Dutch Shepherd Forum

Why do dogs bark when someone is affraid of them? We were walking down a busy walking trail this weekend (both dogs on leash) and a lady stopped nervously as we passed. Halo was first to start barking at her then Diesel. I had them both heeling by my side as we passed and they stayed in control. But it probably didn't help that lady feel any better about big dogs or whatever her fear was. I just don't understand how people can be affraid of my adorable pooches! Especially since they were both tired and panting and thus had their happy face on!

probably because they looked like beasts to her one stripe and one solid

My girl loves everyone... except the one neighbor that I know is terrified of dogs. She always has to bark at her (as she is heading the other direction)!

Diesel wrote:Why do dogs bark when someone is affraid of them? We were walking down a busy walking trail this weekend (both dogs on leash) and a lady stopped nervously as we passed. Halo was first to start barking at her then Diesel. I had them both heeling by my side as we passed and they stayed in control. But it probably didn't help that lady feel any better about big dogs or whatever her fear was. I just don't understand how people can be affraid of my adorable pooches! Especially since they were both tired and panting and thus had their happy face on!

Unfortunately Sugar does the same thing It's definitely an energy thing the dogs sense...

To us these are stripey balls of love but to others they are shadows of death.

My old neighbor was the sweetest woman but terrified of dogs, thalie would run up to her all happy and the woman was so afraid, but she did after a while get better.

Im sure dogs can smell out stress level rising, plus people who are affraid dont act casually, they get stiff (dont know a better word atm) and stare at the dogs.

Dogs are just trying to tell them to calm down. At least once a day Leo has to make his objections known to something he doesn't want to do by going off on a rant for about 5 minutes. After I tell him I understand, and he's fine.

People that are afraid of dogs should take it upon themselves to learn these 3 simple rules - No look, no touch, no speak. But then, that just makes sense.

Drizlaru wrote:People that are afraid of dogs should take it upon themselves to learn these 3 simple rules - No look, no touch, no speak. But then, that just makes sense.

How does that make sense? Maybe to us, but for somebody who is afraid of dogs, they are going to keep their eyes on it to watch for any false moves. And might yell at the dog for getting too close.

I also hate when I'm hiking and come across strange dogs off leash. I have no way of knowing if they are friendly or not. And they often precede their owners by several yards who don't even seem do care. Most owners don't know what their dogs will do when they are not around. I lived in a neighborhood with a vicious dog that the owners let run loose. Of course, when the owner was around, the dog was a sweetheart.

CaroleBoaz wrote:

Drizlaru wrote:People that are afraid of dogs should take it upon themselves to learn these 3 simple rules - No look, no touch, no speak. But then, that just makes sense.

How does that make sense? Maybe to us, but for somebody who is afraid of dogs, they are going to keep their eyes on it to watch for any false moves. And might yell at the dog for getting too close.

I also hate when I'm hiking and come across strange dogs off leash. I have no way of knowing if they are friendly or not. And they often precede their owners by several yards who don't even seem do care. Most owners don't know what their dogs will do when they are not around. I lived in a neighborhood with a vicious dog that the owners let run loose. Of course, when the owner was around, the dog was a sweetheart.

You can keep an eye on a dog without looking at it directly, just like you can keep an eye on a child without looking at them directly.

Staring at a dog is physically challenging that dog, and depending on the personality of the dog, it could be the trigger for an attack. Just like running from a dog is a horrible idea, and can also trigger an attack by putting the dog into predatory drive. What's the best thing to do when confronted by an aggressive dog if your without a "weapon"? We know, but the people that are afraid of dogs, I would think, would want to educate themselves to learn how to avoid any potential conflicts, and lessen the likelihood of an attack. That's what makes sense to me. Those 3 simple rules are meant to avoid conflict, staring at an unknown dog is bad, touching an unknown dog is bad, and yelling at an unknown dog is bad. All they do is stimulate the dog, that's also bad.

