Close encounter with an XL bully.. Well that has put the wind up me.

[DanianaBanana]

Every few months I go for a root touch up and trim with a really nice stylist who works from home. He and his husband have one of those XL bully dogs.

When I first started going he asked if I was OK with dogs and I said of course, I love them (bare in mind this was before all the news coverage of attacks). The dog would greet me as I came in and I'd give him a fuss. He'd jump up which was a bit much as he's huge but he was always really friendly.

After a few times I noticed every time I went "Fido" was in his crate and "John" said he thought it best as he'd been snapping at other dogs on walks and being a bit iffy. He took him to the vet to rule out anything health related.

I was there yesterday getting my hair done, John's DH must have left Fido loose after a walk as when we came out of the salon room he was in the hallway infront and came over to say hello.

He was happily wagging his tail and jumped up. I think this was where I messed up.

Given his height we were pretty much face to face and I couldn't help but notice how striking his eyes were so I was remarking what beautiful eyes he had whilst staring him straight in them.

His temperament shifted. I can't articulate it very well but but he stiffened up, his ears went back and the excitement switched to what I'd call an intense stare. I felt really nervous.

John clocked the change straight away and dragged him down by the collar and quickly shut him in the kitchen telling him "no, I don't trust you mate"

My legs were like jelly walking back to the car and I felt quite shaken up for a couple of hours after about what a close call it could have been.

I'm wondering if my fear is justified or whether you think perhaps I've let the recent news coverage colour my view too much?

Also, for anybody that knows about dog behaviour - do you think my hunch is right and that the dog would have been unsettled by the eye contact? In hindsight I'm sure I read somewhere that you shouldn't do that.

Regular poster but NC incase people think I'm being a total wimp.

I saw a video explaining the best way to get a dog to release its bite on you/another person is to try to use something to restrict its oxygen. So using a lead /collar around its neck, a scarf perhaps, or if nothing available, use your arm to get it in a chokehold (probably not possible if it's yourself being bitten). You're not trying to kill the dog, just to pass out so you can escape. I don't know how accurate it is but will have this in mind if I'm ever unfortunate enough to be in that situation, or a child is etc.

some friends from ages back had two Jack Russell's that occasionally fought each other, and they'd put them both underwater in the water trough until they let go. I think its not necessarily until they pass out but until they need to take a big breath in. Happy to be corrected though 😆

Just get a new hairdresser.

Do you honestly want to rely on "John" remembering to put the dog in a crate to ensure you're not mauled or killed?

What if the dog goes for John? You've said you don't think he could control the dog in those circumstances?

It's not difficult to find a new hairdresser. Surely personal safety is more important than some minor inconvenience around explaining how you like your highlights done to a new hairdresser?

i wonder if vets are more wary of the bully breeds now.

I wouldn't go back op.
Fwiw My collie cuddles up and gazes into my eyes, I gaze back and touch noses. But he is my dog. Maybe different with a stranger's and not.a breed to take a chance with tbh.

Also, many dog walkers wont touch them so if they have working owners they are left home alone all day with no stimulation which is not going to help an already volatile temperament.

Thanks for the tip about the spray!

I'm definitely not going back there. I was referring to other people's dogs when out and about when I asked how I could defend myself in future if needs be.

I’d have disappeared the moment I saw it! They should have been far more careful and not let the dog anywhere near you.

I was at the vets recently and the vet came out being dragged by this massive bully type dog on a lead. I heard him say to the owner he's certainly a live wire and it made me think this as well.

TBH it sounds like something has happened with that dog and they're well aware it's a nasty piece of work and have put their own happiness as dog owners over the wellbeing of any of the safety of everyone that bloody thing encounters.

Don't go back and tell them it's because of the dog - they need to know.

Non-friendly dogs don't like eye contact and neither do nervous dogs. But, a well adjusted dog (your average cockerpoo, for example) will have no issue. Either way, not being able to maintain eye contact is not a good characteristic for a dog.

