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I think that this is especially important.Don't consider that you will befriend a working dog.
I am Spaniard from Galicia and I am not sure on how they address dogs in Andalucia. It could be different in every region of Spain. I would say "Que tal ?" (with a smile) that means How do you do? which also is understood by dogs in Galicia.I'm soon to do a combo of Caminos starting in Sevilla. & have noticed safety issues with unrestrained dogs in several areas.
Now in English, my first approach to an advancing dog is to try & gain acceptance with some nicely worded "good boy or good girl" tactics if I can determine the sex quick enough.
NEED some advice please on what people have heard locals say when addressing dogs .... which is probably not just the Spanish translation of above
I think a soothing tone, in any language is more effective than choice of words, if it's a bored or lonely dog just looking for attention, it will pick up on your tone and body language. Not so effective with a working dog protecting its territory, who just wants you gone.Now in English, my first approach to an advancing dog is to try & gain acceptance with some nicely worded "good boy or good girl" tactics if I can determine the sex quick enough
Reading my diary from my first Camino again recently I was struck by the number of times I wrote about encountering aggressive dogs on the Camino Frances. And being very glad to have a substantial stick with me. Very different from more recent walks where problems with dogs have been extremely rare. I think in part because of changes in behaviour by dog owners but also the familiarity dogs have with the greatly increased numbers of walkers.Packs of feral dogs have become rare, and on the Francès anyway nowadays, they tend to just leave pilgrims alone, even when passing by within 5 metres or so. Shared territory.
Yeah -- dogs are territorial, and the feral dogs seem to have recognised the Camino as Pilgrim territory as much as it's their own ; which was very much not the case back in the 1990s !! Big stick was highly useful towards them back in those days.Reading my diary from my first Camino again recently I was struck by the number of times I wrote about encountering aggressive dogs on the Camino Frances. And being very glad to have a substantial stick with me. Very different from more recent walks where problems with dogs have been extremely rare. I think in part because of changes in behaviour by dog owners but also the familiarity dogs have with the greatly increased numbers of walkers.
Cachorro cachorro k fas? What are you doing puppy dog? Nunca te vas a aprender - you're not going to learn, are you!? And if all fails, vaya joderte - F off!I'm soon to do a combo of Caminos starting in Sevilla. & have noticed safety issues with unrestrained dogs in several areas.
Now in English, my first approach to an advancing dog is to try & gain acceptance with some nicely worded "good boy or good girl" tactics if I can determine the sex quick enough.
NEED some advice please on what people have heard locals say when addressing dogs .... which is probably not just the Spanish translation of above
I found my walking poles useful for fending off strays , I didn't befriend themI'm soon to do a combo of Caminos starting in Sevilla. & have noticed safety issues with unrestrained dogs in several areas.
Now in English, my first approach to an advancing dog is to try & gain acceptance with some nicely worded "good boy or good girl" tactics if I can determine the sex quick enough.
NEED some advice please on what people have heard locals say when addressing dogs .... which is probably not just the Spanish translation of above
If you want to use words, I'd say just use the ones you're used to.
I "speak" to dogs in English, regardless of whether I'm in France, Spain, Portugal, or Italy. Seems to work.
As these are "unrestrained dogs", letting them scare you away if you're not scared of dogs is probably not best advice -- if they're running about unchecked, they need to remember they're not the boss on the Camino. Pilgrims and the Locals are. So either keep your stick or pole on the side the dog on to warn it away and carry on normally (always good advice), or face it if you're up to that, and anyway use whatever means to remind it that it's not in charge and/or you don't care about its crazy barking.
Looking it in the eye can often be a bad idea, which is to say a pointless time-waster, unless you're high enough on the aggressive or passive-aggressive scale to get away with it. You'll know yourself best in this regard, anyway.
The most annoying are the aggressive little barky ones, as they can set an entire village a-barking !!
The second most annoying ones are those that try and follow you.
