Did Our Dogs Prevent a Cougar Attack?
5 considerations before getting a dog
The dogs were barking like crazy, and my husband didn’t know why. He was a quarter mile from the house, checking fence line at a point where the marsh and forest converged. He scanned the area, but nothing seemed amiss. The dogs were agitated, though. He checked again.
Eventually, he looked up…and into the eyes of a mountain lion, perched high in a tree overhead.
Did the relentless chorus of our canine companions avert a cougar attack, or was the mountain lion merely enjoying the afternoon’s entertainment? We’ll never know, but these silent predators have attacked our cattle in the past.
At the very least, our dogs serve as vigilant guardians, warning us of unseen perils and, sometimes, scaring away beasts we’d rather not encounter face-to-face.
If you’re considering country living, also consider adopting a dog or two. Dogs and country living go paw-in-hand. But, consider carefully, based upon your expectations and temperament, and the temperament of the individual dog.
5 Things to Think About Before Getting a Dog
1. Is the breed you favor cut out for country life? Country dogs tend to be working breeds – animals that are built for long rambles, herding, or hunting. They generally are large enough not to be perceived as prey by the coyotes and cougars that inhibit our forests. Here’s a starter list of dogs that thrive in the country. It’s by no means exclusive.
2. Will you have the right space for the dog you choose? Country dogs typically have more room to run about than their city cousins, but they still need limits. Your neighbors may not appreciate unaccompanied visits by your dog, especially if their dogs and yours don’t get along well. You may need a fence to help define boundaries.
3. Are you able to exercise your dog? Even in the country, dogs need lots of physical activity to stay happy and healthy. Just how much depends on the breed and age of the animal.
4. Does your homeowner’s insurance cover dog bites and property damage? Most major insurers offer liability insurance in case your dog harms someone on your property of damages someone else’s property. Your own property or family, however, is excluded. So, if your dog destroys your sofa, it won’t be covered unless you purchase an umbrella policy for such contingencies. Talk with your insurance representative specifically about liability coverage for your dog.
5. Is the breed you want excluded from coverage by your insurance company? Some insurance companies consider certain breeds risky, and refuse to cover them. Pit bulls, Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, chows, German shepherds and huskies are often on that list because they tend to be protective or aggressive, and have been involved in a higher rate of claims than other breeds.
Some states, however, ban discrimination by dog breed. Here’s a state-by-state guide of states that ban discrimination and those that allow breed-specific legislation (BSL).
Country Dogs Are More Relaxed
Dog breeds aside, Psychology Today noted in a 2020 article that country dogs are significantly less anxious than city dogs. It cited a study of 6,000 dog conducted by the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine that found that dogs living in the city were (on average) 45 percent more fearful of strangers and 70 percent more fearful of other dogs than those living in rural and agricultural surroundings.
Of course, even the sweetest dogs have occasional issues. Preventing an incident in the first place is your best solution to possible dog-related issues.
Training your dog how to behave both at home and in public goes without saying. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has dog training tips for many situations.
Dogs, like people, thrive when they are praised and told what to do rather than what not to do the AKC stresses, so reward desired behaviors. With training, your four-legged friend will know how to behave and therefore, will be less likely behave badly.
Dogs and country living go paw-in-hand. For my family, they bring tremendous joy and companionship that we just can’t be without.
Thank you for reading Where the Asphalt Ends.
The cougar in the tree was nothing compared to the cougar running within two feet of my wife and myself some years later near our front yard. It was being chased by our two dogs in an eerily silent pursuit.
That’s scary!!! Glad no one was attacked!!