On the dog owners side - the negative reaction from the stranger, all it does is reinforce the bad behavior. Because they will put on the display of "aggression", the stranger will react, then go away, and they will associate the behavior with the result. This is why escalating cases of aggression happen, the behavior is reinforced over time by the same scenario, and not corrected properly. In worst case scenario,the dog ends up in "flight or fight" mode, defense takes over if they can't go into avoidance, and it's game on like donkey kong. Dogs do this for different reasons, some because of fear, some do it just for the reaction and attention, and some because they do have a dominant streak and they took the staring as a threat, the list goes on.

Every public area that allows dogs, also has at least one idiot dog owner. It's a law of nature, or should be.

I agree 100% with the afore said. IMO it all comes down to the dog owner. Needs to be a strong leader and show the dog all business is taking care of. It's a huge task in this modern life environment and you are pretty much 100% on because of all the idiots out there.

If there is one of those "scared of dogs" people who does one of those three things, may be the best approach is to tell them "no look, no touch, no talk". Make it a funny statement "like the dog whisperer said" or something that brakes the ice.

But I learned to trust the instinct of my dogs. If they are suspicious of a stranger, I tell them "good job, you watch them, I'll take care of it if needed".

Ben, very well said.

I have to side with the scared person. It is our privilege to have dogs, not their responsibility to get over their fear.

I also feel, as a responsible pet owner, it is our responsibility to ensure that our dogs never infringe on the rights of others - regardless of how inappropriate others might react out of fear. If our dogs are under control, then everyone should be fine.

Per the initial post, I think the reaction can be caused by many things. The dog themselves could be afraid of the person's strange behavior and pheromones and trying to keep a threat at bay (most common in my opinion). The dog could be a bit of a punk and seeing an opportunity to effect change on someone else's behavior. And I agree with Ben, in some cases, the dog could be trying to diffuse the situation. But I don't read a forward, barking dog that way.

I think an initial warning by one dog is fine. But then back to control and a mouth is not required for healing.

Christie M wrote:I have to side with the scared person. It is our privilege to have dogs, not their responsibility to get over their fear.

It is their responsibility not to overreact. Not mine to dissolve a situation caused by their overeaction. Correction to the dog for unappropriate behavior, maintain control , and leave the area. I've seen the aftermath of when someone gets scared by a dog, the person gets mad, and comes back with a gun. It's not pretty.

I also feel, as a responsible pet owner, it is our responsibility to ensure that our dogs never infringe on the rights of others - regardless of how inappropriate others might react out of fear. If our dogs are under control, then everyone should be fine.

Yes, absolutely, to a point. Until an overreaction by a stranger puts my, their own , or my dogs safety at risk. Actions have consequences, I will not be held responsible for someone elses stupidity, even if they are reacting out of fear. If they are that afraid of dogs, they should find a new place to walk, as I'm sure their are plenty of areas to walk that don't allow dogs. If someone was to escalate a situation where my dog was barking at someone, and I had leash control over my dog, to the point where someone was going to get hurt. Is it their fault for overreacting, or yours for making every attempt to maintain control of your dog, leave the area, and diffuse the situation? If anyone was to come after my dog (or me!) because my dog was acting like an idiot, and I was trying to correct the behavior while maintaining control and leaving the area, they wouldn't have to worry about the dog. It's the bigger manimal at the other end of the leash they need to be worried about.

Per the initial post, I think the reaction can be caused by many things. The dog themselves could be afraid of the person's strange behavior and pheromones and trying to keep a threat at bay (most common in my opinion). The dog could be a bit of a punk and seeing an opportunity to effect change on someone else's behavior. And I agree with Ben, in some cases, the dog could be trying to diffuse the situation. But I don't read a forward, barking dog that way.

I think an initial warning by one dog is fine. But then back to control and a mouth is not required for healing.

In the best case scenario, the dog wouldn't be barking and lunging and would focus on their leader, while remaining indifferent to strangers, putting trust in the pack leader to keep them safe, and to handle any situations that do come up. This would completely diffuse the situation so that any person that was afraid of dogs wouldn't have a reason to react in the first place.

Personally, I will not allow my dogs to bark , growl, snap, or lunge at anyone off of their property or outside their area. However, it is appropriate behavior (with me) should a stranger come on my property inside their area, and try to enter my home. Nobody is going to wander onto my property where the dogs are without the intent to break in (Large fence, warning signs, dogs are completely contained inside the fence and house areas). In which case, sick 'em fido.