Dogs

[kat]

Last night I decided to go down toward the water treatment plant. Lots of wildlife (birds) and plants.

On the way home, I had a dog come at me from in front and one surround me from the back. Needless to say, I wasn't to happy. They were both growling and barking. I am scared of dogs when they do that..I know..don't show fear. So I said out loud, "It's okay!" "Come here!". Nothing but louder growling. I'm really getting worried now. Firm grip on tripod I'm yelling, "Can you please call you dog back, someone call these dogs off." (for 2 mins) Nothing even though there is only 4 houses in this area and all in view of me 40 feet away.

Slowly, I start moving on. I'm crying by this time. Took me 20 mins to get 50feet and up over a hill to home. All I could think is, thank the lord my kids weren't with me.

Told my husband when I got home, he went down the same path and sure enough. One of the dogs was there to greet him the same way.

What can I do for this? What do you suggest?

Oh..and bi'law offficer was called this morning. I do love dogs but not when they aren't tied up or with their owner.

[Marko]

here's some tips:

Never challenge an aggressive dog but don't run away either. DO NOT stare the dog in the eyes. Look in another direction, fold your arms and see if that calms the dog even a little bit. If it does walk away slowly without looking at the dog.

Depending on how upset the dog is, both yawning and blinking are pacifying gestures to many dogs. Being off to the side of the dog is also less threatening than standing directly in front of it and especially above it.

Absolutely call the police for this. Free roaming aggressive dogs are surely against city bylaws and likely provincial/state bylaws as well.
Hope that helps. Marko

[kat]

Thank you marko! Things in there I didn't know!

Called bi-law this morning. They are going to go check. I was told if I could take photos of any dogs running around like that do so and email them over. Hmm..wonder if I can get paid for doing their work ;) Joke joke.

Thanks again. I really didn't know what to do.

[Marko]

No Prob at all - some some of the things I learned from my other job ;)
For even more advice and great support, feel free to check out the pro spay/neuter forum on Pets.ca (http://www.pets.ca/forum/index.php)

Best! - Marko

[Michaelaw]

I had this exact thing happen to me years ago while walking through a park at night going home. A giant Poodle and another big dog the breed I don't recall. I was pinned for a minute or more and quite scared. The owner came by the scene, laughed and called them off. I called him every name in the book to which he just laughed and said "Whatever dude" I didn't enjoy the experience one little bit. These buggers had me surrounded one in the front and one behind. The dog in the rear was trying hard to bite my ankles and when I turned to face it, the dog in the front was now the dog in the rear trying to bite me. IMHO dogs like this should be leashed at all times.

[kat]

I'm with you Michaelaw. I can never understand that and when dog owners don't understand it makes it even worse!

Thanks marko for those tips again!

[Mad Aussie]

I used to have a big dog that chased my brother and I when we were training on our bikes. We had loads of dogs chase but most were just in it for the chase only ... you didn't mind them, they were just having fun. But this big ass dog was in it for flesh ... and he was fast ... and it was on a hill. I loaded up a spare waterbottle with turps one day and let him get right in close and hammered the ******* with a good shot of turps in the face. Burns the skin nicely for awhile. He yelped and did all sorts of antics and we were gone. After that he'd bark and head out down the driveway at us ... see us and just stop in his tracks. Other cyclists still got chased and bitten.

I've used citronella as well when I didn't want to hurt the dog. I am actually a dog lover although you wouldn't know it by that story above. We had 3 dogs close to us in serious trouble or dying lately. Our own dog Sooty (Border Collie) died after 17 yrs (very nearly 18 yrs) ... I still get a bit weepy if I think about too long. Bear, my sisters Labrador cross Border Collie died last week after a long battle with cancer. Again ... more watery eyes and sadness. Bear was a great, placid dog. And also last week Buddy, my brothers dog (Australian Kelpie) almost died when a cattle tick got him. He spent days in the vets touch and go. He's old also so his time is coming.

Good dogs are great ... bad dogs need re-training or their owners need a bullet. There's not many bad dogs ... just lots of bad owners.

[Marko]

There's not many bad dogs ... just lots of bad owners.

You've ABSOLUTELY hit the nail on the head with that statement.:highfive:

All dogs want to do is please humans. They are one of the most special creatures on the planet in that way.