And then there are the people who leave the car window too far down…

[JoZ]

I just had a bit of a scare. Let me preface it by saying I’m not really a dog person, and I’m a little bit afraid of dogs. Some dogs. A good friendly easy-going dog, no problem. Dogs minding their own business? No problem.

I just pulled into the parking lot of the little store in my neighborhood. Luckily I happened to notice the half-open window and the edge of an ear when I started to open my door, otherwise I would have been even more startled. Because as I put a foot to the ground, a medium size cattle type dog LUNGED through the window until 2/3 to 3/4 of its body was hanging out. The dog was barking and growling, with teeth bared and lips pulled back from its teeth. I slunk away leaning against my car hood.

So now my ignorant questions are – (1) I’m friendly to animals, so I was saying something quiet and friendly when I got out of the car, I think I said “is that a doggie ear?” So is it a mistake to say something to a dog in a car? Did saying something trigger this, or could it have? (2) had I been stupid enough to ignore the warnings, or if I hadn’t been able to slink away out of reach, is there any doubt that this would have resulted in a bite? I know plenty of dogs that are all bark, and sometimes it can look worse than it is, but this looked downright vicious. You’ll have to take my word for that. And (3) this is the one that really intrigues me in a nervous sort of way – what on earth kept the dog in the car? Nearly all of it was out of the car and headed for me! Before I started slinking away, it couldn’t have been more than a foot from me. It does make me wonder though what a dog person’s take on the whole experience would’ve been.

[twelvegates]

I’ve always found that dogs in cars can be extremely protective of their property. I especially recall a toy parti-poodle who looked and acted like a rabid fruit bat when she was alone in the car and approached by anyone other than her owner.

[kdow]

Hrm. None of my dogs have really been like that about the car, so I dunno about what triggered it, etc. Sounds scary, even for a dog person. However, my parents have a cocker spaniel who Will Not jump out of the car, even if the windows are wide open (well, probably if the car was on fire or something, but you know, normal circumstances she knows she is supposed to stay IN THE CAR) and my dad taught her that basically just by repeatedly praising when she was waiting patiently in the car (from a gradually increasing distance away from the car, not inside the car) and telling her ‘no’ firmly when she’d start getting ready to make a break for it. (Not meanly, just firm Dog Voice Of God, you know?)

Wasn’t a magical thing, obviously, but it was basically just patience and consistency. And she’s been very very good at it with no hiccups for the last 10+ years. So I suppose someone could teach a dog to stay in the car even if it was getting all protective and “this is my car”?

ETA: I like to take my dogs places in the car, and frequently do, but honestly if I had a dog that did lose it’s mind like that (and you can observe from a distance, you can see how your dog is handling things) I wouldn’t take that dog in the car with me unless absolutely necessary. In addition to being a risk - dog freaks out, might bite someone or jump out and get hurt or something - it just doesn’t seem like a good time for the dog, getting that wound up.

[S1969]

Yes, lots of dogs are very protective in their cars, even if they are nice otherwise. And some dogs are just not nice - so it’s not necessarily anything that you did. I think the dog stayed in the car because that was its safe place and property. The snarl/snap was to keep you away, not to actually seek you out to attack.

I might have been inclined to wait for the owner and bitch them out, but maybe it wouldn’t be worth it…if they weren’t worried about issues with their dog in the first place they might be like talking to a brick wall.

Well, note to self (and everyone reading this)…double-check who you are parking next to. I admit that I never even really think about it but it’s a good lesson to do a quick assessment before getting out of your car just in case.

[Casey09]

I’ve had some dogs that were very protective acting with people walking by the car, but if the doors were open and people were reaching in the car, they were fine. Dogs can be very weird. I meant someone with a cattle dog that would not jump out of the back of his pick up truck. However, he was very clear that the dog didn’t like strangers and you couldn’t try to pet him. One man once apparently insisted that all dogs love him and got bit. I never attempt to pet any dog in a vehicle, because oftentimes they are protective. This is also the problem I see with some people getting extremely over zealous about dogs left in vehicles. On a hot day, I’d break the window and risk it. I’m around a lot of dogs in training situations, and a man told me once that if you’re around enough dogs enough of the time, you’re going to get bit. I’m a dyed in the wool dog person though. However, on Facebook I see a lot of people that seem to over react to dogs left in cars, even on days that aren’t hot. That to me is a recipe for a dog bite.
It definitely sounds like they needed to roll the window up farther. I don’t think you did anything wrong - I wouldn’t be surprised that a cattle dog acted that way. It definitely could have resulted in a bite, but it doesn’t necessarily surprise me that he didn’t jump out. He was concerned about protecting his car. You backed off, so he isn’t going to leave the car to chase you down. He accomplished his goal. He wasn’t necessarily out for blood, he just wanted to keep strangers away from the car. Honestly, no matter how much you socialize a dog, dogs of certain breeds hit an age and they get suspicious of strangers and reserved. The socialization is very important, but many adult cattle dogs are never going to be cuddly or very tolerant of strangers.

