This week, I had the plumber out to fix the leak and some other jobs. On Tuesday, he came alone and went back and forth between the upstairs bath and the access hatch in the kitchen downstairs to fix the leak. The dogs stayed out back for the duration. Then he worked on the downstairs bathroom. The drains were not draining properly. While the dogs were outside, he snaked the drains to no avail. So he went out the front and around to the back while I brought the dogs inside from the back. He then replaced the drain assembly from under the house. Then he looked at the toilet (that wobbles) and realized he needed another person to assist in that repair. Through it all, the dogs were good. Cat-dog had no issues. Tornado-dog barked on and off but was his happy self. We scheduled the toilet repair for Thursday. As one person would be in the house and the other would be out back, I decided that I would keep Tornado-dog on a leash with me. I knew I could keep Cat-dog from pestering them, so it was just keeping him from trying to play ball with the plumber while he worked. So, with that plan, when they arrived at the house, I brought Tornado-dog out front on the leash to meet the plumber and assistant. The plumber said hello to him and all was good. Then the assistant came to say hello. She did everything right. She let him sniff her hand and she was very nice to him. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he snapped, growled, and ran away from her. He has never done anything like this before. She did nothing to him. But something seriously scared him. He exuded that fear scent afterwards. After that incident, she went under the house and Tornado-dog sat on the couch with me while the plumber worked from inside. Once they finished, she drove off, and the plumber did the paperwork (all electronic). Tornado-dog was his usual self and showed the plumber his hedgehog toy and invited him to play. He showed no signs of any fear or hesitation. But something DID happen. It might have been a smell, or maybe static electricity when he touched her, or maybe even something totally unrelated (like a bee buzzing past at that moment). Whatever it was, it turned my happy friendly dog into a scared dog who snapped. She was very understanding and didn't take offense or anything. I still felt very bad about it. She did everything right and was very nice to him. He wasn't a bad dog or a problem dog. But it still happened. And for that I think it is worth telling. No matter how friendly your dog is. No matter that your dog has never growled or snapped at anyone before. No matter that you do everything right. Sometimes your dog will react in an unexpected manner for some unknown reason. Years ago, I stopped using the phrase "he's friendly" when introducing my dogs to others. I noticed that too often when that phrase is used, people tend to jump past the introductions with the dog. And that sometimes results in the dog getting scared. Instead I say something like "he's a good boy". It doesn't present the same "it's OK to skip the introduction and jump right into getting in the dog's space" assurance that the other does. And if something DOES happen, like yesterday, I don't feel that I mislead anyone or lied about my dog.
Very important lesson. Thank you for sharing. A couple of times in the past, another dog owner has walked up to me and my dog(s) [at the time], and basically shoved their dog at mine, while saying "He's/She's friendly!" Another thing: Children, or even adults, who walk up to you and ask "Can I pet your dog?", but don't wait for an answer. Their hand is on your dog before they finish the question.
I'm lucky that my last two have been ecstatic over receiving attention from all ages and breeds, but I still remember that Eddie and Tweed could change in a flash, and it does make you cautious. We have been at a double champ show today. In the afternoon I walked Tally to the Ladies room to refill her water bottle. On the way I passed an Afghan hound, on a lead and with its owner. Suddenly it lunged - I think it intended to grab Tally but it got my knee instead. i didn't stop to chat, but the owner did seem genuinely shocked. Who knows what goes on in their heads? It's only a small mark, but I would have been really annoyed if he had made contact with Tally.
Tornado-dog has always loved getting attention from people. He has never acted like that before with anyone. And it wasn't like he reacted poorly from the very start - he had sniffed her hand first and seemed fine and then snap. It really was a total surprise. I did ask if she had made a sound to him before he reacted as I know that many people think that clicking or psssting at an animal is calming to it. Both she and the plumber said "animals don't like that" so I felt confident that she didn't do anything like that. I always move my dogs off the path or trail or sidewalk when we come upon someone coming the other way. I've had incidents like you describe and I always make extra room just in case. I've found that surprise lunge can take up that slack in the leash quicker than we owners can react. So I always try to move beyond it just in case - for everyone's safety. I've had some people comment about it - upset because their dog "is friendly" or because they think that means mine aren't. But it's simply because I don't want to risk that any of the dogs will have a bad response for any reason. I would have been upset if that dog had made contact with Tally too!! I had to be careful about the kids approaching when I had Bat-dog. I couldn't trust her with her people fear. I really learned how to watch what is going on around us at all times. I don't really notice I'm doing it until we go walking with Aunt C and I have to point out there's a dog coming in from the left or there's a blind corner coming up so slow down and get a better grip on the leash. It just comes naturally to me to pay attention like that. And to prepare for a potential incident. It's come in very handy with Cat-dog's dog fear. @Azalea I've found that with those who just jump in like that to be firm and direct. As soon as they start moving in, I say "stop" in a firm command. That tends to throw them off enough to stop their approach. If they are kids, I then tell them to always stop and calm down and let the dog approach them. If they are adults, I am more direct and tell them that behavior will get them bit. When I had my rescue corgi mix, I used to take her to adoption days at the pet store to help her learn to trust again. She had been abused and I spent a lot of time teaching her that I was trustworthy and would keep her safe. Being out around other people was one of our exercises. One day, I opened the back of the vehicle to attach her leash and let her out. Out of nowhere, a woman ran up and literally wrapped her arms around the dog's neck and nuzzled her face into the dog. I gave that woman such a shouting at in the parking lot. People were staring. I asked her how she could be so absolutely idiotic to grab a strange dog around the neck and shove her face into the dog. I told her she was going to get herself killed with that behavior. She had the audacity to ask me why I'd bring a "mean dog" out in public. I almost hit her I was so furious. She could have have completely destroyed all the work I had done with that dog. I was truly surprised that the dog hadn't reacted in any way. I honestly don't know many dogs who wouldn't react poorly in that situation.
I felt the same with Ed. As he was competing I put hours into jollying him into allowing dogs to come close to his safe space, only for it to be ruined every couple of weeks by a 'dog in your face'. I shouldn't discriminate but it was usually a Labrador or a Frenchie owner who shouted 'It's OK. He's alright'. Grrrr!
I don't blame you at all for acting that way! I believe there is no such thing as a "mean dog" who is always defensive, or a "friendly dog" who always loves being approached by strangers. I think many dogs would have hated being grabbed like that.
