[pianotech] A new use for piano benches

[Douglas Gregg]

As a veterinarian, I get along with most dogs and cats, and people
often comment on how their dog was never as friendly with a stranger.
But there are a few exceptions. Most are small dogs.

 Did you know that the most dog bites that veterinarians report are
from dachshounds and Mexican chiwahas(sp). These can be really
dangerous as they are not often suspected to be biters. I will add
Pekanese to that list too. One wanted to eat me last week. I could not
make friends with it.

 Big dogs are scarey looking but most are not attack dogs.  German
Shephards do have a problem with knowing their property range. They
might come all the way out to the road. Pit bulls (Stafordshire
terriers) have a bad rap from being trained to protect drug houses but
they can be very sweet dogs. A Jack Russell terrier is more
unpredictable. Just my $.02.

When you enter a house with a barking dog, first don't keep walking in
if you see an unfriendly looking dog. That is obvious but not always
followed.  Wait for the owner.  Stand still. If the owner is not
present, stand your ground calmly and maybe slowly back out.  Usually
you can hold your ground and keep eye contact and the dog won't keep
coming. Don't wave your hands or present any weapons or shields. When
the owner shows up, I usually offer the back of my hand for a sniff.
This usually sets the dog at ease. If the owner is there and the dog
is uncontrollably barking and snarling, assume that it is dangerous.
Use of weapons (piano hammers) may excite the dog more. That is not
recommended except as a last resort. Obviously, the piano bench shield
was a last resort and pruden,t but it probably would increase a dogs
aggression.

I have only been bitten once in my life where blood was drawn or pain
inflicted. That was a keeshound that has a good reputation as a
trustworthy dog. However, this one was in kidney failure and was tired
of being treated with needles for dialysis.

I have not yet run into an attack rabbit. But watch out. (per Monty Python)

Doug Gregg DVM, PhD
Classic Piano Doc