'Animals can smell fear'

LUDHIANA: People need to understand the psychology of stray dogs to escape their ferocity, advises dog trainer Harish Jassal. ''There's always a reason behind the attack. Sometimes the dog is violent because she wants to keep her puppies safe, at other times, the animal is insecure because it does not have a shelter. We often see dogs chase cars. That's because vehicles hit animals and leave them injured.The dog then gets aggressive,'' he adds.
Jassal says even stray dogs are not violent by nature. ''But they get irked if somebody irritates them by trying to snatch the food or disturbing them when they're asleep or even unnecessarily pat them,'' he adds. Due to their sixth sense, dogs smell the fear, especially when kids falls down. ''If you're afraid, a dog is more likely to attack you,'' Jassal says.
A growl should be taken as a warning. ''When an unknown stray is trying to come near you, let it. Just keep your face away,'' the trainer advises. Giving tips, Jassal says it's always better to stay calm. ''In case of an attack, lie down in the fetal position, keeping your head and face away,'' he adds. If there is somebody around, he can help the victim by holding the animal's feet, picking up the creature like a wheelbarrow. tnn