[Field_of_Dreams_Mini]

My old Shep/Husky absolutely LOVED my grandfather- but the day Pap stuck his head in the window of my sister’s car, he went after him, defending my sister. And Sarge LOVED people.

[toady123]

This is a total pet peeve of mine. Why bring your dog if it spends the whole time lunging and freaking out. If your dog can’t be trusted, don’t bring them or leave them in the bloody car unattended.

I have the opposite problem. My dogs will mooch anyone who passes for a scratch or visit with their ‘come hither’ eyes. They LOVE window visitors. I really don’t leave them unattended, or stay within eyesight. I am paranoid someone will take them cause their are so darn cute :).

[Calamber]

You did nothing wrong except talk to and interact with the dog, hopefully there will not be a next time but don’t make eye contact and remove yourself from that area as quickly as possible. That is why I leave my dogs at home when it is hot, even if I am only running into a store for a few minutes and they are in shade. The Chesapeake would scare the heck out of me. The reason the dogs stayed in the car was that was what it was protecting, fortunately it did not fall out of the car. I pulled up to a little restaurant in Virginia once and a Rottweiler was in the back of a truck and jumped out to greet me. Thankfully he/she was not on the attack but it was nerve wracking for a few moments. If you saw the owners definitely tell them the dog attacked outside of the window, they might be clueless.

[Bicoastal]

I’m sorry you were served such a fright! That’s irresponsible and risky of the owner. Even a ‘dog person’ would have been scared.

[QUOTE=JoZ;8290326]

(1)Did saying something trigger this, or could it have? [/QUOTE]
No, you speaking to the dog didn’t trigger it. Your presence did, and you can’t help that!

@JoZ;8290326

(2) had I been stupid enough to ignore the warnings, or if I hadn’t been able to slink away out of reach, is there any doubt that this would have resulted in a bite?

Maybe, maybe not. This dog probably didn’t want to bite you. He wanted you further away from his car, and he achieved that.

@JoZ;8290326

(3)what on earth kept the dog in the car?

He was protecting the car. See answer to #2.

[ilmjumper]

We don’t leave our dogs in the car alone anymore, even when it’s cool out because people are so zealous on dogs in cars (had a lady screaming at me one time for leaving the dogs in the car…even though the car was running…and the ac was on…and it was 65 out that day) and honestly, if someone broke a window to “save” my dog…he’d probably bite them for attacking his car. He’s very protective of his cars. Case in point, we ran in to pick up food one time, standing in line (it’s cool out, car is running, air is on) and we notice that a group is standing around the car parked next to us and Zig is barking up a storm at them. So what do they do? Start talking to the giant, barking dog…one person even tapped on the window. DH ran out there and Ziggy was so mad he had crapped on the seat. He’s also eaten a car seat before, so yeah…no dogs alone in our cars anymore!

[Preposterous_Ponies]

Agreed with the posters - while talking to the dog wasn’t really ideal, it should not trigger a reaction like that. Dogs do tend to be very protective of their cars.

I try not to leave my dog in the car, but one time I had pumped gas and the pay at pump didn’t work so I had to pop into the store. I crackked the windows and dashed in to pay. When I came back the woman had her arm IN MY CAR. I asked her what she was doing and her response was “She looked so sad!” I told her she was lucky she wasn’t bitten and drove away before I said some real nasty things.

[shiloh]

I don’t think you did anything wrong by speaking to the dog - basically, you were being friendly and also letting him know that you were there. I would have reacted the same way you did - slinking away. Well, I probably would have been on my hands and knees weeing myself :lol:- dogs scare me, especially dogs actling like that.

