Johnnytheboy wrote:
Or locking your house or car?
Exactly . What dcb probably doesn't understand ( from the farm dog thingy) is that he expects all dogs to be like the poodle down the park - these dogs he's complaining about are working dogs ,on their own home turf - he's the intruder .And unlike humans where we have several stages -dogs are like logic states - on or off .(friend or foe) .Has any one from your group even tried to make friends with these dogs ,or just treated them as vermin - don't know if I have mentioned my dad's job as a postman . At first all dogs on his round were hostile , then slowly but surely he won them round .In twelve years he was bitten once - a scratch ,as soon as the dog attacked ,those friendly to dad struck and the attacker had to be rescued .
You and dogs have a problem - problems are caused by differences on both sides . Dogs can't talk to pass out their grievances . But their body language says a lot .
As said -dogs are social animals - they approach , ( especially the farm ones ,who are part wild) -looking to see if you are friend or foe .
Suggest if you are a serious walker ,that you contact some dogs group to see how you should approach a strange dog ,and appear as a friend .
But -
Then we get back to -
dcbwhaley wrote:
botach wrote:
-carry some tit bits - makes for a better understanding between dogs and man .
That is a bit like saying "Carry a few gold watches to give to muggers, then they won't have to beat you up"

I rather resent having to protect myself from dogs in that way, just as I would resent having to wear a bullet proof vest if people were allowed to go round discharging firearms in public.
Again ,you're giving animals powers as of humans -

They're not like us . There's two ways to befriend a nasty dog - and I find that the through the stomach is most effective ,given that most dogs treated as these won't get treats ( not chicken ,but a packet of 77p chew sticks,) break them up-throw them a bit ,and they look on you as a friend ( in doggy terms a higher order dog ,as you provide food).
And once you're accepted as a higher order animal - they'll respect you ,and the aggression might just stop .
It's called animal physiology( or the way to walk through wild dogs and not get bitten) .
Try it -Who knows -you might even have a farm pack wanting to go walkies,and wanting you to throw sticks for them .