My dog is not a threat.

Dog Folks wrote:

BCSnob wrote:
This conversation got me to ponder these questions for which I'm not sure how I would answer.

Is it okay for a dog to show its teeth, growl, bark, and posture to strangers; or would you consider these unacceptable?

If we are teaching them these are unaccpetable means to communicate, how should they communicate their desire to have someone backoff?

Do we expect them to always resort to flee?

"Is it okay for a dog to show its teeth, growl, bark, and posture to strangers; or would you consider these unacceptable?"--Yes it is acceptable and a warning to the owner of said animal to take defensive action. Remove the dog or remove the threat.

I sure you can recognize,the less visible signs such as body posture, as you work with dogs all the time. The general public does not and cannot "read" a dog.

Growling, etc. is a very visible and clear sign that the dog is sending. Now if we can just educate the public.

I agree, but I very much believe it is up to the owner to take charge of the situation BEFORE the dog needs to react as such. I don't want my dogs to have to NEED to growl, show their teeth, posture, etc. to convince a person to back off. I can see in my dog's eyes when she is scared - I immediately take action to ease her fear in the situation. If I run across a knowledgeable person, I will use that opportunity to help teach Bat-dog that people aren't scary. Knowledgeable people know the tricks to reduce her fear - not looking her in the eyes, not standing over her, etc. I encourage those interactions and, as such, Bat-dog has improved 80% in the last couple years. I am very diligent in preventing any interaction that will adversely affect her behavior and I am not above telling people to "step away from the dog now".