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Tip
48 - Scary dog situations
Sometimes
we encounter dogs that we don't know in friendly circumstances,
and sometimes dogs aren't so happy with our company. This can
happen
for example,
when we go to an acquaintance's house, stumble upon their dog
in a room or on a couch and their dog may growl at us. Or it
can happen outdoors where we come across a stray dog, or someone
else's
dog comes right up to us and gives us a good startle.
The
following tips apply when you encounter unfamiliar dogs without
their owners
right beside them. It especially applies to kids, toddlers and
babies
1- It's
best not to approach unfamiliar dogs. Admire their beauty from
a safe distance.
2 - Don't
let your kids (especially young kids) play with unfamiliar dogs
without your direct hands on supervision. Period. Kids are notorious
for coming right up to a dog, waving their arms above the dog
and
doing
a whole
host
of
threatening
behaviours. Dogs do bite when they feel threatened.
3
- When outdoors, never run away in fear from a dog you just 'bumped
into'. Dogs have
an innate predatory response, and will chase you if run away.
The
best
solution is to fold your arms, turn away from the dog and don't
make direct eye contact. The dog will probably move on shortly.
Yawning a few times, as well as deliberate blinking, may help
as it may be seen by the dog as a pacifying gesture.
4
- If a dog is tied it is still not safe to approach. In fact
it's
probably
even less safe since the dog has no escape route. A dog that
feels threatened or cornered can bite.
Most
accidents or dog bites are the result of misreading a dog's body
language. In general dogs won't bite unless threatened.
• Threatening
behaviour to a dog can include; Direct eye contact, touching
a dog over
its head, getting too close, approaching too quickly, approaching
in a jagged uncontrolled way, and standing over the dog. Taking something valuable
(to
the
dog)
that
the
dog thinks
belongs
to
him/her is a definite no no.
•Signs the dog is unhappy with your
presence may include; growling, hackles (hair on back) raised,
teeth visible, wrinkled nose, erect tail or a tail
that looks like it's vibrating slightly.
If
you see any of these signs just back away SLOWLY, cut off direct
eye contact
and the dog should simmer down.
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2006
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