mortified!

just got back from a walk with the woodster and i am mortified. he went to sniff another dog(spaniel) who was really placid and friendly and woody sort of snarled at him. woody has never done this before in 13 months and i was absolutely mortified - the bloke looked at me like " yeh thats one of them nasty staffies". i said sorry he's normally so friendly and scuttled off.

im hoping this was a one-off as like i say he hasnt done it before and socialisation is key. i'm clinging to a theory that woody is wary of spaniels, after another spaniel that frequents the field near us has gone for woody,unprovoked, on a number of occasions (always off lead - another story). do you think this is the case and i should be wary of letting him near other spaniels?

Hmmm, not sure, I would maybe introduce him to another calm spaniel in a controlled way and see how he reacts? You cant really say that he's funny with spaniels unless he's reacted that way a few times. Good luck, I hope it was just a one-off.

nicolalouises wrote:woody sort of snarled at him.

What do you mean by 'sort of'?

Was it just a 'sound' or a snort, or a real growl?

it wasnt a proper growl but more just a snort kinda noise but not in a nice way if you know at i mean

I wonder if there was some other sort of scent on the dog?

Round our way, there are badgers & foxes. If Dempsey smells badger he'll go all out to get to it, but if he smells fox he ignores it - unless it's on another dog. A couple of weeks ago a guy with a Spaniel - tiny submissive think that rolls onto its back as soon as Dempsey sniffs it - said his dog had been rolling in fox poo. As Dempsey sniffed at her he suddenlt snorted really loudly & scared the living daylights out of the poor girl. Then he kept sniffing & snorting her all over, with his hackles raised & tail up & stiff.

there are quite a few spaniels goon the field so i'll try him with another one - thanks for the advice.

Caryll -maybe a scent too so i'll let you know how we get on today

good luck

I know how you feel. Jethro is very good with other dogs.. and he even likes cats! We get frogs and lizards here, we have sheep and a goat and chooks.. he is great with them all. When he was at the vets with his haematoma in his ear a few months back a bloke came in with a boxer. All the other dogs gave it a hard time so the bloke looked at the seat next to me and I said "Its okay Jethro is really good with other dogs... sit here" ( What an idiot!! ) The bloke hadn't even sat down when Jethro lunged at this poor boxer dog! I wanted the ground to swallow me up! All I can think is that maybe Jethro was in so much pain with his haematoma. So I am never saying that again to anyone..next time I am going to say " He is NORMALLY good with other dogs! "

we're off out again shortly as the sun is shining for a chnage and i have a day off - fingers crossed woddy isnt feeling out of sorts today! ah poor jethro but im glad im not alone!

Alot of mentally powerful dogs i mean if he is balance they sometimes don't like weakness around them and if the spaniel showed too much while being submisive he might of done it as if he was saying i don't want weakness, instibility around me or simply grow a pair in dog terms.
hope all goes well.

Hope all goes well today and enjoy your day off, and the weather (not too peeved being stuck at work!) Moo hates boxers, she is fine with any dog just not boxers, haven't a clue why, I just get her to stay with me when we see one!

woody must have been having a little moment yesterday.just got back froma trek up to the estuary near me and he met tons of dogs, including a spaniel and was absolutely fine! yay!

i am going to however go witth the theory above about growing a pair as i love it!

nicolalouises wrote:

i am going to however go witth the theory above about growing a pair as i love it!