Foxwold's Rules for Strange Dogs
In Loving Memory of Tomy. Tomy passed with honors into Dog-Heaven one summer. He is deeply missed by all who knew him.
Okay, so once in a while, we all have to encounter a dog we're unfamiliar with. In my line of work, it's almost a daily occurrence. So, here are my personal rules for dealing with unknown dogs. Avoiding confrontation, not getting bitten and not hurting the dog are always the goal.
WARNING: USE YOUR OWN BEST JUDGEMENT IN ANY DOG SITUATION. THESE ARE NOT SCIENTIFIC LAWS, BUT INSTEAD, A GENERAL LIST OF THINGS I'VE LEARNED THAT SEEM TO WORK FOR ME. DON'T BLAME ME IF CUJO CHEWS YOUR NECK OUT WHILE YOU'RE TRYING TO FOLLOW MY ADVICE.
1. Avoid eye contact with any dog you're not sure of, or any dog you know is aggressive. Eye contact is a threat to a threatened dog. Keep the dog in your peripheral vision. Tall, or oddly shaped hats (hard hats) can confuse dogs as to what they're seeing. Removing your hat can make all the difference to a dog.
2. Don't bend or stoop over any dog that you're greeting or attempting to become friendly with. Unless the dog is aged and weak, many dogs will jump up to get level with your face. From a distance, crouch and extend your hand palm up if you're going to try to get close with the dog.
3. If a dog jumps up in front of you, raise one knee into its body as you shout 'DOWN' or 'STAY DOWN'. Repeat as many times as the dog jumps. If the dog is charging toward you and jumps up, protect your face and neck with your arms and thrust your knee into the dog.
4. Never approach an unknown dog that is tethered or leashed. If the owner is present, ask if it's okay to approach the dog or if they have any particular way they want their dog to meet people. While growing up, I had a dog that would only be calm meeting people if he first met them while they were sitting at our kitchen table. Strange but true.
5. If your child is familiar with a dog which you are not, (boarding school, friends' houses) do not be surprised if, when you first arrive, the dog moves between you and your child or appears to be physically herding your child away from you. The dog is protecting your child. Do not approach your child. Call/Tell your child to come to you or ask the dog's owner how to deal with the dog.
6. Children should be kept away from most small (unfamiliar) dogs. Many small dogs are threatened by children and even adults of small stature. If a child tries to make friends with any dog and the dog growls, keep the child away from the dog until another meeting when the child is more grown. Do not allow the child (or yourself) to push the issue of making friends. The dog has made his point. Only the dog will decide if and when to eventually accept a person.
7. You can try disarming a barking or aggressive dog by cheerfully asking "Where's your ball?" or "Get your dish" or even "Cookie" This is by no means a failsafe. I actually knew of a dog that had been taught to bark loudly and endlessly if you put your index finger to your lips in a 'hush, be quiet' gesture. Most dogs are taught to associate 'ball' with play time, but in reality, a dog can be taught to become loud or aggressive with any cue.
8. Never strike a dog if it's not yet harming you. Many-a-friendly dog has been ruined for future strangers because the dog simply ran out to the street, barking his foolish head off, tail-wagging to greet a walker or jogger, only to be struck in the head with a stick. After that, a dog can become permanently and truly aggressive.
9. Never approach, or allow children to approach an unfamiliar dog that is eating. The dog can easily be threatened into thinking his food is at risk. While I was growing up, we occasionally, randomly interrupted his eating by taking his dish away, and then put it back for him shortly thereafter to help prevent him from becoming protective of his dish.
10. Female dogs which have a litter of pups can be very unpredictable with strangers, common family members and other household pets. A mother dog may, quite suddenly and violently attack
formerly accepted, fellow pets and possibly even humans. Mother dogs should be kept away from all other pets until her pups are fully weaned. Be very aware of mother dog's physical cues when any people are around her, especially children.11. You should never get between two dogs fighting, never mind someone else's but even your own. It can be hard to let two dogs go at it, but you could end up getting hurt far worse than either dog and your ability to keep reporting to your job will come in handy while covering the vet bills. Remember: if everything works out the way you want, you should always out-live your pets. Don't lose focus of that while your dog is in a dogfight.
12. Certainly, if a dog begins to bite you, it will also tug. I've never been seriously attacked by a dog, so I have to assume you probably can't plan very much ahead for a real dog attack, but you have to fight back with the will to win. Be careful not to lose your balance. Tackle the dog, get on top and bite him hard, protect your face if you can. If your hand is being bitten, force your hand further down the dogs' throat... as far as it will go until the dog loses consciousness. If a dog has clamped onto you and won't let go, bite back. And hard. Dogs best understand being bitten in the throat or belly. Good luck.
If you have any suggestions for this page, please email me at doggoneit @ foxwold.com