A former BM of mine had two absolutely bat-crap crazy Rotties that she would bring to the barn. There they would rush people, try to bite them, try to attack the horses and chase both people and horses - it was a horror show. People begged her not to bring them there because they were terrified of them - because they were terrifying. They had me trapped in the grain room one day standing on top of the bins, screaming at her to call them off while she laughed at me, called me a chicken, said they were fine and just to pet them and walk past. Ummmmm…no, I’d like to keep my hands, face and other body parts. The BO finally told her not to bring them but she did anyway but would leave them in her car. There they would crouch down on the floor and wait for the unsuspecting to park next to her vehicle and then leap up and try to get thru the windows, all the while barking, growling,snarling and slavering. If I didn’t know better I would have thought that they thought it was funny. BM thought it was hilarious - til she nearly lost her job over it.

Yeah, JoZ - I feel your pain…

[vacation1]

Asshole dog that wasn’t quite bold enough to follow through. I don’t buy that it was guarding the car. How could it have established a territory outside the car, to the extent that OP’s car and foot violated it, when it spent the whole episode inside its owner’s vehicle? I’ve seen lots of dogs be hyper or aggressive when people got near a car they were in, but lunging out the window is nutcase behavior.

Story reminds me of a National Geographic photo

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b6/a5/42/b6a54231ba80a0279f1d908e0f802eb0.jpg

[hosspuller]

Sometimes it’s just the Dog… I have bite marks on the inside of my truck door. The dog saw a man walking by 20 feet away. She wanted him so bad that she was biting the door to get out. I was standing outside a few feet from the truck. Other people had walked past at the same distance and she didn’t react. Sight, scent or vibe … ?? sets them off.

[kdow]

[QUOTE=ilmjumper;8291387]
We don’t leave our dogs in the car alone anymore, even when it’s cool out because people are so zealous on dogs in cars (had a lady screaming at me one time for leaving the dogs in the car…even though the car was running…and the ac was on…and it was 65 out that day) and honestly, if someone broke a window to “save” my dog…he’d probably bite them for attacking his car. He’s very protective of his cars. Case in point, we ran in to pick up food one time, standing in line (it’s cool out, car is running, air is on) and we notice that a group is standing around the car parked next to us and Zig is barking up a storm at them. So what do they do? Start talking to the giant, barking dog…one person even tapped on the window. DH ran out there and Ziggy was so mad he had crapped on the seat. He’s also eaten a car seat before, so yeah…no dogs alone in our cars anymore![/QUOTE]

This really annoys me. My dogs enjoy car rides. And it gives me time with them that I wouldn’t otherwise have because I have to get the errands done. (I talk to them in the car, etc.) but because some people are idiots and because some other people treat finding “bad” pet owners like it is some sort of game where you get points for quantity, it is rapidly getting to where there is so much risk of something happening because of some “hero” that I won’t be able to take them.

Like a common errand is to go to the bank (local branch is dog friendly) then pick up prescriptions at the supermarket right across the street. During quiet hours, doesn’t take long at all at the pharmacy, and all of the people at the pharmacy and at the store know me and the dog (mostly the dog, I am just dog staff) so if there is a delay at the pharmacy they will tell me and I can go back outside and then come in again to pick up. So dog is in the car alone while I’m in the pharmacy, but with the windows down a lot and not on very hot days. Dog is fine, dog is happy to see anyone from the store who is on break while she is there, dog loves it. Why should she have to be deprived of something in life she enjoys? Feh.

(I do agree some dogs just take a dislike to people, though. My parents’ dog used to bark at some people but not others, not aggressively but like she was telling them off. Finally figured out she doesn’t like smokers - so if you smell strongly of smoke to her nose, she tells you off. Not sure if it is just because it stinks or if she is trying to give a lecture about lung cancer, though. )

[toady123]

[QUOTE=kdow;8292108]
This really annoys me. My dogs enjoy car rides. And it gives me time with them that I wouldn’t otherwise have because I have to get the errands done. (I talk to them in the car, etc.) but because some people are idiots and because some other people treat finding “bad” pet owners like it is some sort of game where you get points for quantity, it is rapidly getting to where there is so much risk of something happening because of some “hero” that I won’t be able to take them.[/QUOTE]

I worry about this too. Although in our town there are lots of dogs in cars (rural area, lots of farm dogs and pets that get carted around), there are still zealots out there.

