[Mickcident]

My lab/boxer mix rescue Mick is pretty good on leash...until he sees another dog. As soon as he sees another dog he starts pulling like crazy. I didn't notice anything aggressive until this morning. We were out walking on a quiet trail and a large white dog came down the trail. He did his usual pull, the other dog was pulling as well and then he crouched down low (I can't remember if it was a playbow as I was trying to restrain him) and started barking. He's never done this before while on leash. I basically had to sit on him to keep him from pulling my arm off.

Anyway, my question is, does Mick want to play with these other dogs or is he being offensive? How can I tell? When he plays with us he barks and growls a little but today I couldn't differentiate (probably because I was scared he'd break loose).

Would love any advise!

[threenorns]

tail posture: up high could be friendly confidance, could be attack - if it's flopping about side to side, that's better - if it's up stiff like a shark fin and tick-tocking rhythmically = very bad sign.

tail level with the back = better than up high, neutral, could go either way.

tail hanging loose down = blank mind, minding his own business, oh, look - a dog. how nice.

tail tucked under = frightened.


ears:

ears angled forward and pricked high = alert attention - he's targetting something, could be prepping to go on the attack.

ears kind of mid-position = neutral

ears folded back = submission (could mean a fight if the dog is frightened)


body: when a dog is stiff and "puffed up", with his hackles (the fur along the spine) raised, that's bad.

body kinda loose - think boxers when they're just kind of jogging in place and shaking their hands - neutral, minding his own business.

body low to the ground - human equivalent "loose knees" = frightened dog.


eyes: staring, not blinking - very very bad sign, avert your gaze, do not speak, and get your dog turned around. just leave.

eyes averted = "i'm not looking for trouble"

[CorkyMax]

body low to the ground - human equivalent "loose knees" = frightened dog.

I always thought that was a play bow. My 2 do it when they want to play with one another.

[threenorns]

no, no - that's front end low, arse end up high, ears pricked but not angled forward, jaw loose open, perhaps head canted, and tail up high (unless an extremely submissive dog in which case it'd be low) - i'm talking the entire body level low, like they're walking on eggshells.

[Mickcident]

I'm having a hard time recalling exactly what happened so I'll just be cautious. More socialization is in order I think as he's had 3 different homes in 3 years. I can't wait until classes start. Thanks!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by threenorns

no, no - that's front end low, arse end up high, ears pricked but not angled forward, jaw loose open, perhaps head canted, and tail up high (unless an extremely submissive dog in which case it'd be low) - i'm talking the entire body level low, like they're walking on eggshells.

Okay! Got it--I'll have to be more observant! I don't see either thing happening much or at all for the latter thing happening--They don't play bow much and Never had that other thing happen either! Thanks.

[threenorns]

i have asperger's - means once i get into a subject, i study it to death.

the term is "autodidact" - self-teaching.

gets on ppl's nerves

[CorkyMax]

Lol, actually that sounds a lot like me!