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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dog reacted to another dog

23 replies

Tresfren · 02/04/2023 18:07

One year old lab staff cross female was on lead and led down on her belly to the side of the main path on some grass. We aim to give other dogs space as she can be a bit intense with other dogs and we don't automatically assume every owner wants to interact. Another dog on lead came up to her uninvited, stood over her sniffing and licking - owner didn't really check with us if it was OK and our dog suddenly reacted badly by biting other dogs ear hair. No blood or visible injury and we very soon pulled them apart. Both dogs were ok and immediately placid after we'd pulled them apart. Our dog didn't try to continue to fight.

Other owner became hysterical. Said it would be a police matter, started shouting at other owners walking by to stay away from our dog as if she was a monster. We obviously gave our details in case of any injury but other owner rang since to say no sign of any injury despite all her screaming in park.

The whole episode has really upset me and Ive been so upset. I'm ashamed my dog reacted this way as she's never nipped or bitten before. She was in day care last week mixing with other dogs and they have never had a bad word to say about her. She had also been off lead in the park only 10 minutes before and ignored the other dogs to play fetch. The owners reaction also really escalated things - talk of police, saying she's never seen a lab behave like that, telling owners nearby to stay away as if she's 50kg off lead and out of control. She's not even 20kg and was on lead entire time.

For a while after the incident I was looking at my dog differently and questioning if we've done something wrong in how we raise her. She's a real sweetheart with people but has sometimes been reactive or tried to play rough with other dogs.

Well be even more vigilant going forward but I'm wondering what else to do to soften this reactive streak. She goes to daycare once or twice a month and socialises with other dogs but that's it.

When I walk her and see other dogs I now cross the road to avoid them as dont want any issues with dogs or their owners.

I'm not sure if she may be coming into season and if that may make her more reactive. We haven't seen all the signs but she is the right age.

OP posts:

Aria20 · 02/04/2023 18:26

I bet she is coming into season - my dog got a bit snappy around her first season and it was very out of character. The only other time she was snappy was an ear infection and she understandably didn't want another dog in her face.

pigsDOfly · 02/04/2023 18:27

So the other owner just let her dog come over to yours and start interacting?

Not all dogs are happy to be sniffed and licked by strange dogs, maybe she should have kept her dog under better control.

My dog doesn't like being sniff by other dogs, and will sometimes growl if another dog become too insistent.

I don't know much about in season bitches but I know that they can be a bit sensitive and emotional, so maybe yours just didn't want to be bothered by the other dog. She'd ignored it before maybe she just didn't want anything to do with it.

Sounds like no harm was actually done.

Obviously ignore the whole talk of police, she's being ridiculous. Police aren't interested even if a one badly attacks another.

I'm sure it's nothing you've done wrong.

Sapin · 02/04/2023 18:30

She’s being ridiculous. My pup got bitten last weekend and there’s absolutely no way I’d have reacted like the woman you described - how ludicrous. Move on, don’t be afraid to call to other owners to get their dog back and don’t worry, these things happen.

Original poster

Tresfren · 02/04/2023 18:36

Thanks for your replies. Its knocked my confidence a bit as I'm first time dog owner but I've tried to always be responsible and do the right things. It hurt to hear someone talk about my girl like she's an agressive monster and for a few brief moments I was worried police could do something but on reflection its ridiculous and the owner was really overreacting.

OP posts:

6namechang3 · 02/04/2023 18:36

It all sounds a bit ridiculous, dogs have sharp teeth and if they really want to fight they can tear chunks out each other very quickly. Dogs can make a lot of snapping, snarling and nipping actions without hurting each other. No dog was hurt , keep your dog calm and maybe away from other dogs for a few days to decompress?

Original poster

Tresfren · 02/04/2023 18:40

6namechang3 · 02/04/2023 18:36

Yes my dog has very powerful jaws but didn't draw blood so it was probably a warning to stay away. Owner acted like it was a full on attack though. I'm also heavily pregnant so more emotional than I normally would be.

OP posts:

bondsy · 02/04/2023 18:44

I think dogs, like humans, just sometimes take a disliking to someone else. Maybe there is no other reason other than she didn't like the way the other dog was approaching/sniffing her and it was her way of just saying 'back off a bit'.

Suzi888 · 02/04/2023 18:46

Advocate for your dog OP.

Other owner was at fault, not your dog. Your dog reacted in the only way she knows how. If she really wanted to bite /attack she would have, it was a warning to get out of her space!

She may also be protecting you, you’re pregnant so who knows what your dog may pick up on.

💐 Take it easy.

Campervangirl · 02/04/2023 18:51

Nothing wrong with your dog or you, the other owner should have checked with you before allowing their dog to approach, your ddog didn't like it and gave the other dog a shot across the bow.
It's her way of saying "I'm not in the mood, bugger off"
The other owner is an arsehole.
My ddog is very reactive, I shout "not friendly" to anyone approaching with their dog.
I soften this by adding "neither is the dog!"😁
I also agree if she's coming into season that could make her snappy.

Windingdown · 02/04/2023 18:51

Sounds like you and your dog tried to do the right thing and the other dog invaded her space uninvited. I think when this happens dogs often do 'tell the other dog off' and that most dog owners expect and expect this. It's how puppies learn not to over step the mark and how to just be a dog around other dogs. The other dog owner was either inexperienced, over reacting or very nervous.

