Is throwing food or a rock at an aggressive dog the trick to get it away?

[Anonymous]

This is what I once did with an aggressive German Shepherd. Running away obviously going to make it worse. I'm not that tall nor strong either.

I ripped a meat bag and cookies, tossing them several feets away, distracting it. That's all I could think of, throwing away what I've just bought. At the time same it sucks. That was my meal for the week, all that money gone for that stupid dog.

It saved me but the thing wouldn't leave me alone afterwards. Ever since, it would come back at the same spot for food and/or to play (whenever I threw a rock, it chased it and came back towards me with me), walking with me. Eventually animal control took care of the situation. I had no room, patience and not much money to take care of a animal that's not mine.

But seriously does that work too? Is what I did a good method overall?

[BeMuse]

The more tense, nervous, and aggressive you are with dogs, the more they will be that way with you. All you really have to do is chill out, be confident, and nice. Instead you are freaking out, thinking negative thoughts about the dog, throwing shit at it, etc. so obviously you are a threat.

[Asker]

Well it had a good ending. It associated me with the one giving it food and wanting to play (if I threw a rock but I wasn't interest in taking care of the dog (as mention I got no dedication, patience, money nor room to handle a big dog or any dog... I would suck as a dog owner) so animal control took it.

[dustybiker]

Gaining the dogs trust with food was smart. It’s obviously had a history of negative experience with humans, but it also knows it needs them to a certain extent to survive. This dog was being defensive in your case, but also asking for help. You did good. There are a number of other scenarios that could have happened. My heart goes out to it. They are my fav breed.

[Asker]

It was all I could think of, throwing my meal for the week. I have to admit, I wouldn't be a suitable owner for a large dog nor any dog. It needs dedication, a room and space to take care of it, available time and patience with the training; things I don't have. Not everyone is meant to be dog owners.

[Asker]

Kudos to all the people that take the time and effort to raise their dogs.

[dustybiker]

I applaud you for knowing your limits.

The previous owners of this dog probably didn’t think it through, or take the time to learn about this breed specifically. It’s a highly intelligent breed that gets bored easily and needs attention and lots of exercise. Bored equals destructive and creates behavior issues. This is probably why the poor dog ended up on the street.

[AmandaYVR]

This is hilarious. You sure did try to problem solve here.

I don't know what else you could have done besides yell and wave your arms about, trying to intimidate him back. Yeah, don't run. They have a chase instinct.

I've seen your method in heist movies a lot. It works for thieves, but then they only rob the house once, lol.

[Guy__]

meat, yes. something inedible won't work. Unless the dog is playful and will run after the stick to bring it to you...

[Asker]

Then probably the only reason the 2nd time throwing the rock worked was because it already associated me to being friendly when I threw it meat. Then it started acting like a playful child, coming to the same spot as if waiting for me.

[Asker]

Needless to say, I really wouldn't be the suitable person to take care of a big breed like that.

[Guy13]

I’ve never heard of that but maybe ⁉️ Where did you get that?

[Asker]

I always heard that dogs are predictable animals. For instance running away is a no-brainer. They can sensed fear faster but neither is making direct eye contact. They can take that as a challenge.
I know that they get attention through either loud sounds and moving objects... so tossing a ball, rock or anything moving and they can confuse it for you wanting to play with them. And bang, you have a friend right there.
As with food, that was just me wanting to get out of the awful situation with a large breed like that. I know all animals are hungry and like eating. A dog remembers who fed it and the exact same spot.

[Asker]

I didn't want to get mauled and wanted to live so that's all I could think of. All my money for that week (my meal) went to that dog, grrrr.

[Guy13]

Makes sense to me…especially the ball as all the dogs I’ve ever had 🥰 🎾 🎾🎾🥰. Throwing it at them 🤔… underhand makes sense.

[In_Trance]

Fuck around and find out