Originally Posted by
Nerull
Dogs like this often have zero training. Don't rely on a dog having any idea that a person yelling 'sit' (or anything else) means anything at all.
I did allow that it ain't 100% A trained attack dog acting on it's handler's command is a whole different scenario. That is close to the OPs situation but I think this was just a mutt the owners like to stir up. Most trained attack dogs are kept behind a fence or are released from a leash
Originally Posted by
SPlKE
Adding "Sir" to the command makes all the difference in the world.
Hey, It works for me because it was the way I was trained to deal with dogs. I'll bet "Rufus! Sit" said in the same tone of voice, utter command with no pleading or fear, would be equally effective.
Originally Posted by
WhyFi
Whether or not they understand the words, they understand the intent. ahsposo's point, which is spot on, is that dog's recognize and respond to confidence. They are, by nature, social animals and the millenia of breeding has only reinforced the behavior of responding to a perceived hierarchy. This isn't to say that you can ride around and, like Beastmaster, have dogs do your bidding, but you can at least make them pause while processing "who the hell is this new Alpha?"
Exactly. It never fails to surprise me how it works. You go from being prey one minute and suddenly you're maybe one of the masters.
If all else fails a squirt of water from your water bottle will confuse them too.