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So, I posted about the play date Brodie had, Ive been trying to get some more socialization into him, even though he is over a year old. I have realized that I am in a constant panic about him, because of being partially "bully". I FREAK out if he gets loose, Im terrified of him biting someone (though he has never shown that he would) etc, because of all the damn horror stories LOL. I know, you are thinking WHY DID YOU GET HIM THEN?? well, because I felt an intense desire to rescue him from the terrible situation he was in. I really have very little experience with dogs in general, so I ask you guys about this stuff to reassure myself 
Ok. So, when my friend got out of the car, Brodie and I were already outside, in the driveway. Brodie is rarely on the driveway or out front at all because it isnt fenced, so I thought this might be more neutral for him. I think it was her mistake, but I could be wrong? She immediately went to pet him with both hands, sort of leaning over him. He lunged up and barked at her. Which made her pull her hands back. I pulled on his leash to back him away from her a bit, and she then extended her hand to let him smell her. Shouldnt that have been the first thing she did? Was his reaction to her a bad one? I watched and watched him at the dog park, with people and with dogs. He made almost zero notice of the people in the park. I think he noted them, and then dismissed them. However, the hackles thing? They were up off and on the whole time we were at the park, and I think it was because he was excited? He galloped and played with almost every dog there, even a HUGE dog that was giving him the play bark. At first he didnt know what to think of that, but then he and the dog both kept going into the lunge play stance, and running around in circles. None of these things leads me to believe that he is unconfident? I worry about the dog that turns into the fear biter, and I am probably over obsessive about looking for signs. He is VERY VERY protective. My friend had my daughter Anna in her arms as we were leaving, and was sort of doing a flip, shake her upside down thing, which Anna was laughing her head off. Brodie on the other hand started growling and barking a bit. Not loud, but more sort of like a warning? Anyway . . I really want to have someone who knows more about dogs spend some time with him to tell me he is completely normal so I will quit worrying heheeh.
Ok. So, when my friend got out of the car, Brodie and I were already outside, in the driveway. Brodie is rarely on the driveway or out front at all because it isnt fenced, so I thought this might be more neutral for him. I think it was her mistake, but I could be wrong? She immediately went to pet him with both hands, sort of leaning over him. He lunged up and barked at her. Which made her pull her hands back. I pulled on his leash to back him away from her a bit, and she then extended her hand to let him smell her. Shouldnt that have been the first thing she did? Was his reaction to her a bad one? I watched and watched him at the dog park, with people and with dogs. He made almost zero notice of the people in the park. I think he noted them, and then dismissed them. However, the hackles thing? They were up off and on the whole time we were at the park, and I think it was because he was excited? He galloped and played with almost every dog there, even a HUGE dog that was giving him the play bark. At first he didnt know what to think of that, but then he and the dog both kept going into the lunge play stance, and running around in circles. None of these things leads me to believe that he is unconfident? I worry about the dog that turns into the fear biter, and I am probably over obsessive about looking for signs. He is VERY VERY protective. My friend had my daughter Anna in her arms as we were leaving, and was sort of doing a flip, shake her upside down thing, which Anna was laughing her head off. Brodie on the other hand started growling and barking a bit. Not loud, but more sort of like a warning? Anyway . . I really want to have someone who knows more about dogs spend some time with him to tell me he is completely normal so I will quit worrying heheeh.