Thanks for all the great advice. Sometimes I think I over-isolate my dog and would like to develop one to one playmates.
By history she has never bitten anybody or another dog, but she has been bitten and so have I, when owners did not have command of their dog and made wrong moves.
I almost always trust new dogs more than I trust their handlers. I believe dogs know how to meet and greet and establish relationship and that only a few are naturally so nasty as to ignore doggy rules. Owners, however....
I'll try not to rant, but the last episode...at Brownwood, six foot guy with small immaculately groomed high bred little thing. He proudly held it and showed it off to everybody. I'm standing with Emma (boxer) on a short lead, keeping her out of the way of other dogs. When Rocky and the Rollers play, it's crowded.
He intentionally approaches and asks, "Is she friendly?"...I say, "Only if dogs and owners are well-behaved"...
OH OK, he says and quickly shoves his dog from his arms directly toward Emma's face.
Emma, who by history has displayed amazingly creative instinct to do the right thing, reared on her hind legs (without aggression) instantly raising herself to equalize height with the descending dog.
Both the man and I pulled our dogs back. Situation averted.
This is an example of how NOT TO introduce dogs. And next time I'll say "NO!" when asked if she's friendly. It's a white lie.
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