Can't visit friend as her dog is racist

Dogs can be afraid of things they aren't exposed to regularly. My dog barks at black people and it's very embarrassing. I use a wheelchair and have been attacked by people's dogs. My husband was bitten quite badly all over his leg by someone's dog going for my throat as I'm at a lower level. The owner got away with it as the case was passed to a PCSO due to lack of resources and she said she didny understand why I had reported it to the police instead of knocking on to tell her that the dog was running loose. I did point out that the door was up 20 steps and the dog was biting me before I even went near the house. The PCSO was a dog lover and didn't believe it was that dog because it was so friendly - so it did only regularly attack me because of the wheelchair. Our dog is the complete opposite though and runs towards people in wheelchairs because he sees the chair first and thinks it's me. I've tried training him out of barking at black people (this only happens with people with very dark skin tone) but embarrassingly I have no friends or acquaintances who are black so I'm not sure what to do. I don't think this is a wind up sorry I have no advice.

Hi, our dog was similar and I spoke to a dog trainer. Apparently because dogs see in mostly monochrome. Eyes and especially teeth are more prominent and that can be seen as scary to some dogs.

Our son-in-law is half Jamaican and we encouraged him to give her treats, walk her etc... problem solved, she loves him now.

Although still not great with black dogs, we do similar treats when close to one. She's actually black herself out of interest.

My old neighbor had a dog named Baxter, a wonderful Rottweiler-Lab mix. The look of a Rottie but the temperament of a lab. He had a preference for African American women, according to my neighbor. I had a friend come to visit and the neighbor came to say hello, bringing Baxter along. He immediately went over and laid down at my friend’s feet and went to sleep.

I've known dogs that have had problems with dalmatians and black labs, both had had bad experiences with such dogs as pups, and a small rescue terrier who hated small children as he had been kicked by children at previous home. Current small (mainly) black dog didn't like a black piggy bank, with sticky up ears, it obviously looked like some weird small black animal, he had form with a dog statue in an animal rescue charity shop. But eventually learned that they were no threat and ignored them
I should have taken notice years ago of my relative's dog who was fine with most people, but first time she saw my then boyfriend hated him, should never have married him, dog was right

Late dog hated the meerkats, and would come running in to bark at them if she even heard the theme tune. And their Russian accent. Don't think he ever heard a person with a Russian accent so don't know if she would have done had she heard someone with obe

To be fair, most cats don't like other cats either!

all cats are racist
against all other species that are not cats

and they are right
they are the superior beings
all hail our feline overlords

The cats round my way are also quite racist.

My dog is also like this. And he hates people with babies in carriers. Really embarrassing

lol definitely not.
my Nan used to have a Chihuahua and he would bark at non white people walking past the garden gate and my cousins friend who is black, well the dog would go for his ankles and hang off the guys trousers

The pet corrector is a useful tool to get rid of unwanted dogs surrounding it on walks trying to get yours it shouldn’t be used in other contexts.

@CaliforniaCookie @AliceOlive as noctilucentcloud says... it adds more fear.

You view the compressed air spray as what it really is, a harmless can of air that makes a hissing sound.

The dog doesn't know that. For the dog it is a sudden unexpected and startling sound, it gives the dog a jump-scare.

Now think how many times you'd need a jump-scare, unexpected startle, before you started to feel quite jumpy, on edge, tense etc etc? Even though you were not physically harmed at any point.

We do not need any physical contact or pain to have an aversive experience - I usually use the analogy of being in a bank during an armed robbery - just the sight of a balaclava'd person pointing a gun at you would cause you extreme distress, fear, potentially causing all sorts of responses from you that you'd not be in control of, and possibly leaving you with lasting trauma. Even though at no point were you actually caused any physical pain nor was there any contact.

So back to the dog - they're feeling unsure, insecure, anxious, fearful.. and then something even MORE scary happens - it might stop the dog barking for a moment, which might lead you to think it has worked, but the barking/lunging/growling etc.. they're a symptom of the fear itself. That fear still remains, the corrector can hasn't done anything to change that.

There is of course a chance that the dog may then realise, for some other reason, that this person is not in fact scary. If so, great... but it is a chance. It is not a guarantee.

There is a much higher chance that you have made that fear worse to the point the dog no longer dares bark - so they may now bite without warning (dogs very frequently forget they can move away, and get 'stuck' as the scary thing approaches. People do this too!).

You may also have caused (via single event learning in some cases, just 1 aversive experience) a lasting fear of that particular noise, of the sight of a spray can, of similar noises or other events closely linked to this aversive event.

This is the problem with aversive methods.

you cannot know the damage it may do, until it is done.

Fixing things like a phobia of hissing/air noises that is quickly linked to similar sounds is a lengthy and difficult process. Figuring out that your dog has linked the aversive to some other event or person and now fears them as a result, could take a long time to resolve. Your dog could now bite people without any warning.

But hey... its just compressed air, it's harmless...

That makes sense. It’s fear rather than bad behavior. I’ve never had a dog responding out of fear.

Because if a dog reacts to certain characteristics like race or sex or beards etc, it's because they're wary and unsure. A pet corrector emits a noise dogs don't like, so if you use one when a dog is already wary all you're doing is reinforcing that yes that person is scary, you're right to be afraid and react. It'll increase the problem not solve it. Giving the dog lots of super yummy treats is far better because then the dog will associate whatever characteristic with good things.

I had never heard of it but just watched a video and don’t see the big problem, either. It just sounds like a short burst of noice to get their attention?

That being said, I think your friend should be the one to figure out how to correct the issue. I would offer to come around and introduce yourself in a controlled environment, bring a toy and a few approved treats and keep the first visit short.

My puppy is a nut when people come to visit. She can manage if they don’t give her attention when she’s behaving poorly, but most of them end up encouraging her with high pitched voices telling her she’s cute or whatever. Drives me mad! She pees all over the place when she’s especially excited.

We had a dog that used to bark at men with mustaches.

The cat which has adopted my mum is sexist. He likes women but not men.

He makes an exception for DH and DS as he is now used to them. But my mum says if a man comes into the house he runs away.

I can well believe that animals react in a similar way to other people or things that they perceive as a threat or different.

I knew a Bichon Frisé that was the same.

Because it’s a form of punishment / is unpleasant !

you want to return the dog to find people from other races a pleasant experience… walk in with a toy and have lots of treats in your pockets….

Before your arrival your friend needs to put a program on with mixed race people and make it pleasurable for the dog by stroking and giving treats (when it’s not barking !…. Give it a toy stuffed with peanut butter then put the channel on for example…. Don’t treat while it’s barking though as you’re treating it for bad behaviour then

My old Great dane used to go nuts up the window every time a lady in a burka walked past. I used to joke to my mates saying I think my dogs racist, didn’t know it was actually a thing. It was only this lady, everyone else he seemed fine with

You tell me! One of life's great mysteries.... But she could definitely tell.

How did it know if people were lesbians though?

The pet corrector will make the issue worse. Take high value treats - chicken or steak in small chunks or cocktail sausages. Best if you meet your friend outside the house, fall into step with her and walk back together. Dont look the dog in the eye to start or show any dominant behaviour. Praise everything, reward everything.

We did encounter such an individual once and the dog totally lost her shit. Luckily DH knew the old, fat lesbian quite well and was able to explain the dog's (ridiculously specific) prejudices. She found it hysterical.

Postmen/women are the baddies though. They are constantly trying to creep into your house. Luckily every time the dog realises what's up and barks and barks until they retreat having done no more than rattle the letterbox. Until they try again the next time.