OK - why did Barney snap at that reporter?

[hedgehog]

It wasn't even really a bite. Olbermann showed the video over and over. It looked like the handler was jerking Barney back before Barney started growling. And what is up with using the leash as a choke collar? The Bushes can't afford a proper collar for Barney?

Edit - here's a slo-mo version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC-yH1ED9ZY

[mikelgb]

1. he heard the news of the new puppy?

[jeepnstein]

Maybe...

he smelled like John McCain? Dogs notice that kind of thing. That's why they're man's best friend.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. He was an atheist democrat who hated America.

[DS1]

3. I don't like small dogs

but that guy did appear to go in quick, and with his palm faced down instead of up. Apparently your supposed to do the opposite. I leave the little shits alone.

[hedgehog]

12. I think there's something wrong with Barney and/or the handler.

Barney was not responding at all even though the reporter was talking to him. Barney seemed too uninterested in his surroundings for a healthy dog. I'm also looking at the handler who appears to jerk the leash before Barney starts growling. The reporter approached Barney too fast and with a reaching hand instead of offering a fist to be sniffed. Still, I think Barney snapped as a startle reflex when the leash was jerked.

[DS1]

16. Well, he has been dropped on his head at least once

[Bake]

21. Let me introduce you to my lhasa, Muffin

Or as some people call her, "Satan." She's a total sweetheart (to her family) but if a stranger comes near, she will tear UP some ass!

:hi:

Bake

[Dennis Donovan]

4. Note to Decker: Stop wearing pork chops around your neck...

Seriously, one thing you NEVER do to a terrier: rush up to them. If he approached Barney slowly, it would've never happened.

[get the red out]

5. Little dogs

tend to be more nervous of strangers. Obviously there was a camera on the little guy as well, a big item with strange people, he got scared.

[amdezurik]

9. add in the fact that dogs are very sensitive to moods

of their owners, and how pissed off dumbaya was/is ( :P suck it jerk) and the poor dog was aggitated and under pressure. He just choose the wrong target :)

[Arkansas Granny]

15. I don't think it was fear. It looked to me like Barney was trying to ignore the people

who kept yelling at him and invading his space. The humans just kept it up and then tried to touch him when he obviously wasn't interested in interacting with them. If they had read his mood correctly they would have seen that he didn't want to be bothered. His handler should have removed him from the situation before it came to this. Barney was just telling them to leave him alone.

[tridim]

6. Mean humans create mean dogs. It's a universal truth.

[lamp_shade]

7. Barney Frank bit a reporter? Good!!

[cliffordu]

8. Meat the press.

[Chimichurri]

10. Aren't you supposed to let dogs smell you before petting them?

If they don't know you, of course. It looked like the reporter just went right for petting him without allowing the dog feel comfortable with him invading his doggie space.

[yellowcanine]

17. Yes. A dog feels threatened by abrupt approaches and defends himself.

The reporter needs to learn how to approach dogs.

[Kota]

11. They talk about him being asleep right before he reaches for him.

Should have left the dog alone, and why Laura was parading him around if he was tired enough to fall asleep right there is beyond me.

[hedgehog]

14. That was Laura holding the leash? This gets stranger and stranger.

That poor animal needs to see a vet.

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. He was startled. I think looking at the angle the reporter's hand came in

maybe Barney, who saw the rest of the guy didn't see the hand. My parents taught me to never just jab my hand at a dog who doesn't know me. Always slowly present the back of my hand for a good sniff first.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[appleannie1]

19. You should never approach a dog that does not know you in that

fast a manner. Let them be comfortable with your presence first. Terriers are a more nervous breed anyway. Barney was uncomfortable with all those strange people that close to him and then one approached way too fast. He was simply saying "Back Off, this is my space".
On another subject, why in the heck was the leash wrapped around his neck in that fashion? Don't they have a collar for him? And it is apparent that whoever was on the other end of that leash does not know doggy language or they would never have allowed that many strange people that close to a nervous dog that was not looking all that happy about it, in the first place.

[canetoad]

20. Look at Barney's body language

Tail down,not moving. Ears set slightly back. Leaning away from the person holding his lead.

Then, from the opposite side comes another threat babbling 'Hi Barney'. The poor dog tried to sink into the ground. He has nowhere to go so he reacted as every defensive dog does. He warned the guy out of his space.

No big deal, I just feel sorry for the poor little mutt.

[Greyhound]

22. Dogs are excellent judges of character.

If your dog doesn't like somebody, stay away they're up to no good.

[RaleighNCDUer]

23. That is the way any dog will react when it is raised around unpredictible,

violent people, such as drunks. They never know when that sudden move means they are going to be hit.