-- Ticia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Deborah Harrell wrote: > > --- Julia Thompson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > <snippage> > >>I *have* been prepared to kick a dog in the throat > >>once or twice, but it's > >>never come to that. The worst I ever had to deal > >>with that didn't also > >>involve a dog of my own, I managed to psych the > dogs out (but was prepared > >>to kick one in the throat and let Dan deal with > the other). > >>Ever make 2 Dobermans turn tail and run? >:)
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > > > > "Bow *down* before the Queen, her Supremeness > Alpha B..." ;} > > Only one Rottweiler, myself. > > > > It's Good To Be The Queen Maru :) > > > One Rottweiler, but I was scared s...less inside, > and sure he'd notice/ > smell it, and inches from a safe gate to hide > behind. > > How did you manage it, oh Queen B...? :) I suspect the Queen has answered for herself already; my particular tale revolves more around sheer fury than any coherent thought, and that dog *knew it.* Interestingly, he acknowledged me as "pack leader" and would listen to me far better than to his owner -- but then I too am an Alpha B, in RL. ;} <serious - and unless you want a lesson in horse/dog handling, skip this> Mostly it's attitude, reflected in dominant body language: "I'm leader here, NO QUESTION!" It works equally well on dogs, horses, and even middle-schoolers (junior high, ~ 6th -> 8th grades. The *real* trick is learning the difference between bullies (who will almost always back down before unshakable self-assurance), the truly scared (who split between needing leadership in a spooky situation, and lashing out in genuine panic -- the former need calm authority, the latter should not be confronted or punished unless safety absolutely requires it), and the dangerously psychotic (thankfully a tiny minority, but capable of explosive violence -- I *do not* confront these unless someone's life is in danger). Another category is the truly proud, who must be allowed some choice, preserving a degree of dignity; these I confront much more indirectly, if possible. Frex: a horse I had judged as "proud and dominant, but not mean" reared at me last weekend, and instead of backing off, I advanced into his space with "hard eyes" and a very stern voice, lashing the leadline back-and-forth (but not striking him); he promptly backed off (always leave an animal space to retreat!) and I ceased glaring at him, as well as adopting a relaxed body stance. Later, that same horse tested me more severely by rearing and advancing into _my_ space; I again used "hard eyes" and a severe voice as well as dominant body stance (facing squarely, chin and shoulders advanced, 'center-of-energy' raised from abdomen to chest), and struck him twice on the shoulder with a heavy leadline, allowing him to decide to back away immediately. I kept "hard eyes" on him until he turned his head away, thus showing a degree of submission. Later still, when he was pushing his owner around in his stall (she was trying to put feed in his bucket), I simply interposed my body in-between and refrained from any eye contact (I wasn't challenging him, just not permitting him to crowd the 'lower-ranking mare'); when he finally quit trying to get around me, I patted and praised him, looking at him with "soft eyes," then stepped away. [Incidentally, his owner tells me he has behaved much more politely this past week....I don't train horses as much as teach 'their' people to be "lead mare!" ;) ] Judging which category the animal/person fits is really a matter of experience, coupled with long observation of animal/human behavior. It becomes a "gut instinct," nearly always correct; of course, the times when it's *wrong* are when you get injured (only once so far for me; no more please, knock-on-wood!)! <end lecture> :) > Barely a Princess Niece Twice Removed Maru > Ticia ',:) Merely A High-Ranking Lady Of The List Maru ;) __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - File online, calculators, forms, and more http://tax.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
