Clearly, as you say, Charlie's confidence is a little knocked, poor lad. But maybe in some ways it's not such a bad thing, if he is more cautious about other dogs. Obviously we don't want our dogs scared, or sending out frightened body language signals, but on the other hand as we have unfortunately both found out, just because other dogs are off the lead it doesn't necessarily mean that they are friendly, and perhaps it is as well that he remains with you rather than bouncing up to greet unknown dogs?
It's entirely possible - he's met her before when she's been in heat, so I know that the owner walks her (off lead, during normal waking hours) when she is. Last time, he had no interest in her, and this time, once he was allowed to say hi, it was nothing out of the usual, just a quick sniff and then move on, so I think it was just the frustration of not being able to get to her.
Charlie stopped bouncing up to unknown dogs ages ago. The behaviour that was emerging, after we got over the second op, was a confident, relaxed dog that would calmly approach other dogs (he would come away if asked) in an appropriate way and calmly arc away if the other dog looked nervous or unwelcoming. I'd love to have that behaviour back in him, as I think it's ideal. But, no sign of it so far.
Yes, after I'd written that I realised it might come across wrong... Sorry if I caused offence, I certainly didn't mean to. I think that Charlie is generally a much more confident dog than for instance Poppy, and that from your descriptions he has excellent doggie etiquette. I'm sorry that being attacked has changed the way he reacts to other dogs. I hope, as you do, that both our dogs regain their calm confidence, but at least as far as Poppy is concerned, I don't have a lot of optimism.
Both my dogs were really on edge yesterday. Willow was scared by a storm that came over while we were out, which is the first time ever - she's been out in multiple storms in the past (you get a lot in the mountains) without a flicker. Yesterday, she sat down and refused to move a couple of times. I just sat with her and tried to take her mind off it with little games like finding which hand a treat was in, but that was only once she was calmed down a bit. At first, she wouldn't take anything I offered her, and was shaking, poor girl. I don't know if this is due to the encounter with the dogs; I'm more inclined to think it's due to the bangers that went off across the river from us a couple of weeks ago. Shadow wasn't bothered by the storm in the slightest, but there was something definitely "off" in the way he was behaving. When we were nearly back home, he met an unfamiliar girl dog, who ran up to him to say hi, but then immediately growled at him. I think he was a bit stiff because he was on lead and she wasn't. It's very unusual for there to be anything but sunshine and lollipops with the ladies.
No, no - not at all! I know exactly what you meant, did not think you meant anything by it, and have spent bloomin' ages stopping him dashing up to other dogs like the worst nightmare choocie Labrador you could ever meet. So all fine.
If it is any consolation, I have yet to meet a more reactive dog than Casper. Really I haven't, and I do look out for them. It has taken us months. He has been attacked by people, yelled at, and kicked, just for barking. Took him for a walk locally and a lady glanced at Casper, then looked at me and asked "where was Casper?" She didn't recognise the calm and relaxed dog at my side. Made my day! It does take a long time, but counter conditioning does work.
