Why do you think the bear doesn't attack until Lyddie is up the ladder?

Although having a bear in their cabin was a terrifying experience for the Worthen family, the bear did not attack them. There are two reasons why the bear did not come after the people and everyone was able to make it safely up the ladder. First, the bear was not in defensive mode, so it was not likely to attack. The bear was hungry and curious; the smell of cooking oatmeal drew it to the...

Although having a bear in their cabin was a terrifying experience for the Worthen family, the bear did not attack them. There are two reasons why the bear did not come after the people and everyone was able to make it safely up the ladder. First, the bear was not in defensive mode, so it was not likely to attack. The bear was hungry and curious; the smell of cooking oatmeal drew it to the cabin, and because Charlie had left the door ajar, the bear simply followed its nose into the cabin. Lyddie realizes that is the case, and she tells her family members, "It's all right as long as nobody gets upset. Just take it nice and gentle, ey?"

Second, Lyddie maintains eye contact with the bear and moves carefully so as not to startle it. Her fierce stare keeps it in check until she is up the ladder. The bear then rushes in toward the ladder, but still there is no indication it is hostile rather than curious. However, when Charlie hits the bear in the nose with the ladder as he is drawing it up into the loft, the bear roars in pain and rears up on its hind legs. This is the most aggressive posture it displays. Lyddie is able to lock eyes with it again, and it drops to all fours and begins nosing around the cabin in search of food. The clumsy bear bumbles about the cabin and finally discovers the oatmeal. Not realizing it is hot, the bear scalds its nose, then manages to get the kettle stuck on its head covering its eyes. It finds its way out of the cabin and into the bush. 

According to the website Bearsmart.com, Lyddie's reaction to the bear was similar to the way experts advise one to behave in the presence of a black bear. The site explains that those who find themselves face to face with a black bear should make and hold eye contact and speak firmly to it, telling it to leave. Although Lyddie did not yell at the bear, she "glared straight into the bear's eyes, daring him to step forward into the cabin." Her dominant posture and gaze were important parts of keeping the bear from becoming aggressive.