Attacking non-hostiles question

I can't seem to draw my sword to attack non-hostile things. This doesn't come up as a problem often but for instance, I couldn't attack the racist guys who were attacking my dwarf friend at the very beginning. And for the quest to kill the stray dogs to get the dog tallow. I can't even draw my sword to attack, and I can't select a spell (Igni or Aard) to cast at it.

If something's name is red like a Drowner or Assassin for instance, I have no trouble attacking.

Am I doing something wrong, or is this a bug? I'm fully patched up to the Uncensored director's cut version by the way.

Thanks for the help.

I think pressing the Tab key, forces Geralt to draw his sword. Then you should be able to attack.

The fight to help your friend, if it is the same one I think you mean, needs you to get close enough to trigger a cut scene first, then you can fight.
Dogs and other things can be attacked only at night. Once the clock hits the right time your weapon choices become available to you. Only restriction is if it is something friendly or quest related.

Thanks all. I'll check it out. Kind of stupid, IMO, but whatever. I don't remember how close I got to the racists… maybe not close enough.