Fear of dogs

The issue that has arisen here on this thread and which both of you have got passion about, is how much do you love and understand animals?

Human relationships with animals I have found are often rather simplistic, the "Furry Robot" mentality I call it, which can be found even in cat's protection type organisations.

To be fair human beings are remarkably able to dehumanise each other to the extent of dropping bombs on each others houses in extreme cases, (or seeing each other as thin characatures on this forum!) so expecting them to understand that animals can communicate and understand concepts like guilt, and experience love and loyalty, and be really saddened by casual emotional neglact is a bit of a reach. 

Equally "once bitten twice shy" is basic survival 101, (and the root of many "predjudices") so victims of dog bites are always going to see dogs as a hazard. Unless you develop some animal whispering skills, and take an interest then dogs become a more manageable hazard and in some cases, interesting.

Fear of dogs is very real, fear of alsations (german sheperds) is absoluteley sensible, I lived through three of them as "family pets going for a walk in suburbia" and you are just waiiting for the thing to kick off...

It could have been my parents influence come to think of it, as I was alwasy a bit the same... 

OO, Ouch, painful self insight in a public forum. I'm glad I'm autistic, otherwise it'd be "embarrassing".. ;c)

Yeah, you know, with the nature of the internet, it's easy to misunderstand something. But I appreciate that you have taken the time to read and reply. No hard feelings. I hope you all the best as well. 

I don't have children, but have been scared of dogs since I was pounced on and knocked over by a German shepherd when I was 7 or 8.

Keep it practical, and point out areas of safety. The leash, that looks like a rope, between the dog and the person keeps you safe because it means the person will keep the dog nearby them.  When a dog approaches you, stand still to keep safe. If, after a few moments you still feel safe, move one of your hands palm up towards the dog so you can show it you are not hiding anything and it can smell you. Don't be surprised if the dog's wet nose, or wet tongue touch your hand, as that means it likes you, is curious, and wants to say 'hello'. Approach all dogs with caution (after all they have teeth and strong jaws, not all dogs have caring minders), and if you feel unsafe, stand still kind of hunched in. The dog will lose interest.

This is how I learned to cope with it.

What a hullabaloo !  I don't think this exchange with you has, nor is, transitioning anywhere useful, so I'll just let sleeping dogs lie and leave you assert and exude, as you see fit.  I am sorry if I have caused you irritation with a perceived lack of understanding or knowledge regarding this subject matter.

All the best Hullabaloo - over and out.

No, I'm not comparing dogs to wolves. Dogs come from the lineage of wolves. Dogs are domesticated wolves. They are canines. They were bred generation after generation for their certain traits. Dogs and wolves can even still mate with each other because their genetic lines are still close enough to be able to do so, like there's a wolfdog hybrid. Dogs depending on their breed, can have more of the predatory instincts of their wolf predecessors. There are animals that can give the predatory stare, like wolves, bears, eagles, and humans, because their eyes are positioned forward-facing to look directly at their targets, whereas prey usually have eyes on the sides of their heads, to have a peripheral vision of their surroundings. Dogs target things and chase them all the time. Where do you think that instinct comes from? 

If you love and support dogs, read up on them more often. 

Like you, I also wish to keep people safe from harm.......but I also wish to keep dogs safe from harm too.

Comparing a dog to a wolf, is like comparing the moon to a lump of cheese.  They look a bit like the same thing, if you ignore the perspectives and context involved.

Presuming that you can "see" anger and "a predatory nature" in the eyes of dogs, is a bit like presuming you can know my motivations via the power of the interweb thingy.

Rest assured, I have enjoyed my day, man......and I wish you a good night.

Yikes. Just enjoy your day man. Understandably not all dogs are bad. Dogs came from wolves, and that's why I pointed out that they are predatory. "Inaccurate" isn't the right word. Some dog breeds have more of that wolf instinct than other dogs do. Dogs are amazing creatures, but they should still be monitored when around people and children. You've replyed under my post pointing out the inaccuracies AND inflammatory language, so if that was a reply to my inaccuracies, and with that AND, isn't that also a reply about my inflammatory language as well? So I replied explaining why I used the information and language that I did. I have nothing against dogs, but there are by-laws in place, signage, and businesses who have rules about dogs and pets who have access on their premises, for the reason of keeping people safe from harm. 

