Some of you were asking OP to be rational - the trouble with rational thinking is that without all the information (in this case, how dogs really think and whether or not they can sense ill intention on a person without other cause), it can be very difficult to reach "rational," unbiased conclusions. I think the reaction of dogs to shady people has been noted by humans for a long time, and if something similar happened to me, I'd definitely be on high alert.
I think most dog owners know their dogs well enough to be hip to this.
I'm curious if there's anyone here who considers themselves an honest, non-violent, well-meaning person who gets this type of reaction from dogs that don't normally behave that way? Except in outlier incidents, like the one regarding the wooden heels, I'd venture these incidents are few and far between. Another instance where you might trigger a dog's alarm, I'd guess, would be if you just don't like their owner very much and are pretending you do for the sake of politeness, so that might also be an outlier incident.
Of course, everyone sees themselves as a "good person," but I'm sure we all know in our heart of hearts if dogs should be warning their owners away from us or not. I also doubt the psychopaths who've always got dogs lunging for their balls will bother replying.
I, for one, find dogs to be extremely accommodating to me. Even dogs that are known to be aggressive and bark often at new people, or are just standoffish, tend to warm up to me real quick and surprise their owners. Or am I just telling you this before I ask for your bank details?
I think most dog owners know their dogs well enough to be hip to this.
I'm curious if there's anyone here who considers themselves an honest, non-violent, well-meaning person who gets this type of reaction from dogs that don't normally behave that way? Except in outlier incidents, like the one regarding the wooden heels, I'd venture these incidents are few and far between. Another instance where you might trigger a dog's alarm, I'd guess, would be if you just don't like their owner very much and are pretending you do for the sake of politeness, so that might also be an outlier incident.
Of course, everyone sees themselves as a "good person," but I'm sure we all know in our heart of hearts if dogs should be warning their owners away from us or not. I also doubt the psychopaths who've always got dogs lunging for their balls will bother replying.
I, for one, find dogs to be extremely accommodating to me. Even dogs that are known to be aggressive and bark often at new people, or are just standoffish, tend to warm up to me real quick and surprise their owners. Or am I just telling you this before I ask for your bank details?
Beyond All Seas
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling