A young man from Montana has survived a bear attack, thanks to the quick thinking of his loyal dogs. The incident occurred when 24-year-old Riley Peters was out hiking in the mountains with his two dogs.

Suddenly, a grizzly bear appeared and started charging towards him. Peters initially froze in fear, but his dogs quickly sprang into action, running towards the bear and barking aggressively to distract it.

How the dogs saved Peters

The dogs, a 7-year-old golden retriever named Maverick and a 4-year-old mixed breed named Dakota, stayed between Peters and the bear, barking and snapping their jaws. Their bravado worked: the bear became disoriented and started to back up.

The dogs then chased it away, giving Peters the chance to escape.

Peters was quoted as saying, “If it wasn’t for them (the dogs), I probably wouldn’t be here right now.”.

The importance of dog’s training and instinct

This story highlights the importance of dog training and the instinctual nature of their behavior.

Dogs, especially those who have hunting or guarding instincts, are often used as protectors, and their ability to sense danger and act accordingly can be incredibly useful in situations like this one.

According to animal behaviorist Amelia Edwards, dogs’ ability to use threat display, such as barking and growling, is often enough to deter animals like bears.

“In some cases, the bear may be startled enough by the dogs’ behavior that it will retreat,” she says.

Dogs as protectors

Examples of dogs acting as protectors are numerous. In 1995, a Doberman Pinscher named Khan saved a baby from a deadly snakebite in Johannesburg, South Africa. The dog barked to alert the baby’s parents, who rushed him to the hospital in time.

In 2007, a Yorkshire Terrier named Smokey saved its owner from falling off a 40-foot cliff by barking and pulling on her pant leg, making her stop before she stepped over the edge. In 2010, a yellow Labrador named Endal became famous for his assistance to his disabled owner, Allen Parton, including saving him from being hit by a car and retrieving items for him.

Conclusion

This story of a young man being rescued from a bear attack is a perfect example of the incredible bond between humans and animals, and the importance of training and instinct. Without his loyal dogs, Peters may not have survived the encounter.

As such, dog owners should take pride in their pets and their ability to protect us from harm.