Here's an update:
My dog has become a lot less fearful on walks, and usually doesn't growl at people. Last week we were walking in our neighborhood when we saw another small dog (possibly a pug mix) with its owner, on a leash in its yard. I kept my dog close to me as we passed, the other dog owner and I said hi, and the other dog growled at my dog (Poco). Poco did not growl back. After we passed them, the other dog (on a retractable leash, it turns out) ran up to us and went after Poco. It sort of looked like play-wrestling that my chihuahuas used to do, only this dog wasn't playing. Strangely, Poco didn't fight back at all. I expected the dog's owner to remove him immediately, but I guess she was having trouble with the leash, because she couldn't get him off. So I picked up Poco, and didn't get bit and Poco was OK. No bites or scratches on him. The owner apologized profusely and had to untangle me from the leash. I thought this attack would set Poco back but he seems pretty unfazed by it. I am more nervous now though, because I think it could have been a lot worse. The owner thought her dog was scared, but I think it's interesting that he waited until we had passed to attack. Sounds like an aggressive dog to me more than a fearful one. I hope she will be more careful with her dog and stop using a retractable leash. In the meantime, I will be very wary if and when we pass that house again. |