Encountered a new dog owner today letting her puppy socialise for the first time. There were about 5 dogs around her in this group, and I know they're all much older because my dog plays with them all regularly.
My dog is 1 y/o and 6kg, so still very puppyish. He layed next to this baby puppy, did some play bows and slaps and then went to mouth her.
Zero agression from him at all but the owner freaked out, pushed my dog away and said NO HE'S BITING HER. It was pretty wild.
She then kept pushing my dog away, and making a bit of a scene so I asked if there was a problem. She said it looked like he went to bite her dog and I said "ok, I'll keep him away". I was pretty upset about the whole thing.
I respected that their interaction made her feel uncomfortable, but my dog was being playful - I also figured she wasn't up on basic dog behaviour so there was little point in explaining that it was actually a great interaction.
What would you do in a similar situation? Trying to be respectful of her wishes but also don't want her overreaction if we see her again.
My dog is 1 y/o and 6kg, so still very puppyish. He layed next to this baby puppy, did some play bows and slaps and then went to mouth her.
Zero agression from him at all but the owner freaked out, pushed my dog away and said NO HE'S BITING HER. It was pretty wild.
She then kept pushing my dog away, and making a bit of a scene so I asked if there was a problem. She said it looked like he went to bite her dog and I said "ok, I'll keep him away". I was pretty upset about the whole thing.
I respected that their interaction made her feel uncomfortable, but my dog was being playful - I also figured she wasn't up on basic dog behaviour so there was little point in explaining that it was actually a great interaction.
What would you do in a similar situation? Trying to be respectful of her wishes but also don't want her overreaction if we see her again.
