Calling all dog owners
-
- Posts: 218
- Joined: Mon May 02, 2022 12:31 pm
- Location: Gard
Calling all dog owners
I've been invited to my neighbours for NYE. They have two large dogs who ( to me at least ) seem quite well behaved. However my neighbour happened to mention in passing yesterday that one of the dogs had recently bitten his mother.
I'm a cat person, dogs naturally make me nervous. I'm assuming that they won't be allowed in the house but that still means that I have to cross the courtyard which is normally their safe space.
What should I do, or more importantly what shouldn't I do? My instinct would be to keep my hands in my pockets but I'm going to be carrying gifts. Do I avoid eye contact? Move slowly or purposefully? Should I try talking to them?
Please help, I'm frankly terrified.
I'm a cat person, dogs naturally make me nervous. I'm assuming that they won't be allowed in the house but that still means that I have to cross the courtyard which is normally their safe space.
What should I do, or more importantly what shouldn't I do? My instinct would be to keep my hands in my pockets but I'm going to be carrying gifts. Do I avoid eye contact? Move slowly or purposefully? Should I try talking to them?
Please help, I'm frankly terrified.
-
- Posts: 565
- Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 11:51 am
- Location: 23 la Creuse
-
- Posts: 3942
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:34 pm
- Location: Lausanne (and sometimes Suffolk)
Calling all dog owners
Our postie used to have a pocket full of dog biscuits. Most dogs greeted him every day in anticipation of a treat - not to attack.
-
- Posts: 1013
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2022 7:08 pm
- Location: Dordogne
Calling all dog owners
I'd say move normally. If you encounter them, I'd smile normally and speak to them happily - Coucou toi - in your happy tone. Moving along as you do so. Having a couple of treats seems like a good idea too, but if you are carrying gifts, that may be difficult, unless they are all contained in a shopping bag and you have one hand to fetch the treats out of a coat pocket. I'd only give the treats if they are actually near to you. And you never really know... some dogs don't really like store bought treats. Mine didn't.
To be honest, I'd ask the neighbors in advance, if they could greet you upon arrival, just in case the dogs are protective of your entrance to their property.
To be honest, I'd ask the neighbors in advance, if they could greet you upon arrival, just in case the dogs are protective of your entrance to their property.
- Blaze
- Posts: 4287
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:06 pm
- Location: Ille et Villaine (35)
Calling all dog owners
Dogs don't normally bite people unless provoked in some way - your neighbour's mother might have annoyed or upset the dog. For example, it can be risky grabbing a dog by the scruff of the neck - dogs can whip round as if to bite, even if most (but not all) stop short (they don't like being grabbed). Some dogs don't like being disturbed if they're lying down. If you go to stroke a dog and it turns its head away, it's a clear message "Leave me alone please".
Dogs can tell if someone is nervous so your best bet is to just ignore them when you cross the courtyard. You can sing if you feel like it, or just talk out loud to yourself !! Avoid looking at them and don't rush but walk purposefully. Don't be tempted to give them any sort of treat, particularly if you don't know them.
And don't wear a hat !!
Try to relax, but if you're really worried, it would be best to tell your neighbours you're nervous of dogs. We wouldn't be in the slightest bit offended if someone said that to us - we'd far rather know.
Dogs can tell if someone is nervous so your best bet is to just ignore them when you cross the courtyard. You can sing if you feel like it, or just talk out loud to yourself !! Avoid looking at them and don't rush but walk purposefully. Don't be tempted to give them any sort of treat, particularly if you don't know them.
And don't wear a hat !!
Try to relax, but if you're really worried, it would be best to tell your neighbours you're nervous of dogs. We wouldn't be in the slightest bit offended if someone said that to us - we'd far rather know.
Last edited by Blaze on Sun Dec 31, 2023 10:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 218
- Joined: Mon May 02, 2022 12:31 pm
- Location: Gard
Calling all dog owners
Thanks all, the neighbours know I'm nervous and that I've never been around dogs. I suspect when I arrive I'll be escorted across the courtyard but, if not, I'll try and ignore them. Certainly I won't be extending a hand in any direction.
- Blaze
- Posts: 4287
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:06 pm
- Location: Ille et Villaine (35)
Calling all dog owners
Hope all goes well, Antonia ....
I've just made a couple of amendments to my post .... some of it was gibberish
I've just made a couple of amendments to my post .... some of it was gibberish
-
- Posts: 311
- Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2022 10:35 pm
- Location: Berkshire/Gard
-
- Posts: 218
- Joined: Mon May 02, 2022 12:31 pm
- Location: Gard
Calling all dog owners
Well I was worrying unnecessary. The courtyard gates were open when I arrived with the dogs sequestered in one of the far garages. It was only after the meal that they were allowed back into the house where they behaved impeccably. They were naturally curious about the stranger in their midst and I remained seated at the dining table while they'd checked me out. Later we all managed to walk out of the courtyard together so the dogs could make a quick call of nature.
Don't think I'll be volunteering to walk them anytime soon but I'm really happy with how our first meeting went and how understanding my neighbours were.
Thank you all once again for your words of support, without then I probably wouldn't have had the courage to go.
Don't think I'll be volunteering to walk them anytime soon but I'm really happy with how our first meeting went and how understanding my neighbours were.
Thank you all once again for your words of support, without then I probably wouldn't have had the courage to go.
-
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:18 pm
- Location: Loire Atlantique