Comments on: Understanding Dog Bites

By: Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 03:16:46 +0000

In reply to Meg Miller. Hi Meg, all good :)

By: Meg Miller

Meg Miller — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 22:46:03 +0000

In reply to Meg Miller. Oops, that reply was meant for David.

By: Meg Miller

Meg Miller — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 22:41:32 +0000

In reply to Doggy Dan.

The problem is it does take an Einstein to realise the dog needed a bit of space and time to relax (and it’s space invading dealt with). The woman may have sensed the dog was uncomfortable but, because most of us are not dog Einsteins, the solution we provide is the one that often works on humans – an offer of comfort, reassurance, friendship, affection – and, because dogs are not humans, our solutions often make the situation worse.

It’s easy to look down one’s nose at people who don’t know what we do. I did it all the time when I first started learning about this completely different species I brought into my home and made family. I’m still guilty of it at times. Dogs are not easy to understand because we are not dogs. Often the only way we have to make sense of what they do is via human psychology, and we end up inadvertently causing all kinds of problem behaviours.

By: Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 03:36:37 +0000

In reply to David. Hi David, yes this situation that you mention is exactly the one I describe in Rule no.2 Space Invading. You are right as well that dogs are always blamed however so often we need to take another look at our actions. Dan

By: Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 03:34:19 +0000

In reply to Denise.

Hi there Denise, Yes, we as humans have much to learn. I have not heard back from the lady however she was going to take a look at my video website and talk to her partner. I really do hope that she gave her dog another chance. Whatever the result it only makes me more determined to provide a fantastic solution through http://theonlinedogtrainer.com ! Dan

By: David

David — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 02:03:26 +0000

Recently a colleague brought his cousin’s dog to work (it’s a long story). The small dog was sitting under my chair in the staffroom, when another colleague bent down to pat the dog. The dog snapped at her touching the tip of her finger, no damage done. Her immediate reaction was to inform the dog’s handler for the day, about how the dog bit her when she was only trying to pat it. I think many dog bites are caused by people failing to see things from the dog’s point of view or read the dog’s body language. If a dog is under a chair, it shouldn’t take Einstein to realise that this dog is not feeling too comfortable right now and give it a bit of space and time to relax. Unfortunately, people don’t understand and the dog is blamed for the fallout.

By: Denise

Denise — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 00:15:36 +0000

Awesome article. I think a lot of people forget about teaching the children how to act around a dog just as much as the dog has to be taught to act around the children! Was the situation with the lady resolved in the end?