Do dogs have enemies??

We took Monty for our usual midday pint at the rugby club today and normally there aren't any other dogs there.

However today there was an irish wolfhound owned by a guy we know and that Monty has seen across the field before. Monty has played with the dog before but hasn't been overly keen on it as he's not keen on bigger dogs!

However today they met and had a bit of a snap at each other and then Monty sat and growled quite aggresively at this dog for the duration of the time we were there.

I've never known him like this and he's never been like it with other dogs so got me thinking whether dogs have enemies like humans do?

IME yes - they have dogs they like and ones they dislike. They can also be `breedist`. One of my GSDs loathed OES but adored Rough Collies.

Ollie can be fine with some dogs and act quite aggressively to others. Sadly I have to say bull breeds and boxers not sure if it is the way they approach him that puts him on his guard.

if I were you, given that monty is still young, I would get him out and socialized with big dogs ASAP, even better if you can find a club with lots of big safe dogs to take him to, but nip this in the bud quickly before he starts doing it to more and more big dogs.

Good point, I hadn't really thought about it like that. There is another big dog that bullies him on our normal walk as well and i think that's where it stems from.

He is used to always playing with dogs that are smaller than him.

Thanks for the tip, will definitely look into this asap.

Could it have been because they were in an enclosed space??

dogs like their own space and a dog they tolerate at a distance will not be tolerated close by.
As for nipping it in the bud, I do agree. My gsd was severely bullied by a big dog a few times and he started to get frightened, This turned to being afraid of nearly every dog in the end and we have had to get him involved with dogs a lot to show him it is safe and he doesnt have to attack them b4 they attack him. The more good meetings he has with other dogs the better he will be...and keep him away from the dog that bullies him. Avoidance is definitely better right now.

Possibly but even when they've met in the fields i have always got the feeling that Monty really doesnt like the dog and likewise the other dog to Monty.

I'm definitely going to encourage him not to be scared and get him socialised and playing with some bigger dogs as i don't want him to be aggressive with any dog.

hi moli hun,

I do see what your saying, but as owners I think its our job to work through these situations rather than give reason or excuses for them if you know what I mean,

having dogs that are so comfy and happy in there own skin is all our goal I think, with young dogs such as monty its totaly do-able now that esmed sees his issues, with a good dog club or trainer he could be very happy round larger male dogs than himself in quite a short space of time,

as said he just needs a few positive interactions with them,

esmed, would you say you can be a bit wary when bigger older dogs approach monty?