[QUOTE=last5oh_302;802866]This article was just sent to me yesterday. It's a long read but very informative. Hopefully you can sort this out Sharon.
Very funny and interesting. :)
[quote = Ebenezer]
It is not always the dog's fault, but they never win. People can be so stupid when approaching a strange dog. If they ask me, " Does your dog bite", I reply "Of course she does. She has teeth. Will she bite, only if you do something to hurt her or annoy her. " I always stop people as they approach and make them ask to pat the dog. We teach this in our beginner obedience class. Make people stop, get your dog under control (sitting) then let them be patted. It is a privilege to pat my dog and if I don't want you to I will tell you. I tell the handlers that they don't need to be polite to impolite people who run at their dogs or allow their children to run at a strange dog. I have been known to give more than one parent an earful about this.
I agree except in my case I gave permission in both instances to pat the dog and was shocked at the dog's response. Never seen it before.
[quote=roper]
We all watch Ceasar Milan. In cases like this he normally suggests the dog is reacting to the owners nervousness and anxious feelings being unwittingly transferred to the dog. This may be a little simplistic as I suspect there could be many reasons for this behaviour.
My brother owned a JRT for 12 yrs (Spike) and although lovable, he was a bit of a nutbar. In his case I think his nutty behaviour was a result of his own insecurities.
Good luck.
Rope
I think this is true. In my case I was perfectly confident in having my dog greet people so no nervousness here. There sure is now. :)
Appreciate all the input. Thanks.
If I had 50+ strangers willing to greet my dog with a cookie, I might be able to desensitize him , but not possible. He is not in public that often (probably part of the problem now), but normally running with the setters in the woods. Both situations were not common to him - 2 year old and 90 year old- but, I will muzzle him in public. A dog that bites ONCE is at great risk of being put down by the authorities here in London.