Since no one is letting this thread die off, I'll respond to a few things.
First:
Good question. What if you were deaf? What would you expect the runner to do then? Yelling "Hey!" sure isn't going to work.
And you don't have to be deaf. A lot of people listen to music when they walk or run. If you'd had earbuds in listening to music with your hood up, no verbal warning would've reached you even if he'd given one.
As
@Flaming said, even the slightest sound would make most dogs note you're there; knowing a lot of people who use their dogs as service animals I can say most are intone with even the slightest head tilt which would prompt a human response. But even runners slowing down would be nice.
I also wanted to add to that post, but it was too late, about what if I had a toddler that ran out and tangled the runner and his dog? or was afraid of large dogs? just slowing down, making a sound, or moving a little (the sidewalk is rather wide) would prevent anyone from getting hurt.
It seems to me that the dog may not be the only one in this partnership who is reactive and fear aggressive.
I agree. I am a reactive and if I was a dog, I would definitely say a little fear aggressive, though I doubt I'll ever bite anyone - but who knows
. Maybe I should wear a muzzle lol.
Me and Tessa are very similar. Every day I do my best to prevent my own anxiety to bounce off of hers, and vice versa. We use each other's experience to work through. It's my own experience that allows me to understand what she must be feeling. Some people wouldn't have this unique understanding, sometimes it's a blessing, sometimes a curse.
Also yeah, if my dog tried to bite someone BECAUSE he was reactive I would certainly muzzle him in public. It's not cruel, its for others safety. I may not be able to predict others' actions. Children run up to Cosmo all the time, if he was bite reactive I certainly would't want the liability of him biting a child. It sounds like your dog bites when approached quickly, I'd be concerned about that.
Again she didn't try to bite anyone, her mouth never even opened, she did move toward the danger though, which we are working on a better response to move away instead. Also any dog can bite when startled, whether it be at a vet clinic, out on a walk, startled from sleeping, fast moving objects, Old dogs that have lost eye sight or hearing, etc. Should all dogs be muzzled? I'm not trying to sound angry or aggressive, but it is a good debate, maybe one for another thread. What about a sheltie that nips at a bike rider riding by? Or a heeler who attempts to herd passing children? Should they require muzzling too? Even though they are doing something that can be trained to be inhibited. Just a thought I've had.
As I said, I doubt Tessa would ever bite anyone but at the time I made this thread I was still running off of adrenaline and anxiety so I had a lot of "what ifs" running through my mind and the thread reflects this. I wish I never posted - lesson learned. I definitely sounded more dramatic in those few moments of posting and I regret that, I had had rough day, this incident occurred, and well I vented. And yes at the time I felt I was allowed to hate on the person who was also involved in making me feel this way - we all do it, but I don't truly wish him ill, I just hated that whole situtation. My bad, but please stop telling me I need to be more attentive and muzzle my dog.
As I've repeated, if I felt it was required I would. It is at this time that both the trainer we are working with and I feel that a muzzle is not required. She was startled, as was I. If ever I feel she is a danger to bite I will definitely muzzle her, I have no issues with muzzling when warranted, but it's been agreed with the people who have met and assessed my dog that it is not needed.
I have, however, taken the whole experience and applied it to training with Tessa. She is learning a default "side". I understand not every situation is possible to expect, but we will be as ready as possible.
and yes
@TiggerBounce is correct, I do my general walking at odd hours or in places most people don't take their dogs. We do small, short, training at parks where there are people and other dogs, but we are always at a distance Tessa feels comfortable. She has done amazing in improvement since her first moment of reactivity, almost 2 years ago. She can now meet strange people and let them pet her, she also can walk down the same side walk as a strange dog - barring this one incident, I am proud of my dog's progress.
Can we get over it now and let this vent rest in peace? Please?
