Feeling a bit shaken - just took our 2YO standard poodle out for a walk and came across a group of dogs who she's played with before. Shouted, can we join you, they said yes, I let her off the lead. 30 seconds later, she and a smaller dog (I think a pitbull?) are growling and biting at each other. Myself and the other owner pull them apart and everyone puts their dog on a lead. Both dogs are fine although the pitbull looks a bit shaken. Mine is worryingly unfazed. I took her home immediately and I think she knows she's in the doghouse.
I didn't see which dog started it but have a sinking feeling it's mine. She's usually absolutely fine and adores playing with other dogs, but in the last few months there's been about two occasions where she's snapped at another dog - usually one that's as big or nearly as big as her. She's never so much as barked at a human and is actively scared of most people she's never met before.
Does anyone have any advice? I'm worried that we're going to become pariahs in our little dog walking community, which would be such a shame as my dog loves playing with other dogs so much. However, obviously if this is going to happen more frequently I can't let her play around other dogs for fear of them getting hurt.
As a bit of background, we got her when she was 7 months old - she'd been living with her elderly breeder and the last few poodles in her litter. She was smallest and weakest of them and extremely nervous when she came to us.
Please help - I don't know how to stop her getting into fights without removing her completely from other dogs on the off chance...