I did not accuse you of "inflammatory language" and nor did I say it, nor you, upset my ears......I merely highlighted inaccuracies in what you had originally written.

I am glad that you are not "going to lump all dogs together and demonize them all collectively."

I wish you a pleasant rest of your day too.

Dogs comes from the lineage of wolves, and wolves are hunters and predators. It doesn't mean anything negative. That's just their ancestry.  If you take that as inaccurate or inflammatory language, that's on you, my friend. Children may look like prey to animals, which is why they must be watched closely by adults. 

Not all dog breeds have the same temperament, and not all dogs have the same kind of upbringing either. Some dogs come from puppy mills which are notorious places for abuse and animal cruelty. Some dogs are very friendly, while others are not, and the same goes for humans. Some humans are friendly, but you don't give your house keys and banking information to every human you meet, because you can't trust all of them.

If you don't teach children things like not to stare into the eyes of animals, children can get hurt by it. I've got attacked by cats when I was growing up, because I looked at them in the eyes, yet I don't think they are bad or blame them for the attack, but not everyone would be so forgiving, and they may want the animal to be put down. 

I'm not going to lump all dogs together and demonize them all collectively. Some dogs are friendly and others are not, and the ones who attack people are the ones causing the issues. But even if the dog is friendly around children, both of them should be supervised at all times. That's just being reasonable. If warnings go unheeded, injuries can occur. But enough about my "inflammatory language" that's upsetting to your ears. Maybe take your dog on a walk and enjoy your day.

Caelus said:

i spoke with owner, this one was a rescue dog.... as you will find most people have rescue dogs, these dogs are free.... free top good home... so everyone gets them... because they are free... but they are VERY VERY dangerous... and you cant read their phycology because there is alot wrong with them, hence why they are rescue dogs lol 

Every thing that you state in this quoted section is not true.

I don't know if it matters to you.....that all your statements are patently wrong*?

Edit - correction *perhaps you did once speak with a dog owner.......but all the rest is just bs.

Are cats and dogs allowed to be sold via retail stores in the UK?

I Sperg said:

So called family pet, bit me hard enough to make me bleed heavily, after several years of giving me guff

Several years of warnings and you didn't get the hint? Sounds like the dog was being predictable and you were being less than sensible by pushing repeatedly.

I Sperg said:

I was bitten when I was doing my paper round as a kid too

Alsations are the guard dog of choice by many owners because of their fiercly territorial nature - being a paperboy and going onto it's patch seems like you were accepting the risk. Naievity isn't really an excuse.

I Sperg said:

I think it's the owner that makes the difference.

I agree.

If you have an owner who cannot control an agressive dog then the dog will naturally become the alpha in the family and will become territorial. If the owner cannot control this then they have no place keeping a dog with this nature and the dog needs to be either retrained (and the owner) or moved on (most likely put down unfortunately).

It is like people having a car - they are deadly weapons in the hands of the incompetent.

I Sperg said:

it's no surprise that I prefer cats in my own life..

I've known plenty of vicious cats in my life and have a few scars to show for it, but they are much smaller than the dogs you mention and therefore less likely to be life threatening.

On the whole cats will own you whereas you own a dog - a very different dynamic with a different dependancy.

Too Graphic, right? 

Hullabaloo said:

looked straight in the eyes of dogs, and seen the dog's predatory nature, and anger.

Dogs, generally, do not display predatory nature nor anger in their eyes.  Their predatory nature is displayed only when they notice prey, and no dog views a human as prey...a threat perhaps....but not prey.

Dogs are likely to feel threatened if you stare at their eyes, but their eyes won't display anger....they will just meet the rudeness and challenge (as they see it) and convey "stop staring at me."