The worst are the thankfully rare genuinely aggressive ones, not just barking but seeking to bite.
Packs of feral dogs have become rare, and on the Francès anyway nowadays, they tend to just leave pilgrims alone, even when passing by within 5 metres or so. Shared territory.
As many have already said, trekking poles are very helpful! As for Spanish, try "Basta" if the dog seems menacing. For good dogs, in a calm voice, buen perro or buena perra, or buen chico/ buena chica.I'm soon to do a combo of Caminos starting in Sevilla. & have noticed safety issues with unrestrained dogs in several areas.
Now in English, my first approach to an advancing dog is to try & gain acceptance with some nicely worded "good boy or good girl" tactics if I can determine the sex quick enough.
NEED some advice please on what people have heard locals say when addressing dogs .... which is probably not just the Spanish translation of above
You've made this point twice. OK, so we all need to add a heavy bike lock to our packs? Oh, no, that won't work! I guess we need to carry it ready for use. Oh no, that would be lopsided, so we should carry one hooked over each pole?flourishing a heavy bike-lock
Cachorro K fas? Is a mix, better in galego is K fas cadelo? or if it is adult K fas can ?.Cachorro cachorro k fas? What are you doing puppy dog?
I can be talking to my baby grand-daughter, who is just learning to walk - "walk to Grandma" etc. I need to be careful because the family dog's ears perk up and she heads to the door in anticipation, as soon as she hears the sound and tone of the word "walk." Is that not language?Dogs do not understand language! Dogs understand only the sound and tone of your voice.
This is not THE reason...but definitely a good reason to use hiking sticks on a camino. Whether it's dogs or people-use them to keep distance between you and a threat, maybe bang them together and if need be...whack the bejesus out of anything that attacks you. As far as speaking to a dog...I'd just shout whatever and stand my ground. Best of luck and I hope you have no issues.I'm soon to do a combo of Caminos starting in Sevilla. & have noticed safety issues with unrestrained dogs in several areas.
Now in English, my first approach to an advancing dog is to try & gain acceptance with some nicely worded "good boy or good girl" tactics if I can determine the sex quick enough.
NEED some advice please on what people have heard locals say when addressing dogs .... which is probably not just the Spanish translation of above
I've been attacked twice by large dogs while on the Camino - a Rottweiler on the Invierno and a feral dog on the Camino Portugues Interior. These were not barking to protect property - they came running straight to the attack (both attacks were reported at the time to the police). Can I just echo the advice on here which is never to turn your back and hope for the best. Keep the stick(s) low and create a barrier between you and the dog while you back off.
You've made this point twice. OK, so we all need to add a heavy bike lock to our packs? Oh, no, that won't work! I guess we need to carry it ready for use. Oh no, that would be lopsided, so we should carry one hooked over each pole?
I've been attacked twice by large dogs while on the Camino - a Rottweiler on the Invierno and a feral dog on the Camino Portugues Interior. These were not barking to protect property - they came running straight to the attack (both attacks were reported at the time to the police). Can I just echo the advice on here which is never to turn your back and hope for the best. Keep the stick(s) low and create a barrier between you and the dog while you back off.
Specifically, on the Via de la Plata, there was an issue early last year when a dog near Merida bit pilgrims on two separate occasions. The dog was reported to the police and there have been no further reports of problems.
I did encounter a hungry wild dog with red eyes running towards me after Hontanas. So terrified, thinking what should I do? Nothing, but trying to keep calm and SMILING in my heart with my mobile phone before my heart. Unbelievably the dog just stopped at 1 meter before me with the bewildered eyes. And I took a picture of this dog.
Was it because of “Lord be our fortress in danger” from The Pilgrim’s Prayer in the Iglesia de Santiago of Puente la Reina? Or the dog could read my mind that I was smiling to it, so let me go? Not sure which one. But I learned that just keeping smiling and walking slowly when facing wild dogs. No need to speak any words.
