Hypothetical Scenarios: You are walking your Yorkshire terrier when a jogger passes, your dog barks and runs at them, but does no more. The jogger kicks your dog. Would you attack the jogger?

Your dog was chasing and barking. That is what dogs do when they attack.

Why do dogs attack?

In the case of joggers, runners, bikers, etc., it’s because the motion of the person triggers their prey drive. However, not every dog will naturally decide to chase down and bite someone who’s moving too quickly. Those dogs that do have learned to do it — again, because of human negligence.

It starts with a dog that barks to defend its territory as a jogger runs by. Why does the dog bark? To make that person go away. And what happens when the jogger keeps running? They go away, and the dog has “won.” After this happens repeatedly, the dog learns that barking will make the invader leave, so its excitement level goes up in anticipation. This continued reinforcement really is the definition of

a “vicious cycle.”

Eventually, this increased excitement can lead to the dog becoming bolder and more aggressive to the point of actually rushing toward or chasing the jogger. With enough excitement and unbalanced energy, this may lead to a bite or an attack, and the dog isn’t really consciously doing it.

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A well trained dog does not run after joggers. A well trained dog waits for the master's command before leaving his/her side.

You say your dog has never attacked anyone before (ignoring the difference in definitions), but there is always a first time.

Imagine if your dog bit a child.
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You would have your dog put down and be facing criminal charges.

Yorkshire terriers while small are aggressive dogs.

For all intents and purposes your dog was attacking. Untrained dogs are a hazard and yes, the jogger had every right to kick it.

Train your dog, or give it up.

Read other related questions on Quora:

• You are out walking your Yorkshire Terrier. Someone approaches and without warning goes to pet the dog. The dog snaps and bites them. Could the dog be taken and put down? What could happen?
• Why do small-size dogs bark more?
• My dog loves everyone human or dog. But sometimes he barks at people randomly that walk by us, but is quick to resume his walk when they pass. Why?

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