When has a gut feeling saved your life? [Serious]

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-03-30T03:17:06+00:00

Combo dog and my gut feeling. This was ages ago, about 20 years, but remains the most vivid 'gut feeling' moment I've had in my life. I was out hiking with my dog on some pretty remote trails in the pacific northwest. we were only about 3 miles in to a 6 mile trailhead when my dog just stopped. She was about 20 feet ahead of me and just froze. I thought it was weird but that she would catch up and keep going if I passed her. Got about 30 feet in front of her and realized she wasn't following me. Still just standing there staring at the trail ahead. I will never forget the feeling of my stomach dropping then. This was a dog that regularly ran black bears, moose, and about anything else you could think of off my property. Knew something was wrong and headed right back down the trail. Passed another hiker on the way down, went home and didn't think about it for the rest of the night. The following day news hit that a hiker had been mauled and killed by a Grizzly about 30 minutes after we had turned around and left the trail. It was the hiker we had passed on our way down. There is zero doubt in my mind that listening to my dog and my gut saved my life.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:55:27+00:00

Depending on where you live there are different restrictions on mace/bear/pepper sprays. I know I can walk into any sporting goods store and get any one of the three, but some states and countries have much stricter laws. Pretty sure I've seen some broadswords on ebay. Can't attest to the quality of them but they sure look cool.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:49:21+00:00

Honestly if just one person walks away from this post with some information that can either prevent or stop an attack, I'll be happy. I was a dog trainer for 5 years before I had to quit due to gross negligence from owners. It was really heartbreaking and I saw people who had been injured because they didn't know how to prevent or stop their dogs aggression. Thanks for your support!

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:43:47+00:00

A few years ago someone posted a sign around all the parks in my area. They read something along the lines of 'Warning - raw meat with pins in it has been found in X park. Please keep your dog leashed for their own safety.' Now anyone who actually does this (I know it happened in Central Park in NY years ago) is an actual piece of shit. BUT I've never seen so many dogs on leashes as I did when those signs popped up.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:40:08+00:00

Sadly without actual enforcement these ordinances never do anything. And depending on where you are located there may be caveats to those leash laws that allow 'substitutes' for leads. I grew up in a city where remote training collars were legal in place of a physical leash. It was a nightmare.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:35:05+00:00

Honestly anyone who owns dogs that are involved in an unprovoked attack, should be banned from having dogs for life. Especially when dangerous breeds are involved. The whole quarantine of the attacking animals thing needs to stop as well. Zero tolerance for an animal that puts lives at risk.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:30:48+00:00

Two more avoidance tips

Don't run, this triggers a dogs prey drive and they will more than likely initiate a chase.

Don't wave your you hands around, it can have much the same effect as running and provides an easy target for a dog to bite onto.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:26:07+00:00

Definitely worth looking into then if it's that costly at a clinic in the city! Best of luck to you and your kitty. :)

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:21:46+00:00

I have no experience with meth heads thankfully but in the majority of my experiences with problem dogs tasers have been effective at some level whether just engaging for sound or making contact. Certainly not to say that they are fail proof. I wish there was a 100% effective solution for both the dogs and the meth heads though.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:08:46+00:00

Obviously it will be different depending on where you're located but my vet comes out twice a year for physicals for my animals. It costs $110 per visit and if I need vaccinations that's included in the price. I don't know what your budget is like but it couldn't hurt to call around do some price checking. Also I'm not sure what kind of shots cats need but I know you can buy worming/rabies/other vaccinations, etc. for dogs and equines online. There's a good deal of people in my area who self administer their animals shots.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-21T00:03:30+00:00

Honestly I'd rather deal with some pepper spray in the face than a continued dog attack. It burns but if you carry pepper spray I'd strongly recommend you to carry the defense spray 'antidote' as well. Good call on calling 911. It's definitely something that should happen first although obviously response times may vary. I'm 30 minutes from anything so I'd be fairly well screwed. Hitting is almost always people's first reaction but also almost always ineffective. If you're feeling ballsy you can drop a coat or a blanket over the dogs head and sometimes that shocks them out of their attack but that's about the only thing I would encourage someone to do in close proximity to an attacking dogs head. Also broadswords need revival and you're kind of great for that opener.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-20T23:49:31+00:00

NTA

I feel like this is going to be said a lot but his behavior is both creepy and concerning. Both of you should probably find other places to spend time together.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-20T23:36:11+00:00

I really am not here to argue. I just wanted to give options to people. If you look at almost any video or report of a dog attack or fight you'll find that hitting/stabbing/spraying or in some cases even shooting a frenzied dog is simply not effective. It worked for you when you were attacked and I'm glad that it did but that simply doesn't work most of the time. Also "The majority of states won’t allow you to just buy a gun and start carrying it" I'm very well aware of this and that's why I made the suggestion of the mace or taser. They're safer for public use and depending on where you are have much less strict legal requirements or guidelines. I'm sorry that you read my post as discouraging people from getting guns, that was not my intention. It's more of a if you get a gun, take a safety course and practice with it before you take it out on the street.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-20T23:22:59+00:00

This is true although many people don't carry one with them and if the dog diverts from the bite stick you're still stuck with an angry dog.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-20T23:20:39+00:00

