do you know the difference between a snap, a nip, and a bite?
My dogs will “air-snap” at strangers who behave badly. This involves a rush up to them, with a loud snap (snapping the air) on either side of the offending stranger. This is meant to cause the stranger to stop moving toward the house or me. If said stranger, whether dog or person, stops, the dog stops the air snap, and waits for me to indicate friend or foe.
Certain types of herding dogs will sometimes “nip” people(sheep) they want to move in a certain direction. This is done using their little front teeth, no the canines, and is just a “pinch”. It is part of their desirability as herding dogs.
My female, particularly, will nip me in the most sensitive part of the back of my arm, if I am not moving to the door fast enough for her, or am outside playing with her. She never draws blood, and doesn’t intend to. It is her way of saying, “hurry up, mom!”
A full bite is meant to draw blood, maim, pull flesh away from bone. Good dogs do not bite, but will snap and nip.
People who do not understand dogs should not try to pet them, and probably shouldn’t keep them as pets.
Reporters are, to Barney, total strangers, and these fools have no business trying to pet him. Barney has good manners, and if reporters do not invade his space, he will leave them alone.
“do you know the difference between a snap, a nip, and a bite?”
having owned several dogs yes I do.
Owners that fail to train their dog properly or that fail to keep their dog in safe place are wrong. Joking about how ones dog bites people is painfully stupid. If a dog can’t be trusted around people then it shouldn’t be in a public place.
Control your dog or your dog will be put down and you will be sued.
Absolutely and savvy dog person would have moved out of the way from an air snap.
This reporter may have a mother who has a Scottie who knows him but he is obviously not dog savvy.