Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/314292
66 • JUNE 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Phone: 301-334-9100 Fax: 301-334-7846 www.cpalmerdiecastinginc.com x Many items in stock - caps, finials, rings, wall mounts, column bases ….. x Custom made parts x Short volume runs x In-house tool & die shop This column first appeared in the December 1983 edition of World Fence News, and was one of the very first ones submitted by Jim. I was just looking through some back editions of World Fence News and came across the Pete and Jake car- toon where the dog had uprooted the tree it was tied to and I got to thinking about the fact most fence folks have to deal with dogs as an occupational haz- ard. So, since I am somewhat of an au- thority on the subject, I thought I might pass on a few tips to the fence mob at large. I've only been bit once and that was by a pit bull I scared with my lawnmower clearing a right of way. I Mastering the "butt" scratch Dealing with dogs on the job BY JIM HART, WFN CONTRIBUTING EDITOR EMERITUS guess I must be part Texan; I do things in a big way. Most fencers get bit by small dogs. I had to pick a 130 pound monster whose mouth full of teeth would scare a great white shark into a quivering lump of jelly. Anyway, veterinarians tell me dogs can sense you are afraid of 'em. Believe it. You need a strong front to show 'em who is boss as soon as you show up on the job. It sometimes helps convince the dog you are his boss if you happen to give him a whack with a six foot line post right off the bat. However, this has been known to bend some cus- tomers out of shape. As an alternative to lashing the mutt, send a helper in to greet the cus- tomer first. If he survives the first two minutes, you can safely get out of the truck yourself. This isn't really a failsafe method, as some sneaky mutts like a choice of targets before they attack. Others are just too stupid to realize their turf is being invaded until the instant you leave the truck. Fortunately, these kinds are few and far between. Now, assume you are in the yard and a hound shows up snarling, hair raised on back, and teeth grinning like a fox eating persimmons. Freeze right there! Look the mutt right in the eye and hope the chill that is running up and down your back don't show. Most times the hound will then creep around behind you to smell your pant's leg. If he don't take a bite right after that, he is willing to negotiate so turn and face him again slowly. This will throw him off guard be- cause he is expecting you to make a fast move. He might jump back about three feet, ready to run. Squat down slowly and extend your hand palm up with your fingers sticking straight up. This, believe it or not, is the way one dog says to another he don't want to fight. The hound usually at this point will sniff your hand. If he licks it you are in. He is willing to be friends with you since you just surrendered "dog style." If he don't lick your hand but moves close, he probably won't bite, but needs more convincing that you aren't an enemy. Now is the time in your best calm voice to tell him he is just a "feather tailed mutt." Them words has worked for me every time. The words are meaning- less to a dog, but the sound must be re- assuring. About this time you should see a slight tail wag when you coax him to come. He is almost convinced you are a friend. Watch his eyes if he comes to you. The tail may be wagging when he trots up, but the eyes will give him away if he is trying to fool you. Any fool can tell. It's sort of like recognizing a rat- tlesnake even if you never saw one be- fore you stepped on it. Stand up slowly on these kinds of mutts and slowly walk back to the truck and get in. Then get on the horn to attract the customer's attention. Next we run across the barker. His eyes are friendly and his hair ain't up on his back, but he is barking a rather menacing bark. He keeps a few feet from you and follows your every move. This mutt is simply telling you, "I'm on guard duty right now but we can be friends." Soon as the owner shows up, the dog is off duty and will usually come to you. Scratch his ears and work down his back to his tail and scratch like crazy. Most dogs are suckers for what I call the "butt scratch." They are tick- lish in the area where their tail joins their back. You usually have to push 'em out of the way the rest of the job once you master the butt scratch tech- nique. You now have a friend for life. Some how, it don't work on women, for the benefit of you single guys, so don't try it. On real stubborn dogs that just won't be friends, and get you nervous so you end up setting poles in the wrong yard, I use the "turn the back on 'em" routine. I just sit down and let the dog get used to me, then extend my hand out behind me fingers up. This usually results in a lick on the hand. continued on page 68 ATLAS WHOLESALE FENCE SUPPLY Manufactured in USA Call or Email today for pricing and orders Universal Cantilever Rollers Barbwire 713/772/5591 sales@atlasfenceco.com Class 3 Round and Square Rollers fit 3" - 3 1/2" - 4" - 4 5D]RU%DUULHU:LUH