I wish everyone was like you...:)
For those who aren’t into such things, standing stock still defuses a dog’s “prey drive”.
Though you may still be bitten, by not reacting you are vastly minimizing the damage.
In fact, done properly, you can convey ‘alpha body language’ by not only standing still, but by turning to the side and not meeting the dog’s gaze, almost as if you are pointedly “snubbing” said dog.
Doing that really confuses a dog because the person is not displaying anticipated ‘prey behavior’ which causes the dog to reconsider that his target may in fact be a superior predator, instead.
The absolute worst things to do are running, screaming, flailing about, etc.
That excites an already agitated dog to the point of potentially serious damage.
A case in point, a rabbit happily inhabits my backyard, despite it being ‘infested’ with some really serious rabbit hounds.
She has learned that if she simply hunkers down and ~doesn’t move~, they will literally sniff her, poke her, then get bored and go away, after which she makes a dignified exit through the fence, unharmed.
She’s been doing this successfully for *years*.
[Chipmunks haven’ been quite so bright...I have to run interference for them]
At any rate, you are an excellent example to others.
:)
I wish I had known that. Didn't have enough time to think of anything except flee meant she could kill me and standing still meant I would be alive. I suppose it would be a "slow" turn, instead of a "fast turn" to present the side view. When I saw her, she was already close to me as she was hidden by a bush and was suddenly there, and she was ready to make that leap, so I was staring at her. That all happened within seconds. I was still for maybe two or three seconds before she was on me. I think I turned into stone - that was what it felt like. If I am ever in that situation again, I'm turning to the side. Thank you.
What? You mean dogs are governed by prey drives and pack social structure? I’m shocked. Shocked.
Don’t you know that dogs are unpredictable barely-domesticated wolves willing to maul and rend humankind without warning, break the necks of infants, and devour our children in the dead of night?
*Next* you’ll be suggesting responsible adults should familiarize themselves with canine behavior (if they are not already familiar with it).
But I know you wouldn’t be that radical. :)