Bear almost attacked a repairman.

[Bama4us]

The other day, we had an A/C repairman at our house, 2 actually. Bear was in the house, already amped up from the noise outside, when the guy asked me to go inside and turn it on. I turned on the A/C and was headed back out when the one guy met me at porch saying turn it off, turn it off. I hurried back in and Bear shot out the door with his squeaky ball in his mouth. He dropped the ball and barked at the guy on the porch, then started doing the happy dance, knowing this guy was safe. But the other guy popped up from behind the unit and Bear went wild. He ran around the corner and started barking and bouncing from side to side, moving closer every few bounces. Bear ignored my recall command, which usually is 80% reliable, and even ignored the squeaky ball recall that is 100% reliable. He stops chasing a squirrel with that one and always comes back. I jumped off the porch and got between them and told Bear to get in the house and he ran back on the porch. I'm not sure who was more scared, the repairman or me. Bear has never shown aggression towards anyone, not even strangers. It had to be that the one guy startled him by jumping up like that. He didn't even bother the guy standing at the porch. Bear stayed crated until they left, but the guy would call me on the phone, instead of coming to the door, if he needed anything the rest of the time they were there. Sorry so long, just wanted to share.

[debbiebrown]

it does sound like the other guy startled him, and maybe he was already in an excited state with you running back into the house. i know if i start running trying to get to something that needs immediate attention my dogs start barking and getting excited wondering whats going on.......i think alot of dogs might react to a surprise person appearing out of now where.....the best you can do is work more on getting the recall more like 99 or 100% or maybe even working on emergency downs.........in this case if your dog has not shown any aggression to people other than this surprise person, working on perfecting Obedience commands would be very helpful........i don't know how old Bear is, but certainly more conditioning with people wouldn't hurt either........

[UConnGSD]

Sounds like Bear just got startled, that's all. I personally wouldn't read it as all-out aggression. Similar thing happened with Wolfie once, also with a repairman -- my fault, I should have been less absent-minded, predicted the situation, preempted it. However, once I removed him from the repairman's presence and both the dog and the guy calmed down, Wolfie was all kissy-face with this guy when I introduced him properly this time. He went from wanting to eat him (from the repairman's POV) to licking him to death in a matter of 10 minutes or so.

PS: I read your headline as an actual bear almost attacking a repairman somewhere. Thought it was a news article

[Lilie]

I agree with debbiebrown. I had a male co-worker over during the day once to pick up something from hubby's shop. The co-worker was getting the tool, while I ran into the house to let Hondo out of his kennel and outside. Because I was in a hurry I rushed Hondo outside.

The co-worker was finished and standing by the back yard fence looking out towards our back pasture. Hondo came out the back door, saw the stranger and was startled. Hondo actually body slammed the fence between him and my co-worker (we have an electric line above the fence). Scared the hec out of my co-worker. Scared the hec out of Hondo. Scared the hec out of me!

[Bama4us]

I thought his recall was better than that. He'll chase after squirrels all the time, and when I use "chmeer" as a recall, he usually does once he chases them up the tree. Any other time he'll come right to me, that's why I said it was 80%. But one squeak from the ball and he turns in mid stride and makes a bee line to me, 100%! I can almost hear him say "squirrel, what squirrel?" Our ball playing sessions always end when Bear lays down wherever he catches the ball and wants me to come to him. I tell him to get in the house. He then runs and gets on the porch and waits for me to let him in. I'm glad that one did work!

[pfitzpa1]

Always a good wakeup call.

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by Bama4us

I thought his recall was better than that. He'll chase after squirrels all the time, and when I use "chmeer" as a recall, he usually does once he chases them up the tree. Any other time he'll come right to me, that's why I said it was 80%. But one squeak from the ball and he turns in mid stride and makes a bee line to me, 100%! I can almost hear him say "squirrel, what squirrel?" Our ball playing sessions always end when Bear lays down wherever he catches the ball and wants me to come to him. I tell him to get in the house. He then runs and gets on the porch and waits for me to let him in. I'm glad that one did work!

There is a term that my riding instructor uses. It's called 'Pushed over the fence'. That means there is a point when the horse (or dog) as reached his/her limit and is pushed beyond. At that point expect the unexpected. It all depends on their limit or threshold. A suprise or being startled tends to push that limit.

Think about if you were home alone, and someone (a friend) was hiding in your house. When you least expect it they jump out and scream "AHHHH!" What would be your first reaction? Drop to your knees? Flee? You really don't know until it happens, until you are pushed over your fence.

I'm sure you have that word or name that you use when your pup is pushing your limits. I use 'DOG!' That word means I'm dead serious. His action has caused a reaction in me. I don't use that word unless I'm deadly serious (chasing the horse in the pasture - failed recall). I save it for those special times when I can't bring his attention back to me. I only use it once - then I'm on my way to get him and he isn't going to be a happy camper when I do.