Quote:
Originally Posted by mthomas58
. I picked up Lucy and made a bee line for house cutting through two neighbors yards with the horrific fear that I would be attacked from behind before making it inside the house, but somehow I made it.
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That particular dog was programmed to go after small things, not adult humans. Substitute a a small baby or child and it's the same formula. It's a neighborhood tragedy waiting to happen again to a woman and stoller without some serious intervention and training. Or it needs to be put down yesterday.
You were carrying the prize and it wanted to take that from you. That's how dogs work. They are triggered by something and stay on that mentality path until snapped out of it. I knew a neurotic dog that wanted to bite shoes of visitors. My dog used to be triggered by men with hats and afraid of kids(but that was fixed when they threw the ball for him and he realized they were good things). He's also made some large dog friends after getting attacked by a former neighbor walking a pit and is much better with them as well. Used to be afraid of them.
In other situations, ignoring barking dogs tells them you are boss and your rules apply. A loud authoritative voice and outspread arms usually works to tell them. A dog that knows the pecking order and its role is calmer and tends to be less aggressive. They feed off of other's energy in packs and sometimes the instigator is the small one. A knee to the head when they get too close but that wouldn't work with a Great Dane. Usually with adult humans it's all show and some dogs have terrible manners when speaking. They take their cues from their owners.
Warning posters and bear spray and communicating with others for now. A group complaint is more effective in motivating authorities. I wish you the best.