one day me and my friend went up the road to my other friends house. My other friend happened to have a dog. My friend went to rub the dog. The dog allowed him and took it gratefully. I was up next. I walked up to the dog, kneeled down and went to rub him and he starts growling and snapping. He's been doing this for his whole life. I've never hit him or threatened him, i've never smelt cus i have a shower every morning so what is it?
2006-06-20 11:37:32 · 13 answers · asked by ? 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Read Fluke.
Fluke was a man who was murdered by his best mate and reincarnated as a dog. He didn't know much, as a dog, but he knew he hated the man who had killed him.
You've been rumbled. Who did you kill?
2006-06-20 11:45:47 · answer #1 · answered by Frog Five 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Unlikely that it's a "grudge". Chances are there's something about your body language that makes the dog nervous. Be careful to keep your hands low, and don't make direct eye contact with the dog. Walk up to the dog sideways, or better yet, back up toward the dog with one hand held low next to your leg for the dog to sniff.
There can be other things that can set dogs off. Behaviorist Trish McConnell tells a story of an aggressive dog that she worked with which only reacted to certain people. Turned out, she reacted to people who had eaten pizza before coming over! She'd been kicked by a pizza delivery boy and had developed a bad association to the smell. Once they figured out what it was they were able to fix it, but it just goes to show that you can't always know "why" a dog has an issue with a particular person.
My dogs have a real problem with an older woman in our neighborhood. Just that older woman. I can't imagine why since she is very non-threatening. I've wondered whether she's has illness like cancer since I've heard of dogs reacting to that.
2006-06-21 02:50:09 · answer #2 · answered by FairlyErica 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you approach the dog too fast? It could have felt threatened. Next time you visit, sit away from the dog for a while, have treats in your pocket that he can smell, for instance 'Tubos' or 'Puppy Markies'. Do not go near the dog, instead wait until he comes to you and when he doesm do not touch him until he's had a good chance to sniff you and decide wheteher or not he's going to like you!
IShould he still growl at you when he sees you, ignore him. It's his owner's responsibility to ensure his dog behaves with his guests! So and unless he stops growling, he should discourage him from doing so by removing him from the room and bring him back, see how he reacts to you and if still growling do it again! It can take a while but should work.
Having said that ... Dogs can tell who they like/dislike same as humans do. A person might not like you, will pretend they do then once your back's turned! Will speak very badly about you. Dogs are more honest! They tell you immediately what to expect!
2006-06-21 04:13:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! No! No!
Just like people, dogs learn from experience - good experience and bad experience. Who knows what is going on in this dogs head but someone who resembles you in some way has made him afraid of you.
Unlike people, dogs do not bear grudges. A grudge is a feeling of ill will or resentment towards some one who has been nasty towards you. In other words you can't forgive them - forgiveness is a human state.
Dogs fear anything which harms them. Sometimes they can get over the fear and some never can. So if someone does something nasty to a dog he will fear that person or people similar and because dogs 'see' us differently not only with their eyes but with their hearing and their sense of smell, you could remind the dog of someone who we might think is nothing like you.
2006-06-21 13:07:39 · answer #4 · answered by DogDoc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried bringing this dog treats? A few days of bringing him one and he'll love you to no end. The fastest way to a dog's heart is through his stomach.
If you are afraid, this dog knows it. They can smell fear. Try to show no fear when you give him a treat.
2006-06-20 18:46:51 · answer #5 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah,if ya did something wrong on it on the dog as pup because a dog never forgets a face
2006-06-21 08:02:22 · answer #6 · answered by kilo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he probably had a bad experience with another animal. my dog i generally well behaved although she snarls and snaps at any golden retriever that passes her.it probably has nothing to do with you.
2006-06-23 16:48:35 · answer #7 · answered by life is short, I am not. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they can, its all down to what there mom & dad were like.
Just like we inherit genes from our parents, unfortunate for some i know! lol
2006-06-20 18:42:10 · answer #8 · answered by MoJoJoJo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Were you a cat in a previous life?
2006-06-21 01:13:18 · answer #9 · answered by luthierick 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look in the mirrior thats why you idiot
2006-06-20 18:40:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