're not writing a thesis here.
I misunderstood the diagrams.