[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Britster

This.

Also, sometimes puppies can benefit from being corrected in a nice way. But not on leash... leashes often cause tension and I don't really like puppies meeting other dogs on leash, unless they are puppies themselves, etc. It spells disaster for me.

I see so many people come into the dog park and keep their dog on a leash and it just makes things worse. The dog on leash feels vulnerable, the other dogs look at it as weaker than they are, the leash gets all tangled from the pup on leash doing circles not knowing what to do, etc. The same thing happens when people pick up their dogs -- however, with that said, if a dog is in harms way, of course picking it up is okay. It's just something that, in general, I'd advise against unless necessary.

Basically, just learn doggy body language. I can tell when a dog is focused in on mine, or doesn't really seem friendly, or is lunging, etc, and I won't let them meet. Jackson had to learn that he does not have to meet every single dog we walk by and he's fine with it. He can easily walk right by a barking, lunging, uncontrollable dog and be fine. But I've seen owners who clearly have no control of their dogs saying "Oh, he's so friendly!" but I will just politely walk by lol.

I'm 100 percent on board with Brit's reply. Dogs can behave differently on leash and when carried. Eddie is a therapy dog who's been through more obedience courses than I can count. But he has been known to snap at other dogs when I'm carrying him or when he's on leash. In those situations, I watch his body language like a hawk. If he's agitated, I don't allow other dogs to approach.

Off-leash, he can handle just about any situation. I watch him, but I trust him more. Confined, I expect the worst.

While all dogs aren't as surly as Eddie can be, I always expect the worst out of unknown dogs. You were right to be protective in that situation. Bottom line is to protect your dog. You want to socialize him, but you want to do it in situations that are most likely going to lead to success.