Off lead dogs encounter

Whilst walking Charlie one day last week and again today we've met 2 different dogs off the lead. Both times we have been walking back to the car after having some off lead time. Last week Charlie was on his harness, we had a bit of a hill to walk up so I allowed him to pull ahead, one to help tire him out and two to help me up lol. As we got to the car park we met a red setter. I stopped, Charlie sat and I allowed him to say hello. (not that I had a choice as the dog came on over) As I called Charlie to come away the other dog started growling and barking. I pulled Charlie away and tried to continue walking but the other dog kept on and didnt listen to his owner. Mean while Charlie was barking back but did not sound aggressive to me, more of a get stuffed. I managed to get Charlie to the car and had a mumbled apology from the bloke who said his dog had never done that before.
Today a very similar encounter with a black lab. On way back to the car, Charlie on his halti. 2 labs with owner and no leads. I got Charlie to sit, one lab came over had a sniff and went for Charlie. I started walking away and the lab followed still growling and barking. Again this owner made the 'he's never done that' excuse and 'he's young he just wants to play' Charlie made no noise today so I gave him lots of praise etc.
So what I am beginning to wonder is, is it just unfortunate that we have encountered dogs that just dont like Charlie or is Charlie giving off some type of signal to instigate it?
To me he didnt seem over excited, just calm and a little curious.

I have heard of this happening to dogs who have docked tails or cropped ears because other dopgs can't pick up signals as easily.

JillyNala wrote:I have heard of this happening to dogs who have docked tails or cropped ears because other dopgs can't pick up signals as easily.

This is exactly what I think of dogs having parts chopped off, others dogs cannot read the signs so well and it caused frustration, understandably.

The link below may help you to read signs at least:

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/dogbodylanguage.html

Other people are not considerate some times we have had same trouble with off lead dogs

Yes we have had our fair share of loose dogs, dont go there.

I too have had a run in with some off lead owners. Seem they too quick to say, oh my dog has never done this before.

it's the luck of the draw unfortunately , so long as you are in control of your dog apart from a few choice words there's not a lot you can really do

I don't imagine it's anything Charlie's doing, just the bad luck of running into dogs whose owners aren't in complete control. Shame, but as long as you have control of Charlie, you're not going to be at fault. I'm lucky, the only off-lead dogs Loki has met have been very well-trained, responding to their owners well and leaving Loki when they tell them to. I'm sure one day I'll have such an experience, because that's just life