Just got back from walking the dogs. Had to take a portion of the route a little faster so that I could turn a corner before they caught sight of another dog that was being walked, because any sort of dog-on-dog interaction with these two unsocialized twits will inevitably go poorly.
Then, right as we're on the final stretch back into the building, I see that we're going head-on towards the same dog again. I try and reposition the pooches behind a hedge, but they've already spotted the other dog. Curiously though, they didn't start barking... The eldest (and very much the leader in most social situations) actually started making happy excited noises and was acting as though he'd seen an old friend.
It's happened before where a dog will for whatever bizarre reason actually be accepted by them, and I want to encourage as many positive responses as possible, so I moved a little closer and made supportive noises to push home that this was a good experience.
He seemed really into it, and the youngest followed suit and also adopted a "happy to see you again" posture and started wagging. The other owner looked like she was open for the dogs to meet, and her pooch was also looking very happy with the whole affair.
So we get over there, the eldest is looking a little confused (what with not actually knowing the dog he was apparently glad to recognize) but still happy because that's just how the whole thing was going, innit?
They got within sniffing distance, the eldest let out one small growl and then immediately went for the other dog's throat.
Luckily there was no damage done, there was a significant size difference and the other dog had a coat of spongy curls that probably helped prevent anything from happening, but that was still absolutely fucking unacceptable. I tried to reprimand the eldest and get him under control, but then the youngest followed his signals and started yapping his head off incessantly. Between two dogs, leashes, and a bag of poop, it was difficult to get things under control.
I'm kind of ashamed that I even considered that this might have ended differently. I should know by now that there's no hope for a good dog-related experience with them, but I still feel a bit tricked.
To make matters worse, when we were inside the building afterwards all the angry energy went over to happy energy at being back inside again, and he started running around and lunging at his leash in excitement. I was in a righteously foul mood from the experience outside, and ended up correcting him too harshly causing him to flop backwards and slam into the floor. He limped slightly for a few steps towards our door, which made me feel pretty sick with myself.
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Topic: Things that made you sad today thread. (Read 9520626 times)