[nagdu] Barking - revisited?

[Craig Heaps]

I'm going to give a very nonexpert opinion.  Dogs need to express 
themselves.  Guide Dogs are bred and trained not to do it all the time like 
pet dogs.  (Chase hardly every barks.  Our pet poodle sometimes has to have 
the no bark squirt collar put on so he'll shut up.)  If she's doing it as an 
occasional alarm in situations you think might appear threatening to her, I 
wouldn't worry about it.

Yesterday, Chase and I were out walking.  I could feel in the harness handle 
that there was a dog coming toward us and herard his owner trying to control 
him.  I made Chase sit until they passed.  My friend with me told me the 
other dog was leaning against his leash as he went by, staring at Chase the 
whole way.  Chase barked and made a short lunge toward the dog, apparently 
feeling really threatened.  I immeidately made Chase sit again and then lie 
down. It didn't particularly upset me because it's extremely rare for him, 
and didn't seem entirely inappropriate.

Afterward though, I thought I should have turned Chase away to break the eye 
contact instead of just having him sit.  I think that would have hlped.