Under Attack? Stay Calm and Look for Cultural Clues

My dog, Gabby, and I came under attack while on our morning stroll around the neighborhood. Three ferocious dogs muscled their backyard gate open and formed a circle around Gabby who immediately sat down and kept still.

She displayed absolutely no signs of aggression even though I still had her on the leash. I took my cues from her figuring she knew more about dogs than I ever will. My eyes stayed focused on her face. I couldn’t tell you what the attack dogs looked like – what breed they were, or color.

A little voice inside my head told me to plant both feet sideways between one of the dogs and Gabby. I summoned my deepest, scariest dog-owner voice and said firmly, “Get away.” I commanded the attackers to leave, again and again, pointing my finger in the opposite direction from where Gabby and I were headed. “Go away.”

Well, guess what. The leader of the pack turned and ran in that direction, with its two amigos right on its tail. When the pack’s owner came out to see what was going on, Gabby and I were standing our ground and the mean dogs were running like the wind.   “They went that- away,” I told the dogs' owner.

Never underestimate the power of a woman with a smart dog.

Many people today are stockpiling weapons and ammunition because they believe they are the answer to crime, terrorism and aggression. This story, however, demonstrates clearly that cultural intelligence - knowledge of the needs, beliefs, fears, values and desires of the people (or creatures) attacking us - is a reliable weapon though it is often overlooked.

If only we could go to a show this weekend to buy boxes of cultural intelligence for use during our next dispute or confrontation!  Well, we can’t - not yet.  For the moment, the only way to acquire it is to step outside of our cultural comfort zone. Intelligence is a dividend paid those who dare to reach across the faultlines of religion, age, gender and sexual orientation.  In a global village, it is both a secure investment and hot commodity.

Had Gabby and I not struggled earlier in our relationship, I never would have bothered to read books about animal behavior. If I had not attended dog training classes, my guess is I would be writing this post from my hospital bed. (One million people seek medical attention each year for dog bites.)

Clawing our way through a maze of differences is challenging, but one day the intelligence gained from those conflicts and tensions will do us - and our community - a lot of good.

The rules apply whether we are dealing with hate groups or growling dogs.  We need to use more brainpower and rely less on government, laws and law enforcement to do the heavy lifting for us.

Next time you are under attack, don’t reach for a gun - reach inside the store room in your mind for the intelligence that you have bought and paid for with trials and tribulations.

 I'll offer a few of my own rules and encourage you to contribute additional suggestions below:

1) Stand strong; don't show aggression and don't attack.

2) Check your emotions. Screaming, yelling and cursing will escalate the situation and increase danger.

3) Look to others in your pack for clues.  Follow the lead of the person (or dog) with the greatest expertise.

4) Be firm.  Decide you will not allow verbal attacks and demeaning words to change your mood or the way you feel about yourself.

5) If possible, seek win-win opportunities so every participant can save face. 

 

(If you have a question or wish to contact me, email me at theculturalcoach@aol.com)

Comments

[Jazz]

Never underestimate the power of a smart woman with a smart dog! Y'all are the Dynamic Duo.

[dissertaion help]

Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!