Strange Behaviour - Picking Up a Vibe?

[7733lily]

Took the boys for a walk this morning through town
As we were walking along the main road a man came walking down a side road towards the road we were walking on
Now this man was disabled (hunch back and slightly dragging one foot) but nothing too out of the ordinary and not wearing anything unusual
Well the boys did not like him AT ALL.  Oliver stopped in his tracks, dug his heals in and started growling and Dylan bless him started his little barks (which he usually does when he's not sure of something) and put his tail between his legs
I didn't stop and carried on walking normally as if to say to them "there's nothing to see here" and they did come with me but Oliver kept lagging behind and growling at this man and Dylan couldn't get away fast enough, tail between his legs and for a good 5 mins kept looking behind him as if to say "oh god is he still there mum, I don't like it" and Oliver was up for confronting him
Now Oliver and Dylan are fine with all people, but Cooper who can be nervous around strangers (depending on their approach etc) didn't blink an eye this morning and didn't pick up on the other twos behaviour at all
Do you think it was because he looked slightly different they acted this way or just that he was not a nice person regardless of the fact he was disabled....very strange
Wonder why Cooper wasn't bothered  

[Emilyoliver]

How did you react when you very first saw the man?  I would probably have got a bit of a fright - just because he would appear slightly out of the ordinary.  As quick as such a reaction usually is, my dogs pick up on it really quickly and Ollie in particular would probably have behaved similarly to your two.  Also, he may well have looked odd to them unless they were used to such a gait/ appearance.

[7733lily]

Yeah I know what you mean, but I only saw him out the corner of my eye, kind of, as he was approaching from the side and a good 100yards or so away
As far as I know I didn't react at all as I have seen him before (not sure if the boys have though), but for them to react with him being so far away just seemed strange, I'm sure we've seen stranger looking people on our travels, but maybe they didn't think so
I was just curious at their reaction and Cooper's lack of

[Emilyoliver]

They're funny little beasts!  Ollie barks at some people (he is very barky), but others not at all?  Don't kniow why - some people may be frightened of him, or give off a vibe.  Never quite sure as they are usually strangers.  Sometimes Emily might join in, but usually not.  Who knows?!

[7733lily]

They're funny little beasts!  Ollie barks at some people (he is very barky), but others not at all?  Don't kniow why - some people may be frightened of him, or give off a vibe.  Never quite sure as they are usually strangers.  Sometimes Emily might join in, but usually not.  Who knows?!

Yeah they are strange little things, wonder what goes through their minds
I don't do very well not having an explanation for things 
Oh well, i'll trust their judgement and if we see him again, take a wide birth

[sebanelli]

I honestly believe the little mites have a sixth sense which is very apparent when either of us is down or feeling unwell - the cuddle count seems to go through the roof! BTW, I had to smile at your babies names as we have a Dylan, an Oliver and my other half's surname is Cooper!

[Millipede]

It could well be because he was walking in a 'different' way both my previous cocker Della and Millie could well react in the same way. My other half is in a wheelchair and it has been known for dogs to act in a nervous way to him. They were delighted in puppy class that all the puppies could be socialised around a wheelchair! 

[7733lily]

I honestly believe the little mites have a sixth sense which is very apparent when either of us is down or feeling unwell - the cuddle count seems to go through the roof! BTW, I had to smile at your babies names as we have a Dylan, an Oliver and my other half's surname is Cooper!

Well I believe this too and IF they are right about him, maybe I should listen to them more about other things instead of just dimissing it as them "being silly"  
Oh do you, how funny  

[7733lily]

It could well be because he was walking in a 'different' way both my previous cocker Della and Millie could well react in the same way. My other half is in a wheelchair and it has been known for dogs to act in a nervous way to him. They were delighted in puppy class that all the puppies could be socialised around a wheelchair! 

It could well be, although they have been around wheelchairs, people with sticks, walking frames etc with no affect
To me he's by far not the strangest looking person we've come across but maybe just his walk was enough for them 

[twiceover2]

One of our neighbours is disabled.  She walks with sticks, is hunched over and also drags one leg.  We always stop to talk but Pippa is very scared of her and barks at her all the time as if she's trying to warn her off.  It is quite embarrassing as she isn't like this with anyone else and the lady is lovely.  I keep hoping Pippa will get used to her but she seems to be stuck in her bigoted view!

[7733lily]

One of our neighbours is disabled.  She walks with sticks, is hunched over and also drags one leg.  We always stop to talk but Pippa is very scared of her and barks at her all the time as if she's trying to warn her off.  It is quite embarrassing as she isn't like this with anyone else and the lady is lovely.  I keep hoping Pippa will get used to her but she seems to be stuck in her bigoted view!

Well this is it, if they take a dislike to someone, fair enough we can't like everyone, but to dislike them because they are disabled....

[7733lily]

Oh, forgot to mention, then a few hundred yards along there was a man in a hoody standing waiting for the bus and I had to drag Dylan past him (well perhaps not drag but took quite a bit of "encouragement" as he was really digging his heels in) he was having none of going anywhere near him (not usually an issue, lots of people in hoodies where we live  ) the disabled man obviously really freaked him out

[Emilyoliver]

I get like that - if i get a fright, thereafter every little movement makes me jump.

But would definitely 'listen' to what they're telling you.  Wish I'd been more attentive to Ollie with respect to his feelings about my last two partners...

[7733lily]

Its funny, people must think I'm mad, but as we went past the man I said to Dylan (well supposedly to Dylan) "its ok, if there's a problem, I'll sort it out" whilst marching authoritatively past, shoulders back, head held high   just to let him know that if he was planning on anything I was ready for him   (funnily enough Dylan did respond to that and immediately came with me, he obviously believed me  )
Hmm, you're right, they can pick up on so many things that we have lost the ability to....very clever doggies  

[rednblack]

One of our neighbours is disabled.  She walks with sticks, is hunched over and also drags one leg.  We always stop to talk but Pippa is very scared of her and barks at her all the time as if she's trying to warn her off.  It is quite embarrassing as she isn't like this with anyone else and the lady is lovely.  I keep hoping Pippa will get used to her but she seems to be stuck in her bigoted view!

Well this is it, if they take a dislike to someone, fair enough we can't like everyone, but to dislike them because they are disabled....

It's difficult and embarrassing for humans, but I wonder if it is linked to dogs' sense of smell (or what ever it is) which enables them to pick up human illnesses such as epilepsy, diabetes and cancer - I think there was a thread earlier about this.
Pippa and Dylan may be picking up on an illness, or possibly medication, (which may or may not be associated with the disability) and it is worrying them.