I had very similar with my friends great dane. I didn't look at him but his body language was explicitly clear that he wasn't happy.

I got out of there quick smart.

A week later the dog attacked her partner.

I am a dog lover and owner but this would frighten me and I wouldn't return.

Making eye contact with dogs is fine, any well trained dog will have been taught that making eye contact is positive. It’s how a dog checks in for instructions, and how bonds are built. However, staring for a prolonged time might not go down well, as my MIL found out when she decided to drop down on her knees and great a JRT by staring it in the eyes (it took offence and bit her nose!).

In this case the dog actually doesn’t sound particularly well trained. It should absolutely not be jumping on anyone, and should be able to tolerate a person looking at it. It doesn’t sound as though you were intensely staring at it.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the owner is actually a little scared of the dog and felt safer putting it away as he didn’t feel as though he was in control of the situation. Very sensible idea to not go back again.

should absolutely not be jumping on anyone, and should be able to tolerate a person looking at it. It doesn’t sound as though you were intensely staring at it

um she specifically said she was staring into its eyes.

My friend has just got a ridgeback XL bully - never met it but already know it will smell my fear so l won't be going round any more.
Poor you Op that sounds scary af.

I went to babysit for a friend. The baby was upstairs and l was shown the kitchen and was going to make a cup of tea later on.
They had a large collie dog which seemed quite friendly towards me whilst my friends were there. I sat in a room reading my book with the collie opposite.
After a bit l thought I'd have a look at the baby and make a cup of tea.
When l went to get up, the dog immediately sat up and growled at me, the hair on his neck stood up . No way was it going to let me move. I couldn't move all night.

When my friends came back dog was friendly again. I suppose he was protective of his home.
I didn't tell my friends. But dogs owners don't always know how their dog will react.

Eye contact or intensely staring?

@Frankley It would be wise to tell them - if the baby had cried and you couldn’t leave the room that could have become serious!

All these posts about the OP getting her dog-behaviour wrong!!

she was there for a fucking haircut, not dog behaviour 101 🤦‍♀️

This must have been so scary. Earlier this week I was walking home from town and a man was walking his dog, the rat on a lead type and as I walked towards them the man took the dog as far as he could away from me but the dog was snarling and trying to lunch at me. That was scary enough.

Don't go back. The dog will be uncontrollable when it snaps.

Even your own. I always thought that with your own dog, eye contact was a sign of a strong connection ?

DH has refused to treat them for around a year now as have other practices that we know.

It is absolutely disgusting and insane how many posters are saying don't make eye contact with a dog as it will attack.
Is that really true? How can dog owners have these or any dog as a pet when they truly know it means all other humans who are terrified or just normal who wouldn't know this ridiculous rule.
Of course you look at anything coming towards you yet dog owners take this as another reason to blame victims.
It's getting to the point no dogs should be allowed to be kept as pets at all if it means the general public are all supposed to experts in managing dog behaviour. Ffs get a pet for your own house don't take it to work or inflict it on all outdoor or even indoor places.

Same here locally.

All those women with young children that popped up all over social media claiming their dog was a sweetheart never had one over the age of one year old.

They are going to get a horrible shock when those dogs hit the age of 2/3 years old. Once they hit full maturity their personality changes rapidly and they become extremely unpredictable/aggressive.

It is absolutely disgusting and insane how many posters are saying don't make eye contact with a dog as it will attack.
Is that really true? How can dog owners have these or any dog as a pet when they truly know it means all other humans who are terrified or just normal who wouldn't know this ridiculous rule.

It’s bollocks that people with badly trained or inherently aggressive dogs tell themselves. It was someone else’s fault their baby wanted to rip their face off. Like the ‘alpha dog’ bullshit that still gets peddled.

Unless there is a serious issue with the dog, someone looking into their eyes is not going to instantly provoke the animal.