Be like a tree

Recently, I took Venus, one of my dogs, for an early-morning walk on an empty beach. When people are around, I keep her on the leash – not because she is aggressive, but because she would eagerly greet people, and not everyone interprets a friendly dog's approach as such.

People who know dogs and their body language will instantly see that she means no harm, but to people who fear dogs (as do many people in Tobago) the first instinct, sometimes even if an approaching dog is leashed, is to pick up something (to pelt or hit at the animal) in self-defence.

As absolutely no one was in sight, I let Venus off the leash. She stayed close to me, trotting, sniffing and sometimes rolling in the sand. At one point I moved off to examine some small pieces of coral. I had not turned for as much as a minute when I heard a strange noise behind me.

I turned and, to my surprise, saw a large man (who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere) confronting Venus, making loud guttural sounds and brandishing one of his slippers, which he then pelted at her (and missed).

His semi-crouched stance (positioned so that he could pick up objects from the sand to pelt at her) possibly reminded Venus of a game that she and I play – where we stand before each other, I crouch down, she crouches down, I lunge forward while playfully waving my hands (as though to try and touch or catch her) and she darts away and starts racing around, coming towards me and then nimbly darting away, in a playful you-can’t-catch-me manner.

My instant observation of the scenario told me that Venus possibly thought the man was playing "our game" – crouching down and flinging his arms out – but he was doing it not to playfully touch her, but to hit her, as he perhaps perceived her crouching and darting in circles as "attack mode."

Thankfully the "weapons" he could access around him were lightweight (no rocks, no large pieces of driftwood). However, his fear was such that had he got hold of her, or had the items in his hands been heavy, I doubt he would have stopped hitting.

I moved forward quickly to intervene, but seconds felt like ages as the unfolding scenario seemed to slip into extreme slow motion. I called to the man to stop and that Venus was not attacking him, but he was deaf to my voice. I called to Venus (normally very obedient), but she had frozen, perhaps suddenly aware that the man was not playing.

Finally, noticing me coming, she ran to me and I held her, thankful that the situation had not escalated further.

The man’s actions were possibly the result of fear bred in him since childhood. It would have helped for him know in the moment that

(a) Venus was not attacking

(b) pelting at, hitting and/or,shouting at a dog is not "the way" and, in fact, can sometimes make the situation worse and

(c) there are things that one can do instead, if ever afraid when approached by an unknown dog

Unfortunately, I did not get to discuss these things with the man. as he had stormed up the beach, away from us.

He may not be reading this article, but just in case...for anyone who may feel fearful when approached by the average unknown dog, here are a few basic tips to help you exhibit body language that can appear non-threatening to the dog:

1. Do not run or make sudden movements. In what is referred to as "Be like a tree" in some literature – stand straight and still, arms relaxed at your sides, hands in loose fists. Allow the dog to sniff you. Once it determines you are not a threat, it will eventually move away.

2. Avoid direct eye contact, to appear non-confrontational.

3. Do not shout or scream. If you must speak, do so very softly and gently (not baby talk, which, apparently, can terrify some dogs).

4. Turn your side to the dog. Do not face him/her head on.

There are many articles online, with guidance on this subject. Please google and read them, especially if you fear dogs. And if you have children, let them experience from an early age how to safely, respectfully and kindly interact with and enjoy dogs and other animals.

Knowing a few basic tips can benefit all involved – human and animal.