While backpacking on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail a few weeks ago, Sparky, our faithful companion who joins us on all our hiking, backpacking and running adventures, met a German Shepherd on the trail. This dog was huge, probably outweighing Sparky by 50 pounds, and I only hesitantly say the dog was leashed because, technically, a long lead was attached to his collar, but nobody was holding the tail end. Behind the leash walked a pixie-sized, middle-aged woman who, upon first glance, looked like she only had enough physical bulk to control a Chihuahua, not a 100-plus pound German Shepherd.
I was right. As soon as the German Shepherd saw Sparky, he bolted toward him at full speed, barking, growling and baring his teeth. The pixie screamed and tried to grab her dog’s leash, but if she hadn’t immediately let go, that dog was so fast and powerful, he would have been flying her like a kite down the trail.
As the dog came barreling towards us, I heard my calm-in-the-face-of-danger husband warn, “Uh oh, this isn’t good.”
Within two seconds, the dog had Sparky in a canine chokehold. The pixie-woman was still shrieking, trying to pull her dog off, but her efforts were about as effective as if she were trying to pull an elephant out of quicksand. Her dog was seriously in control.
And Sparky, to his credit, “cried Uncle.” Rather than risk potential dismembering at the teeth of one of his fellow species, he wisely went limp, rolled over and instantly submitted to this untoward threat of canine violence.
“He’s not a mean dog, he’s just young!” cried the pint-sized lady, whose valiant efforts to control her dog went completely unnoticed by her dog.
That was probably true, but what I was really wondering was, “Lady, why on earth do you have THAT DOG?”
Before I could further consider the striking incompatibility of this dog/woman combo, I heard a scuffling noise and realized with horror that another German Shepherd was approaching, pulling behind him a short-statured man who was holding the leash.
Good Lord! Where were all these big dogs and petite people coming from? We were several miles from civilization and if something happened, it was not going to be easy to get help – for man or beast.
Fortunately, Sparky wasn’t hurt. But after being violently pinned down by a big, strong teenage bully of a dog, I wouldn’t have blamed Sparky if he ran away like a scaredy-dog the next time he saw a German Shepherd.
This is how I know my dog doesn’t hold a grudge: because when the big dog let go and allowed Sparky to get up and shake himself off, Sparky immediately saw the second German Shepherd coming up the trail. But instead of running away, Sparky’s ears perked up, his mouth broke into a goofy dog grin, and he started to move toward this new dog with unmistakable body language that asked “So, do YOU want to be my friend?”
Man, I would have fled as fast as I could.
I can’t claim to understand the unwritten rules of dog hierarchy, dominance, and behavior. But from my perspective, as I gathered my wits after what seemed like a close call, I was glad that Sparky wasn’t hurt and that he appeared to suffer no lasting emotional trauma.
I love my brave, dumb dog.
4 Comments
Did you know why Sparky acted like he did with the second dog, especially after what happened with the first? And, you were right to be protective. Pennsylvania has a leash law, and everybody must have a leash on their dogs at all times. Most importantly, if an owner knows that she isn’t capable of controlling her dog, than she shouldn’t own that particular dog in the first place. As witnessed earlier, the owner didn’t have any force or control over her dog, and in the end, the dog bit another dog. If it was a child, than legal action would have to be taken. I’m just relieved that nobody got hurt during the process.
Good point. I think because we were hiking in a remote area these people were not expecting to run into another dog, so that’s why they were being lax. But you’re right. Those dogs were way too big for them to handle and if they were vicious, it could have been a very dangerous situation. I think Sparky acted like he did because he is so friendly and loves to meet other dogs. What a dopey, wonderful dog. Thanks so much for your comment Alicia!
Did you know why Sparky acted like he did with the second dog, especially after what happened with the first? And, you were right to be protective. Pennsylvania has a leash law, and everybody must have a leash on their dogs at all times. Most importantly, if an owner knows that she isn’t capable of controlling her dog, than she shouldn’t own that particular dog in the first place. As witnessed earlier, the owner didn’t have any force or control over her dog, and in the end, the dog bit another dog. If it was a child, than legal action would have to be taken. I’m just relieved that nobody got hurt during the process.
Good point. I think because we were hiking in a remote area these people were not expecting to run into another dog, so that’s why they were being lax. But you’re right. Those dogs were way too big for them to handle and if they were vicious, it could have been a very dangerous situation. I think Sparky acted like he did because he is so friendly and loves to meet other dogs. What a dopey, wonderful dog. Thanks so much for your comment Alicia!