I have twice given that sort of look and stuck my hand in my

by Paul , Thursday, June 07, 2012, 21:29 (4553 days ago) @ stonewalrus

The only time I've ever pulled a weapon down here it was a knife, and that was to let the pitbull's owners know that it was NOT going to touch my beagle. It sensed something as well, but was still too focused on my dog. They called it back immediately. A couple other times all I've had to do is look at folks. Be polite, but ready for anything. One was a guy who asked for a coin - with a knife in his hand. A polite refusal sent him on his way. The other time it was a kid who thought he'd nab a camera or cell phone from a bunch of tourists I was shepherding 'round town. When he quit looking at the sheep long enough to see the sheepdog staring at him he changed his mind.

Predators can usually tell who's ready to bite back and who'll just roll over and play 'possum.