If I leave them it’s usually if I can keep sight of the car, and I won’t be long. Even in those instances they will often draw a crowd (not of worried citizens, but citizens wishing to pet the adorable labs that are mooching for attention). Then you come out and have to answer (THE SAME) 20 questions before you can leave.

“They are adorable.” “They are 4 and 5.” “They are not siblings.” “They ARE pretty skinny for labs” (it’s called ‘not being morbidly obese’). “They are from a breed rescue.” “They were not abused.” “They ARE adorable thank you for saying so.”

LOL

[kdow]

[QUOTE=toady123;8292239]
I worry about this too. Although in our town there are lots of dogs in cars (rural area, lots of farm dogs and pets that get carted around), there are still zealots out there.

If I leave them it’s usually if I can keep sight of the car, and I won’t be long. Even in those instances they will often draw a crowd (not of worried citizens, but citizens wishing to pet the adorable labs that are mooching for attention). Then you come out and have to answer (THE SAME) 20 questions before you can leave.

“They are adorable.” “They are 4 and 5.” “They are not siblings.” “They ARE pretty skinny for labs” (it’s called ‘not being morbidly obese’). “They are from a breed rescue.” “They were not abused.” “They ARE adorable thank you for saying so.”

LOL[/QUOTE]

My housemate had someone complain to the store he was in during the winter because he left his kid (9) and my dog in the car while he ran in. Kid was playing on iPad, they had a blanket to cuddle up under, kid knew where dad was and had a leash and the store is dog friend so he could have come in if needed. (Car was parked so this could be done safely.)

Person was apparently worried because it was cold. I think people do not understand physics. (Wind block of closed up car plus blanket plus 75lb dog and kid cuddled up together plus kid in winter coat and hat = kid and dog are probably quite comfortable from all that nice trapped body heat.)

I’m curious about the breed rescue, though. I’m finally getting to where I am thinking about getting another dog (losing Pirate was very hard on me) and labs are on my look at list. I want another largeish dog. (I will check my local shelter, but they tend to primarily have small to medium pit mixes, and that is smaller than I want.)

[DJohn]

:eek: That would’ve scared the heck out of me.

I used to be a dog person, but I’ve really grown tired of any dogs but my own. I avoid petting any dog that isn’t ours, mostly because of bad manners. I can’t stand dogs that bark, jump up with their front paws, lunge etc. SO irritating.

I don’t blame you for being scared, and I’d have got back in my car and moved to another parking spot. All you need is a bad dog jumping on top of your car and scratching it! I don’t think you did anything to provoke it other than badly trained (or well-trained, if it’s job is to “protect”) dog launching at a stranger.

[kdow]

[QUOTE=DJohn;8293104]
:eek: That would’ve scared the heck out of me.

I used to be a dog person, but I’ve really grown tired of any dogs but my own. I avoid petting any dog that isn’t ours, mostly because of bad manners. I can’t stand dogs that bark, jump up with their front paws, lunge etc. SO irritating.[/QUOTE]

I’ve started telling people I know who are first time dog owners or first time getting a puppy that the most important thing is MANNERS. People get so caught up in obedience class, but honestly - it’s not that hard to teach an older dog, even a full grown one, to sit. Or lie down, or whatever. On the other hand, who wants to be dealing with a full grown Great Dane that doesn’t realize it is rude to barge through doors and jump up on people and so on? That behavior is MUCH easier to handle when the dog is smaller as a puppy.

(I mean, if you can do both, good for you. But if you’re going to focus your attention on just one aspect, seriously, the party tricks can come later.)

[Calamber]

When a dog in a car is guarding it’s territory, the immediate area outside of it is prime area for bites to happen if the dog can reach outside the window. I parked my car 3 spots away from the only car in front of our local general store, I raced in to get a snack and could see them from the cash register. A woman walked out the door to her car, turned and walked over to the dogs, which were on alert barking, she stepped up to the side of the car and started talking to them and that is when I ran out to the door and said get away from the car please. Why in God’s name she had to do that with a big dog barking right at her I have no idea. I have seen children do this and seeming to be absolutely baffled why the dogs were barking at them and they would just stand there and talk to them, and once an adult woman who stuck her face up to the screen in the cap on the back of the truck. My dog punched the screen out lunging at her. You are not going to calm a dog down who is in protective mode by talking to them. Don’t look at them and get out of the zone.