IT IS possible for people to be in close proximity to stray dogs without facing any threat, says a dog trainer.
Hiridas Suberminam. from Klang, who is better known as Hirry, said stray dogs would not attack without provocation.
Unlike guard dogs that are trained to be aggressive, he said most stray dogs have a gentle temperament.
People should learn to understand canine behaviour, he added. (See charts)
Dogs that attack without any apparent reason, Hiridas said, were often traumatised by past experiences or driven by underlying factors.
“For instance, if a postman on a motorcycle had previously hit a dog, the dog might begin to perceive anyone on a similar vehicle as a threat.
“Or if a dog had witnessed a pack member being killed by a vehicle, it may attempt to stop vehicles.
“Such dogs may pose a danger to the public and should be removed from public areas and rehabilitated,” he said, adding that most dogs with aggressive behaviour can be rehabilitated with the right approach.
He added that aggressive dogs needed both time and space to rebuild trust in people.
However, many gentle dogs are subject to provocations, like being hit by stones thrown by playful children.
“The dogs may run away, but not always, because it is in a dog’s nature to retaliate when provoked,” said Hiridas.
“Dogs can sense bad intentions and will either retreat or defend themselves,” he said, adding that dogs were often unfairly blamed when they attacked.
Hiridas said it was important to educate the public on how to be around stray dogs.
“Some people react with unnecessary fear, throwing objects at the dogs to chase them away or they run away, which can escalate the situation.
“Most stray dogs tend to keep to themselves and only approach people when looking for food,” he added.