No harm was done, except perhaps to your confidence. Not saying you and your dog need this at all, but perhaps going to some group dog/puppy training classes might help you build your confidence. We certainly found that it was us not our dog who learned most and grew more confident when we went to classes.

Original poster

Tresfren · 02/04/2023 18:51

Suzi888 · 02/04/2023 18:46

Advocate for your dog OP.

Other owner was at fault, not your dog. Your dog reacted in the only way she knows how. If she really wanted to bite /attack she would have, it was a warning to get out of her space!

She may also be protecting you, you’re pregnant so who knows what your dog may pick up on.

💐 Take it easy.

I wish I had stood ground and defended my girl more. I was in shock at whole situation and didn't want a full on confrontation with owner while she was so dramatic.

OP posts:

Chuck2015 · 02/04/2023 18:52

Not your fault, your dog was under control
and it’s ludicrous for other owners to expect all dogs to automatically ‘get on’ without any prior knowledge of the other dog. My dog has a long term injury and I have this issue all the time. He wears a yellow bandana and it helps a little but the best advice I can give you is to own your dog and her character. She’s absolutely within her right not to want to interact with all other dogs and that’s why you try and give her the space she needs. It’s not ideal that she was put in this situation so just try and be more upfront about her having space in future. In terms of the law, the other owner is wrong if her dog wasn’t under control.

Suzi888 · 02/04/2023 18:59

Try to put it out of your mind now OP, your dog has probably forgotten all about it.

Completely the other person at fault, not you and not your girl.

longtompot · 02/04/2023 19:05

Dogs can be more reactive if on the lead as they feel they can't get away. This other owner know they were in the wrong by letting their dog come up to yours and reacted that way to deflect from them. Your dog has done nothing wrong, and you are doing nothing wrong. Don't let this colour how you see your dog.

HazyDragon · 02/04/2023 19:10

There are lots of dog owners that are like this unfortunately.

They let their dogs run up to others, jump all over them and then start boo hooin' when the dog tells their's to bugger off.

If this owner is going to let her dog approach unknown dogs without invitation, then this is a situation she needs to get used to.

Moanycowbag · 02/04/2023 19:31

You did nothing wrong except allow the other to approach, if my dog is on her lead then we don't interact with other dogs, and if an off lead dog approaches then I will do my best to block them, as I see it as my job to protect her so she doesn't feel the need to ever feel she has tp protect me.

NaturalStudy · 02/04/2023 19:33

Unless she's in season don't start avoiding other dogs. This was no doubt a once in a while "telling off" and not a serious issue but if you start avoiding other dogs DDog will pick up on it and it might become an issue. Be confident in your dog and continue as you were before. All reasonable owners expect a bit of a cross word between dogs once in a while and don't make a big deal of it.

Newpeep · 02/04/2023 20:00

Dog bites with intent are generally silent. Handbags are noisy. If a dog wants to do damage it will. They don’t miss and they are very quick. Sounds like your dog was being very restrained. Onlead greetings have no value so I don't allow them as a rule. Body language is really messed up. The other owner was totally in the wrong. Your dog just said naff off in the only way she could.

Hillcrest2022 · 02/04/2023 20:35

I would never let my dog run up to a dog on a lead so the other owner was in the wrong. as for taking precautions, the best things you can do are to stand between your dog if on the lead and an approaching dog by locking their approach and ensuring your dog has great recall if she is off lead.
But again, I don't think you or your dog did anything wrong here and she was being ridiculous.

shutthewindownow · 02/04/2023 20:58

You will learn to ignore these stupid people who go mad over normal dog behaviour. No harm was done. Your dog told her dog off that is all. Things like this do happen from time to time and you get used to it when you have always had dogs. Some dogs take a dislike to another dog it's perfectly normal. The police do not get involved with a dog on dog incident and I wouldn't have even given my details to be honest. It's is usually all the noise that makes it seem so much worse when actually there is no harm done atall.

bamboonights · 02/04/2023 21:05

Suzi888 · 02/04/2023 18:46

Advocate for your dog OP.

Other owner was at fault, not your dog. Your dog reacted in the only way she knows how. If she really wanted to bite /attack she would have, it was a warning to get out of her space!

She may also be protecting you, you’re pregnant so who knows what your dog may pick up on.

💐 Take it easy.

100% agree with this. Owners really should study canine behaviour-the other owner was just escalating the hysteria of two dogs communicating normally.

Whenharrymetsmelly · 02/04/2023 21:08

bamboonights · 02/04/2023 21:05

100% agree with this. Owners really should study canine behaviour-the other owner was just escalating the hysteria of two dogs communicating normally.

Show quote history

All dog owners should get proper training for their dogs, irresponsible not to

Rainbowstripes · 03/04/2023 22:47

Other dog owner was definitely in the wrong - they should have checked before letting their dog in your space and sound like they were really dramatic. However I'd also encourage you to be your dogs advocate going forward and don't let people bring their dogs into your dogs space when it's on a lead. Ultimately when they are on a lead they are trapped and her reaction was her way of telling the other dog she was unhappy - I'd try not to put her in this position going forward. My dogs really friendly and loves everyone and I don't let him interact with dogs I don't know as the goal is for him to be chilled and relaxed around other dogs - I want him to be pretty neutral and not feeling like he needs to get involved with them (he could also be a bit 'too much' although has chilled out with careful socializing with the right dogs). I hope you're okay it sounds like a stressful situation

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