There is a myth that every dog out for a walk is going to be bomb proof. Sadly, it’s just that—a myth. Ranger is about as bomb proof as they come, even toddlers running up to him screaming and sticking their hands in his mouth (to cite one particularly egregious example) don’t faze him.
If only I could teach the public at large to ask before approaching a dog. If a person stops at a respectful distance and asks if they can meet her I can explain why that is not a good idea at this time and ask them to help with her training by yawning, turning their back and after turning back slowly, walk around her in a big curve. When a person does these things it helps my unsocialized, raised in the backyard of an animal hoarder by a pack of dogs, fearful little bitch learn to trust people; after all if they do what I just described they’ve clearly communicated their peaceful intent using the language that Finna understands. Instead, however, too many people make a beeline straight toward her, staring at her, leaning down to her with a hand outstretched; in dog communication, which is what Finna is most attuned to, these are all clear indications of aggressive intent. These people are offended when I turn and run away with my dog. And before someone wonders, I only walk her at times of day when we are least likely to meet people and do my best to walk her away before the overly friendly stranger gets close enough to frighten her but living in a busy suburb this isn’t always possible.
Finna's fears make walking her akin to taking a stick of dynamite on a stroll. I have to regard every person we see as a potential threat because that's how Finna views them. Walks are not fun and relaxing outings. In fact we don't take Finna for many walks anymore. We're all happier when she stays home and plays ball in the yard. But maybe that wouldn't be such an issue if people understood the need to ask and how to communicate with dogs. Most well socialized dogs are fairly fluent in human body language. Too bad most people aren't as well versed in canine body language. I can only imagine how much better that would be for Finna and dogs like her.
Finna's fears make walking her akin to taking a stick of dynamite on a stroll. I have to regard every person we see as a potential threat because that's how Finna views them. Walks are not fun and relaxing outings. In fact we don't take Finna for many walks anymore. We're all happier when she stays home and plays ball in the yard. But maybe that wouldn't be such an issue if people understood the need to ask and how to communicate with dogs. Most well socialized dogs are fairly fluent in human body language. Too bad most people aren't as well versed in canine body language. I can only imagine how much better that would be for Finna and dogs like her.
I remember clearly when our dog Jessie was introduced to the whole family for the first time. She was a little under a year old and my brother, Gabe, and I had arrived home from school with our school bags and in our blue school uniforms and into the back yard through a brand new side gate Dad had put in.
ReplyDeleteThere stood the most terrified little Staffi-cross. She didn't know what to do with herself seeing there wasn't a fence between any of us and her. When I saw her tail stuffed between her back legs (which were shaking) and her ears down and the same look on her face as Finna has in the photo you've got up, I dumped my school bag on the ground and did a very daring thing: I sat down in front of the dog and look at her with both my hands out and open.
She sniffed at them, nudged them over, then looked at me. I thought she was going to bite me, but she didn't, instead, I found she licked my cheek and sat down. I had to get my whole family to sit down on the ground to introduce themselves to our dog. We only had to do that once.
You see, our dog was from the RSPCA and she had been abused in a lot of ways - which we slowly found out over the years we had her. Jessie was a tough nut to crack... and once we found out how to crack on barrier and tore that down, there was another one underneath that. If it wasn't bigger than big problems walking her, it was the car trailer or not being able to get her in the car (or out of it once you got her into it... but that's another story for another time :P).
Over time, Jessie got to trust us all; especially me. You see, as she got on in years, I had to give her pain-killers as her arthritis bothered her and I had to take her to the vets and get her onto the table (and I break out in hives as I was allergic to her). Poor little thing... she put up with so much.
We found that being patient with Jessie was the key. She didn't like other dogs, but running away from with her wasn't the best idea. We had to exercise Jessie; and if we came across another dog - and Jessie didn't like other dogs no matter what breed they were - we just shortened the lead and held her close. However, there was one dog - Laddie - who became her boyfriend. He looked like Lassie and came into her life when she was older. They used to snuffle up to each other when I walked her along Thornhill Street (not far from Loey and Dad's place) and when Laddie's owner died, I took Jessie up to see him without the fence between them; and they got along just fine. So, his new owners and I exchanged phone numbers and addresses for when our dogs passed away. That didn't take very long.
Jessie was 13 3/4 when she passed away. And it was heartbreaking to tell Laddie's owners. However about a week or so later, we received a phonecall from his owners informing us that he had passed away as well... it was sweet that they two had found each other. And we never thought our dog - the most unsocialable dog around - would find herself a boyfriend in her life.
So you never know, Finna might too.
Thank you for sharing that story. It's heartening to hear about dogs that have recovered from their rough start and been able to live long and happy lives. When you say you tore down one one only to find another you're talking about Finna too. We get one of her issues under control and find several new ones to deal with. She is making progress but it is often painfully slow. It makes it especially comforting to hear about Jessie.
DeleteHave you thought about accclimating her to a basket muzzle for walks. Not necessarily because you're afraid of what they might do, but because when people see a dog with a muzzle, they steer clear. They don't even make eye contact!
ReplyDeleteFinna does now wear a muzzle because, as you say people do get it when they see a dog with a muzzle. When I put Finna's walking harness on her and get out the muzzle she dances with excitement. The muzzle means going outside the yard which she regards as a great treat.
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