Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on December 2, 2014 at 3:43am

Haven't had that happen but sounded quite scary. Happy you and owner/walker were ok.

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Permalink Reply by BruceBikes on December 2, 2014 at 4:57am

I would agree with you - your dress (especially your lack of a human face - to the perception of the dog) could have been a trigger.  Owning a (maybe) Rott/German-Shepherd mutt myself, I can attest that some breeds can be very protective of their people's space.  This is especially true when a perceived threat comes up very quietly and seemingly out of nowhere like you would on a bike.  My guess is you surprised both the dog and the owner in your sudden (and threatening?) appearance, and this particular dog was doing everything it could to put itself between you and its owner.  I'm glad everyone came out okay from this encounter.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 2, 2014 at 7:44am

Fixed it for ya. You are welcome :)

Andy Moss 9.5 said:

Many dogs can be reactive when on leash or harness, especially when surprised, but it's not the breed, it's the individual dog's owner. 

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 2, 2014 at 12:07pm

Have to disagree here. The dog cannot be held responsible for it's personality. The owner is responsible for the dog's actions, period. Everything else is just excuses.

Andy Moss 9.5 said:

Dogs have personalities.  For all you know, that owner is completely responsible and loving and in the process of training the dog to be less reactive.  

 
Duppie said:

Fixed it for ya. You are welcome :)

Andy Moss 9.5 said:

Many dogs can be reactive when on leash or harness, especially when surprised, but it's not the breed, it's the individual dog's owner. 

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Permalink Reply by BruceBikes on December 2, 2014 at 12:42pm

It seems like you guys are talking right past one another here: responsible (i.e. reliable or dependable) vs. responsible (i.e. accountable for something in one's control)

Duppie, yes, the owner is ultimately accountable for his dog's actions, but Andy is also right; some dogs definitely have more reactive personalities, despite best intentions and practices.  A dog is not merely a vacuum into which dependable owners inject good training.

Duppie said:

Have to disagree here. The dog cannot be held responsible for it's personality. The owner is responsible for the dog's actions, period. Everything else is just excuses.

Andy Moss 9.5 said:

Dogs have personalities.  For all you know, that owner is completely responsible and loving and in the process of training the dog to be less reactive.  

 
Duppie said:

Fixed it for ya. You are welcome :)

Andy Moss 9.5 said:

Many dogs can be reactive when on leash or harness, especially when surprised, but it's not the breed, it's the individual dog's owner. 

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Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on December 2, 2014 at 2:14pm

To answer your question, it wasn't your appearance with regards to the helmet, per se. It was the bike and the speed at which you were moving. Some dogs have a very strong drive that has them go after people on bikes, among other things. Its very common in herding breeds and gladiator type dogs such as pits, mastiffs and rottweilers.
It wasn't an isolated incident as the dog was harnessed to the dude's chest because the dog gets anxious about certain things while on walks and it's one way for the walker to better handle the dog. The dog needs to (continued to be?) socialized to be able to be around bikes and the walker can ditch the harness.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 2, 2014 at 4:34pm

You are right. But acknowledging that a dog has a personality that can be out of your control is a slippery slope. Before you know it, you are like my neighbor. She has two chihuahuas that yip at all hours of the day. She claims that she has done all she can, that they are just 'lively' and basically refuses to take any responsibility.

BruceBikes said:

It seems like you guys are talking right past one another here: responsible (i.e. reliable or dependable) vs. responsible (i.e. accountable for something in one's control)

Duppie, yes, the owner is ultimately accountable for his dog's actions, but Andy is also right; some dogs definitely have more reactive personalities, despite best intentions and practices.  A dog is not merely a vacuum into which dependable owners inject good training.

Duppie said:

Have to disagree here. The dog cannot be held responsible for it's personality. The owner is responsible for the dog's actions, period. Everything else is just excuses.

Andy Moss 9.5 said:

Dogs have personalities.  For all you know, that owner is completely responsible and loving and in the process of training the dog to be less reactive.  

 
Duppie said:

Fixed it for ya. You are welcome :)

Andy Moss 9.5 said:

Many dogs can be reactive when on leash or harness, especially when surprised, but it's not the breed, it's the individual dog's owner. 

• ▶ Reply