Conqustador and his dogs

The conquistador is by Barzo and the dogs are some old metal figures that were some sort of fantasy monster dogs to go with small scale figures. but they look fine with 54mm. A poplar choice of warhound was the Irish wolfhound.

I haven't used dogs in my wargames but I have often wondered how their owners would confine their attacks to the enemy. Perhaps the enemy, n some cases, had a different scent or appearance, as might have been the case with the Aztecs. Does anyone know the answer?