In my attempt to get to 10,000 steps per day, I've been trying to take more walks around the neighborhood. I don't live in a big city or anything, and walking paths are hard to come by. So I can either walk around the center of town, where I'm likely to get hit by a car, or go to a more residential area.
The problem with the residential areas is that there are dogs. Not that I have anything against dogs, but it sort of disturbs my peaceful walk when I can't walk by any houses without a dog barking its head off at me.
The other day, I was walking through a residential area, on the sidewalk in front of a house, when a dog started racing down the lawn towards me, barking like crazy. At that point, I realized that this dog was not on a leash. I backed up a few steps, off the sidewalk, in what would probably have been a pretty meager attempt to not get mauled by this dog, if its owner hadn't come out and yelled at it.
Unfortunately, as I stumbled into the street, a car had to swerve and just barely avoided hitting me.
I was really freaked out by the whole thing. Seriously, if that car had hit me, Who would have been at fault? The car? The owner of the dog that didn't have a leash? Or me, for being stupid enough to dare to walk in front of a house that had a dog in it?
I swear to God, these 10,000 steps a day are going to kill me.
A dog rushing towards me barking would have sent my running too. I'm really not a fan, and I get a bit cross when the owners say "Don't worry Freddo doesn't bite". There's always a first time.
ReplyDeleteA dog rushing towards me barking would have sent my running too. I'm really not a fan, and I get a bit cross when the owners say "Don't worry Freddo doesn't bite". There's always a first time.
ReplyDeleteThree words: doggy pepper spray.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying the same thing (while walking our dog). Our area is rural, therefore no sidewalks, or shoulders beside the road. My complaint is two-fold. One, by the time it is cool enough to walk, you can't see us and two, they drive WAY TO FAST for the road. We can't get 'off' the road far enough and I always worry they won't see us.
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm the girl with the hi-vis vest and flashing lights on the dog leash. We talked about a hi-vis something for the dog, but decided she is low enough it won't help.
Good for you for walking anyhow. It seems silly to have to put in an effort to hit an arbitary goal but they say it is worth it. I have been trying for 5 miles, so that is 11-12K for me. Except Sunday's. Sunday I'm happy to break 5000.
Keep steppin'
MBee
The hi-vis for the dog can indeed help. The low-beam (what people generally drive on) illuminates 160 feet ahead. They can see even a low creature at that distance.
DeleteKeep in mind too though that invisible fences work really well for a lot of dogs. My dog will absolutely rush at someone walking by (we're trying to teach her not to, but its been very slow going as we didn't have her as a puppy). However, she will not even consider getting close to the invisible fence.
ReplyDeleteThe IF alone can encourage the rushing behavior (see the anon post further down for explanations). You pretty much would have to switch to a real fence to stop it.
DeleteAs someone who got nailed by a dog, all manner of protecting myself comes in. We have people who walk with long sticks, bats, etc. Spray is good also.
ReplyDeleteI'd also report those people because an aggressive dog like that is uncontrolled and a problem. I used to "do" dogs. My dog knew when to "give a warning" and when not too. He gave a stare, a low rumbling growl, dropped the head and the hair went up. The guy backed off. All that had to be done.
Please, people who say the dog doesn't bite are 99% of the time lying because if the dog isn't trained, they have NO clue how to read the dog, and interact with the dog long enough to know the signs of what they'll do and not do.
Besides, more people were afraid of me than him. Us performance show people put a lot of time and effort into those dogs and you'd be smarter to be wary of us than the dog.
So... people have dogs in houses with no fences or gates? That's dangerous for passers-by and for the dogs. Weird. Doesn't happen where I come from.
ReplyDeleteThat dog was probablly contained by an invisible fence. Rushing at people walking by is pretty much how all dogs with an IF behave. Dogs behind a regular fence do it too but not as much and not as forcefully as with an IF because of the unobstructed view the IF provides. Dogs with an IF tend to become much more reactive than with a traditional fence, and become more aggressive towards strangers. A recent study also found that dogs without previous aggression problems are more likely to attack family members when the IF is on.
ReplyDeleteThis basically explains why a dog can go super bonkers behind an IF when it otherwise wouldn't, and scare people more.
That dog was probablly contained by an invisible fence. Rushing at people walking by is pretty much how all dogs with an IF behave. Dogs behind a regular fence do it too but not as much and not as forcefully as with an IF because of the unobstructed view the IF provides. Dogs with an IF tend to become much more reactive than with a traditional fence, and become more aggressive towards strangers. A recent study also found that dogs without previous aggression problems are more likely to attack family members when the IF is on.
ReplyDeleteThis basically explains why a dog can go super bonkers behind an IF when it otherwise wouldn't, and scare people more.
In answer to your question (while I'm speculating) it would be 50/50 (driver/dog owner)
ReplyDeleteI had to google what an invisible fence was.
ReplyDeleteBut I would have jumped back into the road as well. I don't trust people who tell me their dogs are 'alright' especially when they're not on a leash. I'm not taking that chance on my body
The Medic Mind
Reactions usually happen before you can think, but if you are not actually faster than the dog, and have no immediate secure escape route (getting into your car, climbing a ladder, going into a friend's house)you are better off standing than trying to run. I knew a guy who ran from a dog, tripped and broke his arm and face, and was found unconscious in the street. His injuries did not include dog bites.
ReplyDeleteAs part of a community health assignment, I went on several ‘walks’ through this town, getting chased by various dogs on each excursion. Two of the dogs I sprayed with mace, and two I was forced to massage with my boots when they attacked my dog. The owner of the latter pair, a fat, tattooed, braless woman in a tank top, ran out and began shouting at me and warned me not to walk in her neighborhood again, screaming, “YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAN’ – WE GAWT LOOSE DAWGS ROUN’ HERE!!” as she dragged the dawgs back to her run-down rental. The neighbors, watching from their porches, did nothing. My dog and I limped home. The next time I set out, I carried a heavy wooden club, and soon found myself tailed by a police cruiser, because apparently, while it is all right to be attacked by feral animals and hillbillies in this town, it is not all right to protect yourself. Around and around the blocks, the officer in question circled me during my walk. I did not feel any safer for his presence.
ReplyDelete