Dog Etiquette Advice:

[RustySlinky]

Dear online dog enthusiasts:

I don't know much about dogs.
If one walks up a sidewalk next to a fenced yard - and fenced-in dog charges-in for the encounter, only to unleash hell like true demon-spawn would:

What is considered to be proper operating procedure here?
Ignoring the dog? Eyeing the dog? Confronting the dog?
(Please assume that shooting the dog is not a workable option)

Should the above dog-behavior be construed as abnormal?
Or should one merely expect dogs to be dogs?

Would procedures change if dog was not fenced-in?
Or if it were the same dog day-after-day?

Why is it that a dog could give one passerby a hard time, yet ignore another?

Sincerely,
Doggedly Perplexed

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

Expect the dog to be a dog. You are on "his" territory and he will always try to defend it. :) It's his job... :yes:

[BlackThorn]

Dear online dog enthusiasts:

I don't know much about dogs.
If one walks up a sidewalk next to a fenced yard - and fenced-in dog charges-in for the encounter, only to unleash hell like true demon-spawn would:

What is considered to be proper operating procedure here?
Ignoring the dog? Eyeing the dog? Confronting the dog?
(Please assume that shooting the dog is not a workable option)

Ignoring is the best with a strange dog when possible. You want to give across the impression that you are not a threat to that dog's rightful territory, but at the same time showing that you aren't afraid or impressed with the display. Confrontation would be the worst, only to be used if the dog were to become an actual physical threat, in which case you would have to prove your the bigger predator -- still dangerous. This dog is saying, "Hey, this is my territory, these people are my "pack" (family), and you stay away!" as it has every right to. So, again, ignoring is best. Just move along at a brisk pace. Don't run and don't stay too long. Act as if he/she doesn't exist in your world. Giving him/her a reaction will only reinforce the behavior.

Should the above dog-behavior be construed as abnormal?
Or should one merely expect dogs to be dogs?

It's normal. Like many animals -- and some people -- dogs are territorial. They have their safe zones, and most don't like it when strangers encroach on their space. In fact, that's pretty healthy behavior from an animal perspective. It shows the dog has confidence and recognizes that space as his/hers. I worry more about the ones who don't do this.

Would procedures change if dog was not fenced-in?
Or if it were the same dog day-after-day?

Unless the dog is abnormally aggressive (ie. doing more than making a lot of noise and show, actually trying to attack), the procedures shouldn't have to change. As long as it's just the dog warning off intruders, walking past and ignoring day after day *should* acclimate the dog to the stranger's passing, but it would take time. I say should because some dogs just don't adjust due to their temperment. But many will come to learn that that particular stranger isn't a threat to make such a big deal about. They may still bark, but they won't go full out anymore.

Another thing that could help would be to meet the people who live their and allow them to introduce you to the dog, if they're agreeable to the idea. Then the dog would see that the people are okay with you, therefore you're okay. How long does that take? Depends on the individual dog. Some only need once or twice, others need repeated exposure.

Why is it that a dog could give one passerby a hard time, yet ignore another?

Sincerely,
Doggedly Perplexed

That all depends on the dog and the passerby. Some dogs don't like men, or children, or women, or men with beards . . . because they had a bad experience with them before. On the other hand, different people give off different impressions. Dogs react a lot to body language. A person may be coming off as too aggressive, or even too submissive. The dog picks up on this and behave accordingly, feeling threatened by the aggressive people and knowing he/she can get away with bullying the submissive ones. Then there are those people who have the right combination to draw neither reaction from the dog. It may sound weird, but they can have almost as complex of a psychology as humans have.

Hope this helps!

Yours,
Spent-Too-Much-Time-With-A-Canine-Behaviorist

[RustySlinky]

Alrighty then! thanks to the eloquent advice above, I now am convinced:

From today henceforth I declare the four frontyard dogs around my neighborhood-block (not including that monstrousity of a killer-bunny across the street) to be -

NON EXISTENT !!! :lol:

Yes-sir !!! :lol:

No contact necessary :lol:
No peeking, No talking
No Scooby-Snacks, no water cannons -
No "MY - SIDE" <---> "YOUR - SIDE" sidewalk-sessions . . .
No Guilt !!!

:banana::banana::banana:

I might be imagining things, but the biggest dogs here seem to be more laid-back about having city-pedestrians walking by, it's the smaller ones that seem to whip up a frenzy.

Ooh, here's what the worst of them looks like, except the one over here seems bigger and meaner, unlike the ones in the picture, it's not a happy-camper.
http://www.collarthatname.com/images/benpic.jpg

[Kurt_eh]

Two words:

POOPER SCOOPER

[Judith]

Two words:

POOPER SCOOPER


As a catapult?

[marandken]

Alrighty then! ....I might be imagining things, but the biggest dogs here seem to be more laid-back about having city-pedestrians walking by, it's the smaller ones that seem to whip up a frenzy...

You are not imagining things. Once, in a coversation with a female police officer, she told me that little yappy dogs make the best burgular deterrents/alarms. They make a LOT of noise and you just can't catch 'em cuz they can hide under all kinds of small furniture and stuff.

I am personally looking forward to the day when I will have a cute purse dog in my pack. :D

Bigger dogs (former "mommy" of them) usually have more confidence than to worry about passer-bys; unless they are not getting a lot of attention from the alphas (humans) in their "packs" or just generally not quite right with the world.

[BlackThorn]

Plus small dogs are just wired to be more high-strung. Faster heartrates, faster metabolisms, faster to freak out.