The Hammer: Why Dogs Attack Us and How to Prevent It

by Bryan Bailey

Overview

For thousands of years, dogs have established themselves in the homes and hearts of humans, coming to be viewed almost exclusively as loyal, friendly, and obedient... which is why it is often so alarming and unexpected to owners when a dog attacks.



What causes dogs to act aggressively, and how can it be avoided?



In this captivating work of non-fiction, Bryan Bailey, whose credentials include over thirty-five years of both studying and teaching the influence of wolves over modern dogs, sheds light upon the instincts that trigger aggressive behavior- and what can be done to prevent it.



Featuring both meticulously researched information and thrilling stories inspired by real-life victims, this unforgettable book offers the only resource you'll need to learn to protect yourself from situations in which man's best friend turns into man's worst nightmare.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781946978387
Publisher:	Taming the Wild, LLC
Publication date:	01/16/2018
Pages:	242
Sales rank:	947,345
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.51(d)

Table of Contents

Contents

Ham·mer ...................................................................................... xxxi

Notes from the Author......................................................................1

Earl May............................................................................................. 7

The Four Factors of An Attack .......................................................19

The Hammer is Forged .................................................................. 27

Changes to the Hammer in Dogs .................................................. 35

William Monroe ............................................................................. 43

Competitive Aggression - The Evolutionary Rule of MINE ............53

The Four Stages of Competitive Aggression................................. 63

Preventing Competitive Aggression.............................................. 75

Sara McAlister.................................................................................87

Territorial Defense - The Invincible Center ................................ 101

Zoo Keeper - Preventing Territorial Aggression ........................ 109

Chloe and Marion Montgomery...................................................125

Self Defense Aggression - Swing Hard or Die ............................. 135

Preventing Self-Defense Aggression ............................................147

Under Siege - Surviving an Attack ...............................................165

Attacks to Children - The Principle of Resemblance..................175

The Impenetrable Lie....................................................................183

The Hammer Falls .........................................................................195

Bibliography ................................................................................... 201

Appendix A: Canine warning signals .......................................... 203

About the Author ......................................................................... 207

Editorial Reviews

"The Hammer is a heartfelt and convincing solution to what Bailey calls "willful ignorance." Bailey clearly articulates the relationshipbetween dog and wolf, reminding us that, despite being domesticated, the dog's wolf ancestry and basic "wild" survival instinct can betriggered and completely override the agenda set by a human. It is therefore vital that one respects the animal's basic nature. Baileyasserts that with some rudimentary knowledge of canine behavior, one has the ability to accurately interpret the warning signals givenby a dog when it intends to bite you, so you can either avoid the attack or save yourself when an attack is underway.

While Bailey's facts and guidance are straight to the point and effective, his vignettes about several dog victims reveal Bailey'smasterful storytelling skills. Each story drives home Bailey's point about recognizing the warning signals being given by the dog thatforeshadows an attack as well as the need for dog owners to be more responsible. Expertly written, the stories are profound anddisturbing. Each reveals rich characters and setting, the serene beauty and innocence of a moment that is interwoven with suspensethat leads to an inevitable attack that is dramatic and harrowing.

Although Bailey acknowledges there are numerous complexities to the subject of dog attacks -- such as ferocity of breed versusowner influence on dog -- he purposely cuts through the overwhelming jargon and dialogue in this topic to provide readers withspecific, comprehensible information to recognize and thwart dog aggression. But The Hammer is not only about saving people.Bailey's non-judgmental tone not only encourages gaining insight to a dog's mindset but also raises awareness for dog owners in theirtraining of dogs. Ultimately, a better understanding of dogs will reduce seemingly "unprovoked" attacks, for which dogs are beingcondemned to die.

The Hammer is a moving, thought provoking, and indispensable guide that calls for awareness, education, and action to save not onlythe lives of people but of dogs. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."

~ Maya Fleischmann, San Francisco Book Review

"I cannot recommend this book highly enough to every dog owner, any person who ever comes into contact with the pets of another (which is pretty much everyone, right?), and to all trainers. The author's primary goal is to keep others from being intentionally blind - willfully ignorant. Our believing something to be so doesn't make it so, but neither does our refusing to believe that something is so make it false. Bryan Bailey urges us all to dispense with what he calls "romantic notions" about dogs, and to begin to have a genuine appreciation for the fact that they are not human, they do not think or feel in the same way as humans, and that they can attack "regardless of any benevolence or love provided" when the conditions for an attack are in place. Please, do yourself a favor, whether you own a dog or not. Do your family - especially your children - your friends and your community a favor if you are a dog owner. Pick up a copy of The Hammer and read it. Cover to cover. Go in with an open mind and you're sure to exit with an enlightened one."

~ Patricia Reding, Reader's Favorite

From the Publisher