I used to always ‘correct’ my dogs when they growled or showed their teeth. Then I went to a local dog trainer who said if you don’t allow them to ‘warn’ (i.e. train them not to warn), then their next reaction will be to attack. Makes sense to me. I have never forgot that, and really try to pay attention now when my dogs are ‘warning’ about something.

I actually find it quite fulfulling to try to figure out what my dogs mean by their actions, reactions, and body language (of course, who knows if I’m getting right though)

My dog is a Westie and she’s not overly interested in being friends with every dog she meets. She sometimes meets a dog at the park who she instigates a play session with, but mostly she likes to hunt and sniff in the bushes for prey.

When she’s approached by big dogs, I always warn the owners that she will probably bite and to keep away. Polly gives no verbal warning and goes from sniffing and circling to attack. Big dog owners can’t believe that their dog is at risk and usually don’t listen – with disastrous results for their dog’s snout.

I’m getting Polly a new Westie to play with and having read your posts, I’ve got some great plans for introducing the new puppy safely so that Polly doesn’t see her as an (expensive) snack

One time I met this clueless individual in the park who let his two little chihuahuas run around free-range even when he had absolutely no voice control over them. True, they are small dogs, but it is really unfair to the other dogs that have to endure rude yipping and invasion of space without being able to give an appropriate response.

I asked him to remove his dog from my Shiba’s space. He carried his dog 2 feet away and put him down again. DOH! Of course the dog came right back. Then he said that his dog wouldn’t be able to hurt my dog – DOH! but *my* dog can surely hurt his dog and then it will be bad news for everyone.

I seriously don’t understand what that guy was thinking. Even if we do not care about other people and other people’s dogs, we should at least care enough about our own dog to keep him safe by not letting him harass other dogs that could very easily kick his ass.

He becomes uncomfortable with strangers very easily, and barks to let them know he doesn’t want them coming near.

Yeah I think dogs are pretty clear when communicating to us that they are uncomfortable with people or other dogs crowding their space. Many people continue to give the dog eye contact though, which may continue to make the dog uncomfortable.

In general, I think the most difficult case is dealing with loose neighborhood dogs that are “friendly”, rush right up to you, invade your dogs space, and start getting in his face. Shania is a bit fearful when it comes to meeting other dogs and it is very unfair to subject her to rude dog greeting behavior. Quite simply -

People with no off-leash control should not leave their dogs off-leash.

You would be surprised how many people are so taken aback at this reaction!

We know he’s not always friendly, but we do know that he won’t hurt them. He’d rather run away and hide.

Also thank you very much for sending over photos of Zeus. Let me know if you want me to change anything on your poem.

Even when properly socialized not all dogs like other dogs.

This is very true. Many people think that if their dog gets along with the other dogs at home it means that he will be friendly with all other dogs – which is not true. Family members are clearly very different from somebody new on the street.