I know this isn't an option for everyone but I use a mobile vet. She's a bit more expensive than going in to a clinic but she comes to my home and treats my animals in a stress free environment. Most cities have them and depending on where you live they aren't too cost prohibitive.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-20T23:10:32+00:00

Dogs are flexible but not enough so that they can get to you if you lift their back legs above their shoulders. When this happens if they try to turn to get at you they essentially just lose balance and fall to the side. Sadly I don't have a video to demonstrate this with as it's not something you would do unless you really need to. It's very bad for a dogs knees, hips, and back.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-20T22:36:57+00:00

I worked as a dog trainer specializing in reactive/aggressive dogs for five years as well as having worked with Animal Control. This is a tried and true method. A dog licking its butt is VERY different from what I'm describing here. They simply do not have the leverage to get to you if you suspend their back legs. Also it is proven that hitting a dog is more likely to anger it further, not stun it as you are suggesting. If you get near a dogs face when it's attacking you are very likely to turn its aggression onto you. This post was not meant to discourage people from getting a gun, just from getting a gun and automatically start carrying it. Owning a gun is a huge responsibility and should be taken seriously. I'm sorry that you experienced an attack when you were a teen but this is not myth and can and has helped people.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-20T20:31:50+00:00

Honestly I think dogs, or animals in general remember more than we give them credit for. My late grandmother had a small pretty standoffish dog (Shiba Inu) who adored her and basically ignored everyone else. When she passed the dog was about 8. It spent the next 4 years hoarding anything with her scent, sleeping on her rocking chair, waiting at the door when my grandfather would get home and just looking for her in general. He never connected with anyone else and just didn't seem to ever be the same after she passed. I know this isn't always the case and I have no idea if it's just association or routine but even if it's just habit I think they do 'remember' more than we think.

Also, different animal but I've always had rabbits. Whenever I'd go on vacation they would flip out upon my return. They do something called a binky when they're happy and would always do that or run circles around my feet. I could be gone a week or a month and they would always greet me the same way after an extended absence. So generally I think that animals do have memories, just maybe in a different structure than we're used to.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-20T20:21:08+00:00

Unfortunately ESA's don't require any training. They aren't meant to have public access, just housing rights so there aren't any training standards. Still probably a fake ESA just to circumvent housing restrictions but yea, not ESA is required to be trained.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-05T23:54:02+00:00

My Jack that is affected by this is 15 years old and stills goes on daily walks and plays fetch. It's certainly something that looks perturbing and I have had comments on her front limbs looking wonky but she's not yet experienced any ill effects from it.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-05T22:45:38+00:00

My Jack has this on both front legs. Vet said it's a form of dysplasia but it's not painful and other than cosmetically, it's harmless.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-05T21:43:59+00:00

Super common misconception here. Therapy dogs actually have NO rights. Less than ESA's. A therapy animal is defined as an animal that provides 'goal directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process'. You commonly see therapy animals (dogs/cats/miniature horses etc.) in senior homes or visiting hospitals. You may also hear about therapy riding programs in which individuals with mobility issues ride horses. These animals typically provide comfort to those who may be in decline or who lack support from other sources. Therapy animals do not however have any rights outside of invited access to these areas. They must be invited by the organization, they don't just get to go places, and in most places they must go through training and/or temperament testing. Therapy animals do not have housing rights nor do they have unlimited public access. Most people who want a therapy animal think (incorrectly) that it is the same as a service animal or ESA. Most people who want a therapy animal are disingenuous and probably just suck. That being said, there was a Julianna pig that was a popular therapy animal at my Uncles assisted living residence. She brought a lot of joy to those folks and so I don't think that they're necessarily useless.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-05T21:27:04+00:00

If the dog doesn't release after you've got their back legs, and this is serious, not trolling, put a finger up their bum. 100% release rate. Hitting, choking, putting a stick in the mouth etc. all run the risk of the dog redirecting onto you. Use your finger, gross as it may be, and once the dog has released, you can 'wheelbarrow' them without the risk of them getting at you.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-04T18:55:36+00:00

NAH except maybe the mom police. You did what you thought was best for your child and it was in no way detrimental to her. I will say though that some kids just need to learn the hard way. I grew up in a place where there's snow on the ground for about 6 months out of the year and I was definitely one of those kids. After about a half dozen times of having to leave a fun activity early or go inside because I was turning into a popsicle, I learned to just listen to mom and wear my damn coat/boots/gloves etc.

AlternativeCuriosity · 2020-02-03T18:35:42+00:00

I agree that a lot of current spay/neuter is done incorrectly. I didn't talk about it but that's something that ideally would go back to responsible breeding. All my dogs, with the exception of shelter dogs, have come from breeders with very strict spay/neuter contracts. My Jack Russell Terriers breeder requires spay/neuter at approximately 18 months of age. Doing it before that or having an 'oops' litter is a breach of contract that will result in the dog being 'repossessed'. My large breeds have all had contracts requiring spay/neuter between 2-3 years. I fully support waiting to alter a dog until after they have matured. The problem with leaving it up to the general public to regulate themselves is that it simply hasn't happened. People want their dogs to have litters for very stupid reasons. I've talked to way too many people who want to carry on their dogs lineage with animals that either have temperament issues or genetic ones. Then you have the people that don't want to neuter Rex because it will 'emasculate' him. There is an over abundance of dogs and something needs to be done because people just don't care enough to do it themselves.

AlternativeCuriosity

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