It's also no in Spanish. Facing them, pointing your stick at them and saying NO! Really loudly while you continue walking. Works for me over 4 different caminos in 3 different countries.I'm soon to do a combo of Caminos starting in Sevilla. & have noticed safety issues with unrestrained dogs in several areas.
Now in English, my first approach to an advancing dog is to try & gain acceptance with some nicely worded "good boy or good girl" tactics if I can determine the sex quick enough.
NEED some advice please on what people have heard locals say when addressing dogs .... which is probably not just the Spanish translation of above
Sounds like quite a plan! Buen Camino!I'm starting March 1st from Sevilla & have your notes to help me! Then I will join the Camino Teresiano in Avila & Camino Torres from Salamanca , spend some days on the Duoro & rejoin the Via around Verin or somewhere then onto SDC....and then onto the end of the World!
I don´t think Spanish dogs understand Portuguese any better than they understand English. If it is a ´working dog´, just back away - they are just doing their job which is keeping you away from the property or flock they are supposed to be protecting-. If it is a pet dog, who knows - badly trained dogs are as unpredictable as badly trained humans. Threatening any dog that is already seeing you as an intruder is not a good idea.Cachorro cachorro k fas? What are you doing puppy dog? Nunca te vas a aprender - you're not going to learn, are you!? And if all fails, vaya joderte - F off!
Hilarious. Que tal. Address a dog? With extreme caution, in whichever language.I am Spaniard from Galicia and I am not sure on how they address dogs in Andalucia. It could be different in every region of Spain. I would say "Que tal ?" (with a smile) that means How do you do? which also is understood by dogs in Galicia.
I had to make a wide circle around a bull standing in the middle of the path on my very first morning in Spain. I can remember saying "Buenos dias Señor Toro!" as I did so. Though it is quite possible that his owner only ever spoke to him in euskara and he had no idea what I was saying. My atrocious pronunciation might not have helped.Hilarious. Que tal. Address a dog? With extreme caution, in whichever language.
There is a very funny scene in Karel Capek's 'The War with the Newts' where a talking salamander fails to convince a committee that it is really an intelligent creature because it only repeats opinions gathered from popular newspapers and only has the analytical abilities of a minor tradesman...A cautionary tale on the unwisdom of teaching our fellow animals human speech.
...and minor tradesmen should have lesser analytical abilities than..and only has the analytical abilities of a minor tradesman...
Capek's book is a satire which amongst other things pokes fun at contemporary notions of class and racial superiority. Written by a Czech and published in 1936. A time and place ripe for satire but not perhaps the safest place to pursue it...and minor tradesmen should have lesser analytical abilities than..
Scientists? Surgeons? Intellectuals??
I 'bark" at Little Dog, particularly when she is about to start snacking on something unsavoury she has found on the beach. It usually stops her but later she will advise me that my intonation is poor and my enunciation execrableMaybe we should learn to bark back at dogs in their own language..
Hiplok makes bike locks that are wearable around the waist. It feels heavy when held in my hands, yet after a few minutes of riding with the Hiplok on my waist, I didn’t notice it anymore. On steep uphills (14% grade), I do notice it on the climb, but it’s doable. My husband tried the Hiplok wearable, and we added a motorcycle bungie cord so that it fit comfortably around his waist.You've made this point twice. OK, so we all need to add a heavy bike lock to our packs? Oh, no, that won't work! I guess we need to carry it ready for use. Oh no, that would be lopsided, so we should carry one hooked over each pole?
That sounds ideal for beating dogs with, I must get one..
I have been known to send a copy of Tobermory to friends who are obtaining a cat for the first time.
A cautionary tale on the unwisdom of teaching our fellow animals human speech.
