Billy definitely has his dislikes, not unlike the dog above.
He doesn't care for cyclists, and he dislikes joggers. But most of all he doesn't like people who suddenly appear from behind him.
He's much better now with the cyclists and joggers, and he simply gives them a withering look, but if someone suddenly comes running-up from behind us, he'll probably try to snap at his or her heels. I keep him on a very short lead in such situations to avoid being sued.
All this only happens when he's on his lead. When running free he is much more tolerant. There is something about a lead that spells 'territory'. When he meets other dogs in the park they play together, no questions asked. But if he meets one on a lead, and he's on his lead too, then they always growl at each other. Again I imagine it's territorial, or maybe he's simply defending his owner.
Generally he's very well behaved, but there are certain behaviours that seem to be built-in to the canine mind, and there's little point trying to remove them. One simply needs to be aware.
As far as I know it's a primal instinct, particularly for carnivores, to chase anything that moves. It's why when a bear and/or a Siberian tiger try to catch up with me I stand still and let them overtake me.
ReplyDeleteU
I think I might too.
DeleteBeing hard of hearing I find it very alarming when someone suddenly appears close to me from behind, either cycling, running or walking, as I don't hear them coming.
ReplyDeleteP frequently comes across dogs off the lead when he is out running . If he stops and stands still they are less aggressive.
Generally people will only let a dog off its lead if it is well behaved. When I take Billy for his walks he often returns home off his lead, and people stop to stroke him etc. He's always very friendly when off his lead.
DeleteHe really is probably trying to protect you when he's on a lead. It's instinct.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sure you're right.
DeleteWas this blogpost extracted from the bestseller - "Dogging - An Owner's Manual" by Sir Crozier Magnon?
ReplyDeleteNo, it comes from 'Dogging for Boys' by my late uncle The Rev Horatio Magnon.
DeletePudding you are awful.
DeleteHow anyone thought it a good idea to let you work with children is well beyond me.
Just a joke doesn't wash as an excuse unless with humour like that you are twelve years old. Even at that age I hope someone would castigate you.
You have to make everything sexual. Are you a closet Queer?
YP, I do agree with Adrian (and hope Cro will let my comment stand). As interesting and informative as most your actual posts are, your comments are often borderline. Distasteful. And I am afraid I am not the only one in this community who thinks so. Except, naturally, unlike Adrian and I, few will raise their head above the parapet and say so to your face. Dare I mention Rachel? She and I are banned from your blog's comment box. Not that I wonder why. A grown man can only take so much.
DeleteU
He will.
DeleteYP is a dirty minded chap..Hopefully incapable of action.
DeleteWhen I was a teenager out walking my dog, the Baptist minister jogged past us. My dog leapt, snapped, and left a small tear on the butt of his jogging pants. I was mortified! The Baptist minister just kept jogging down the street like nothing happened. Years later, he officiated my best friend's wedding. After a glass of wine to bolster me up, I finally made my apology.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful story. Did he accept your apology?
DeleteLove the cartoon!! There are two dogs up here which run free and bark when I walk past but I know them by name and try to be friendly. Fortunately they're a lot of bark but no bite.
ReplyDeleteThe ones behind high fences that bark fiercely are the ones I keep clear of. I dont trust high fences.
I often go and talk to such dogs and attempt to make friends. Usually they're dogs who just want a bit of friendliness.
DeleteKnowing the likes and dislikes of our dogs is important. Safety for all is the priority. The risk of being sued is real.
ReplyDeleteWe know all the signs now. I can tell at once if he's going to bark at someone, or another dog.
DeleteI trust my dog, it is other's dogs I distrust. Some owners just have no clue about their own dogs.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same. Everyone loves Billy.
DeleteI think you can glean an awful lot of information about a dog by observing the owner and how he interacts with the animal.
ReplyDeleteYes. Especially back in France!
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