My dog went for another dog....

[Martorana]

She is 5. Fit and healthy. We were in a pub garden and another dog came up to say hello-they had a sniff and a wag- then she suddenly went for him. Other dog fought back but she definitely started it. Dp grabbed her and the other dog was jumping up trying to get her until his owner came out of the pub and got him. She has never, ever done this before- we meet other dogs all the time and if anything she is the submissive one. What shall we do? Could it be a one off- or should we muzzle her?

Thank you. It was such a shock. She has never even barked at anyone, human or dog before- except one poor Amazon delivery man the Christmas before last........Is 2 funny turns in 5 years acceptable?

I had a collie that was Mrs sensible and she used to have the odd occasion with make digs. Usually when they attempted to bonk her
I really wouldn't worry about it

That should read, with MALE DOGS!

Was she on a lead whilst this other dog was roaming free? That can sometime be unsettling for them.

It is normal for dogs to sometimes not meet well if one or both are on lead. I avoid dogs at all costs if my dog is on a lead. It interferes with their communication. Also, I'm assuming your dog was in a small space? This wouldn't have helped.

Did either of the dogs come away with injuries? Most aggression is ritualised. Few result in injuries. If either sustained an injury then you should probably contact a good force free trainer (through the PPG/APDT/APBC). If not, keep an eye.

As a rule I don't allow my dog to meet strange dogs. She can be around them but I don't need/want them to play/meet.

My 2 year old bitch is great with other dogs out and about when she has plenty of space to evade them if she gets bothered. If we try to sit at a table, say at a pub, she is much more bothered about other dogs and will have a go. I think this is mostly anxiety about feeling in a confined space, but there may also be a bit of guarding going on. I will no longer put her in that situation as it's tricky, but then it's not just a one off for us. If your dog is usually submissive, there may well be an anxiety element for her as well.