Each to their own but surely ‘ spray! is an easier and more ‘fit/designed for purpose’ solution? I know females who carry self defence spray and it’s seems easy to use; a bike lock, or even rocks, seem very cumbersome? Presumably a few people on here have some experience on repelling bears?Hiplok makes bike locks that are wearable around the waist. It feels heavy when held in my hands, yet after a few minutes of riding with the Hiplok on my waist, I didn’t notice it anymore. On steep uphills (14% grade), I do notice it on the climb, but it’s doable. My husband tried the Hiplok wearable, and we added a motorcycle bungie cord so that it fit comfortably around his waist.
This silver level security bike lock is discounted at $82. I like the gold.
Bears are a different. They're not use to tangling with humans and don't know that humans can't fight. And bear spray is MUCH more potent than any spray designed for dogs (like what the mailman carries).Each to their own but surely ‘pepper spray! Is an easier and more ‘fit/designed for purpose’ solution? I know females who carry self defence spray and it’s seems easy to use; a bike lock, or even rocks, seem very cumbersome? Presumably a few people on here have some experience on repelling bears?
Ah thanks for that! You clearly know the subject matter very well. Your advice seems really sensible! I am hoping to do the VDLP soonish and I just want to some tips to protect myself and you have certainly provided that! Thanks again!Bears are a different. They're not use to tangling with humans and don't know that humans can't fight. And bear spray is MUCH more potent than any spray designed for dogs (like what the mailman carries).
The only time I've used pepper on a dog was several years ago when I was on a country road near my home. I was walking my old dog. Suddenly, a big German Shepard ran up to the fenceline, doing the usual coming unglued, snarling, barking, like he wanted to rip me a new one. The Shepard was trying so hard to get out/through the fence. Finally he DID find a small gap in the fence and wiggled his way through the gap and was charging at me and my dog from about 30 feet away. I had a little pepper fogger spray, and all it took was about a 1/2 second burst of pepper into the air. He sniffed it, turned around and ran back through the fence. Had I not had the spray, he likely would have killed my dog, and torn me up trying to get him off of my dog. I don't think I even got any of the spray ON him. Dogs have very sensitive noses, and just getting a whiff of pepper is enough to get them to change their minds.
A pepper "fogger" is probably more effective for most people. You really don't even have to get any of the pepper ON the dog, just put a little pepper "cloud" between you and the dog. The dog will have to run through the cloud to get to YOU. (mind the wind) As I say, once dogs even get a whiff of pepper, they change their mind and will go pick on someone else.
If someone just had the "stream" version of spray, I'm not sure that someone could even get any actual pepper on a charging dog when you're terrified.
Again, this is not about a barking dog 20 feet away. Who cares? I've walked past thousands of barking dogs. This if for when AN ATTACK IS IMMINENT.
And I agree with previous comments to NEVER turn your back to a barking/snarling dog. You will FOR SURE get bit.
(I'm sure people were just joking about using a bike chain.)
Thanks for your keen observation to the story which I made it short. Here I would like clarify the situation at that time.Goodness gracious.... how did you manage to take a picture of that feral creature with bewildered red eyes??
Just as well this dog is wearing a collar and looks well fed and well groomed. Perhaps a local charity or family takes it in on a regular basis for a ration of cuddles and cookies?
What really shocks me is the pilgrim in the background who simply continues (or so it seems) and does not come to your rescue.
The mind boggles. But you survived.
I try very hard to discourage dogs from following me. I certainly would not feed any dog I came across. Every year many dogs follow pilgrims along the Caminos and then cannot find their way back home. It is a major problem for local animal shelters.By the third snack, the dog will like you and may follow you in a friendly manner, hoping for more treats. Then try Stop, Stay, or Heel, and continue on your camino.
Of course it is.While you have the right to protect yourself, cruelty to animals is a crime.
Can you point to a post advocating beating a dog to death simply because it barked?Image being a parent explaining the death of the family pet dog to a small child because it barked at someone and was cruelly beaten to death.
Can you point to a post advocating beating a dog to death simply because it barked?
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