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Giraffes,  I know why the dogs behaved the way they did.    There were subtle triggers.  Some people on here who know about dog behaviour will understand, and beable to pinpoint it to you.

I won't say anything.  I shall wait and see if anyone can work it out.    There is a difference between, knowing your dog and knowing and understanding  your dogs behaviour. 

Those incidences, can and will and does with other dog happen, untill people learn.

We all know what labs and retrievers are like around food.

I can say the second one is obvious.   There is a clue in my previous post.  Then it will stand out.  and people will say, "oh yeh"!!

heath63

Your colleagues golden retriever, is not really at fault.   It is one of the reasons I do not let people give my dog titbits.  Very predictable behaviour.  You see this happen all the time, dogs jumping up and or just taking food out people hands adults and children alike.

The golden retriever was going around people.  People gave the GR titbit from the food table.(big mistake) so it was expected to receive food.

Goes over to the child, sat down nicely, expecting to receive something, (like before)

GR stood up.  child put her hand up in the air, still holding the ice-cream.  Inadvertently encouraged the GR to jump up.  (everyone who knows dogs.  If someone has something or maybe nothing in their hands, and litt their hands, dogs will jump.  Unless told not to, before it actually jumps.

That's what happened the GR jumped up to take the ice-cream, ( because it has been given food.)and bit the girls had. 

This would not have happened if:

1)  people did'nt give it tit-bits. 

2) The dog kept out of the way, when food was around.

3) if child did'nt lift her hand up.

I bet you the Jack Russel was given tit-bits at home.  The JR may have thought the child was giving him some food. hence why it snatched.

If people understood dog behaviour.  I am sure a few people will be relate to this, I know who won't.

heath63

Licking ice cream, in front of a dog, after it has been given tit-bit.  Lifting hand up in the air with ice ceam init.    and that's not classed as teasing Mmmm.  I wonder.  The dog thinks it's being teased.

heath63

I understand you must have been terrified - German Shepherds (as most large breeds) can be very agressive when under pressure - - under pressure being the operative words. I'm glad you were safe in the end, and obviously your wellbeing is very important but has anyone spared a thought for the poor dog?

This dog sounds to me like its a typical unloved dog - probably kept outside at all times whilst at home, now in a field in unfamiliar surroundings, with a stranger near its territory ( and probably feared it was going to get a smack like its owners probably give it very regularly). 

I agree with some very good points in here regarding handling/approaching dogs. Mine comes with us camping but is never off the tether whether its on the lead or the ground peg and we always alert other campers to the fact he is a barker when approached but is placid when stroked.

I too have more of a problem with kids that run riot rather than dogs but thats another story.

Post edit: I too have had my head in a dogs jaws - had a gapping wound on my face when i was 7 and was hospitalised. Did it put me off dogs - no. Did it make me more wary of a dogs behaviour - yes. Don't condem all dog breeds before you understand them. If your not a dog lover then fine but kids need to be taught animals behaviours rather than having a lack of understanding of the animal.

Quote: Originally posted by gingerglamper on 01/6/2012

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Common sense is the main thing here, both with dogs and kids!

Jesus, dogs have their place in society and if you deliberately put the fear of god in your kids about dogs then that is a parental failure! You should be teaching them respect for dogs, ie do not approach unless the owner says it is ok to do so. Otherwise, way to go for passing your phobia on to your kids!

The retriever was being given tid bits in it's OWN garden! Of course he thought the ice cream was fair game!

Recently I came across a woman on a dogs allowed beach, shoo shooing dogs away because she apparently hated them, dogs thought that was an awesome game!

Across the bay was a dog free beach, guess what my advice was?!

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