Riley has started lunging and baring his teeth at other dogs that are new to him for about 5 days now. Last night was my final straw ... I'm so confused as this is all a new thing for us.
Riley was always good natured, went up to other dogs to sniff and play (play bowed all the time), and we never had any reactive issues at all.
About 5 days ago, a new dog (Bichon mix - male) was walking down the street and Riley charged from the courtyard (I have him on a 16' retractable leash) barking and growling at this dog. The dog stopped and just looked at Riley. I immediately had Riley in tow and walked very slowly up to the owner keeping Riley behind me, and then Riley did what I never anticipated - he went for the other dog's snout, bared teeth and all. I apologized to the owner and said that Riley never did this before and I turned him around (all the time Riley was barking his head off) and brought him back to the front door. The other dog walked away and Riley went back to laying down under my chair.
The second instance was the next evening, while we were out walking, we encountered a larger dog, whom is new to the neighborhood (Chocolate lab - male - 6 years old) and Riley was good - he walked up and sniffed and the next thing he did was to go for the dog's snout, teeth bared, and snarling at him. I then turned him around and said Riley this is NO, and walked in the opposite direction from the dog. Riley was pulling and barking to go back and fight some more.
Now last night was my final straw. We were talking with my neighbor across the street, and she has a dog (Bichon - 8 years old - female) who Riley adores. A puppy (large breed - about 4-5 months old) was walking down the street towards us ... and there went Riley - growling, lunging and snarling at this pup. Riley is 11 months old - I would think he'd know better than this not to be mean to a puppy. I said to him, Riley NO - this is a baby - be nice to the puppy, all the while bent down to his level talking to him. He was fixated on barking at this puppy and baring his teeth.
Riley was very well socialized as a pup as there are 12+ dogs who live in a three block radius of my home and he met them all when he was small. He plays with all of them, greets them with smooches or rubs against them when he sees them. But, the problem that is coming out is that he doesn't like any "strange dogs". Now, bottom line is we have a new neighbor moving in as of Saturday. She has an 11 month old Rottweiler puppy and he's about 65 pounds. I am getting nervous because I don't know how to introduce Riley to this pup. They need to be civil to each other as we live in a courtyard ... and it would be uncomfortable if they didn't.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I am at a loss as I don't know what's gotten into him. Could this be a phase he's going through and he will just let go of it as quickly as he picked it up?
Thanks for your comments in advance.