How I started my day

My day started as usual, with a cup of hot tea, while I got dressed, let the dogs out for morning constitutionals and prepared for work.  I left early for the clinic so that Port, my new KSDS service pup in training, and I could get a nice brisk 30 minute walk in before work.  A morning walk and hands off leash training began as Port and I headed out from the clinic.  We were one block into our walk when suddenly a large white Shepard mix charged out into the street with his ruff up and making a head on approach to us.  I stopped, scooped Port up into my arms and waited.  I wanted to make an assessment of the dog's intent.  There was no growling or barking, but every time I turned my back to the dog (indicating to him that I was not a threat) he would circle around and again face me head on.  In dog language this is a pretty aggressive move.

I continued to turn my back several times before the dog finally seemed to loose interest and headed off in another direction.  I watched him as he moved behind me down the street about a half block away and then out of sight.  I am thinking, whew...glad that is over and a potential confrontation was avoided.  I put Port back on the ground and we resumed our walk, with me looking over my shoulder to be sure the Shepard was not returning.  Less than 30 feet later, here he come again, barreling up behind me in the same manner.  Again, I scooped Port up and stopped.  Again, I turned my back to the dog and averted my eyes from him.  Now I am wondering how Port and I can even get back to the clinic since this dog will not let me move more than a few feet at a time before he makes any aggressive movements towards up.  So I call our local police department (thank God I never go anywhere without my umbilical chord).  So I stood and waited for the police to arrive to rescue us.

Three patrol cars arrived, placing their cars between the Shepard and me with Port in my arms.  The dog took off again towards a nearby wooded area.  Port and I got a ride back to the clinic in the back of a patrol car.  Once back at the clinic, not to be discouraged, we resumed our walk in a different direction.

Point of the story?  This is National Dog Bite Prevention week.  Port and I knew what to do if a strange and potentially aggressive dog crossed our path.  We educated ourselves about dog body language and knew that a frontal head on encounter could indicate aggression, even though the dog was not growling or barking.  We knew to not face the dog or make eye contact with it, by turning away (what would seem a very unnatural thing to do) we were telling the Shepard we were not a threat.  We encourage you to educate yourselves about dog language and behavior and to teach your children how to avoid potential bites.  We also DEMAND DOG OWNERS TO BE RESPONSIBLE.  Socialize your pups to strangers, spay/neuter (this dog was not neutered), provide secure yard fencing that will keep your dog from potential dangers (this dog had been tied up outside on a tether with no fenced yard), teach your dog good obedience skills.

I am concerned for this Shepard.  This neighborhood is full of walkers/runners, near two schools with kids that walk to school.  Should this dog again get free from his tether outside, someone that is not as knowledgeable as Port and me could get seriously hurt.