nervous agression issue

lizzie157

I have posted before about this problem but just wanted opinions please. I took my dog jess, out with a relatives dog meg, which I look after quite regularly and we met up with a lady whose dog ben, my dog usually gets on with. (I don't let jess near any dog unless I know she is ok with them as she is v. snappy due to being nervous) Unfortunately as meg was fussing round ben, he grumbled a bit and jess then snapped at him, at which point he bared his teeth at her and she jumped on his back snapping and snarling catching his ear in the process and making it bleed. The lady didn't seem that bothered but I am really upset, jess usually plays happily with ben so do i now have to stop jess playing with him in the future because she can't be trusted or put it down to protectiveness of meg. I am doing my utmost to try and prevent her displaying this behaviour and wouldn't have let her near him if I had thought this would happen.

Sally_A

I guess Jess was just being overprotective of Meg.

However, Jess probably picked up on your fear when you bumped into Ben. And took it the wrong way. Ben's owner sounds chilled about the whole rough and tumble, so fair play to her/him.

Next time, I'd say meet the owner for a friendly chit chat, and if the dogs see you being relaxed, they should follow suit.

Dogs are always more defensive if they are on a lead,if you are in safe place so they can all be off a lead, it is a much more relaxed situation for intermingling.

lizzie157

Tbh I was relaxed and chatting with Ben's owner and they were all off lead. I admit that I now am not v. relaxed when meeting up with dogs we don't know but it's v. hard not to be when you know what's coming. Have tried distraction etc think maybe need to go back to basics and build back up. thanks for the reply sally.

zaksmum

My dog Lucy snapped at one of her little doggy friends over a food issue and left him with a puncture bite wound on his head - she got his whole head in her mouth and God knows what would've happened if her collar hadn't been instantly grabbed.

She's since seen him every day and is absolutely fine with him.

See how Jess and Ben are next time they meet. Hopefully it was a one off.