Language about dog behaviour needs to be kept "tight" these days.  Inaccurate and inflammatory language (and a lack of understanding) continues to cause a lot of good dogs a lot of anguish....and that is not fair.

I speak a few dialects of "dog" - so I will advocate for them where I see the need.

Your son has likely has frozen and looked straight in the eyes of dogs, and seen the dog's predatory nature, and anger. You need to give your son knowledge about body language of dogs, to not look them in the eyes, and to reherse with him about what to do in those situations when a dog is nearby, maybe with a dog stuffed toy or something. Also, give him absolute certainty that he will be protected from dogs, and that you will beat the dog up if it causes him any trouble. Maybe later on, you can show how to interact and greet friendly dogs, by showing him to allow a dog to sniff his hand as a greeting, and that he can pet the dog. But don't rush into this step. Dogs are like humans, they are very varied in terms of personalities. Some are nice, others are not so much. 

This reminds me of what I've heard about "puppy mill" dogs, which are dogs raised in cages under torturous and abusive conditions. They fear humans, they'll get aggressive and they'll attack humans, to try and protect themselves. I've heard that puppy mill dogs, are sold to retail stores, in ads, and many other places, and once an owner unwittingly buys them, the dogs are still mentally unstable, due to how it was raised and treated. 

Puppies raised in a kind and loving home since birth (or almost thereabouts), will have great personalities though. Although they'll still do things like guard the house from strangers, since they are pact animals and protect their territory, if they respect their owner, and their owners are okay with you, they'll be okay with you too. 

I mean I suppose this applies to humans as well, in the sense that if someone was raised in abusive conditions, they're not going to be the greatest at socializing with others. They might fear and distrust people in general, and see threats in situations that most people wouldn't. 

Sounds like he will never really like dogs.  That's ok, many people don't.  Accordingly, I wouldn't try to force him (and therefore to force a dog or two as well) to get together.  Even if it is the friendliest dog in the world, if your son is super-stressed, it could easily go wrong for everybody.

Can you (instead) show him the techniques to keep himself away from dogs and to induce dogs to ignore him......ie cross the road, give them a wide birth, don't look at them directly, hold your hands up over your chest, with tips of your thumbs touching your chin, don't make noises, walk by, don't react to them.

Your son is not alone btw in the sense that, in the last few months, general public "concern" about dogs has skyrocketed for reasons that I trust are obvious to all.

One day, your son may have the opportunity to meet a dog who wants to teach your son that some dogs are THE BEST for/with some humans!!  I would leave it for that dog to decide, when and where, and in the meanwhile, teach your son that HIS behaviour can keep dogs away from him quite easily....I suspect that knowledge will help to calm him around dogs....I can assure you that he will find it quite easy, if he can summon a modicum of outward calm.

Good luck

Do you know anyone who has a gentle dog? I would suggest introducing your son to it to show him that not all dogs are nasty. I wish I could get him to meet my dog she a sweet gentle old girl who loves everyone even people who don’t like dogs or are afraid of dogs take to my dog really well. 

Rescue dogs aren't free, animal rescue shelters charge about £100 for an animal, this covers some of the costs of flea and worm treatment and speying and other vetinary costs. They also do fairly rigorous home checks. Many people wonder if it would be easier to adopt a child rather than a dog or cat. Rescue's get to know the animals a bit so as they can match them to the right homes, so an animal who's scared of children won't be put in a home with them, nor will a dog that needs lots of exercise be placed where it's needs will be unmet.

Many people buy puppies and don't really know the source of them, puppy farmers are quite clever about convincing people the dogs really are family pets, the puppies are often sick, malnourished and over bred with underlying health problems. Many people who buy puppies are not the sort of people who know how to bring up a dog, are unwilling to train it, exercise it properly and generally meet its needs. Of course then you get the meatheads who want a "hard" dog, so they get the bull breads and wonder why they're aggressive.

Most of the time its not the dog thats the problem its the humans!

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