So, the story is typical and everyone knows someone who has had something like this happen to them. Its the type of story where you think to yourself that is so funny, that would never happen to me.
We have a Pug that is a direct neighbour in our building, his name is J and he is the pride and joy of his doggie parents. He struts the courtyard and the block with his General J K9 harness and breathes the world to into obedience the way many Pugs do. To make a point clear, I don't mind J, he is a well meaning dog that can't help the way he breathes. I would prefer it if he where a little better mannered, but hey, I'm getting older and am officially allowed to expect things now.
Hudson is pretty well socialised and we have made a good effort to make sure that he remains socialised. So we had assumed that after a short introduction that all would be well and that we could go for walks together and live blissfully in doggie harmony...
One fateful evening I was talking to a good friend and neighbour of mine in the courtyard when J came strutting out the front door and without pause came straight over to say hello and find out who this other dog was. No problem, just that the little Pug was in such a hurry he came straight at Hudson's face and was breathing so hard that spit and mucus was flying everywhere. As soon as Hudson got in range he was showered in J's cranial fluids. Not a good start, teeth out, hair up muscles flexed and bang we're off.
Unfortunately we couldn't finish the meeting as they hurried off real quick. But give them credit, a couple of days later they come up to us to see about a formal introduction. Only problem is, Pug comes bursting through the door and sniffs all around in his Pug like way and then goes in the kitchen and starts for the dog bowls. 'houla Hudson don't like that much and we are off again! Before we can finish the exercise they are gone again.
Now we have had two encounters, both of which negative, both of which ended with J being taken away without us resolving the issue and working through the stress. So we both, my partner and I, sat down with each other and discussed what we need to change to get past this negative stigma.
Since then we haven't met each other in passing very often. When we do however, the scurry away with frightened looks on their faces. At the time of writing, Hudson is five months old, so he cant be that intimidating to an adult human.
Then, we met each other very briefly, now J remembers Hudson's defensive nature and also becomes defensive. Leading to stress full situations with two dogs on guard ready to riposte. Now I can see that we need to work through this, but when the barking starts then J's owners get worried, pick him up and before you say wait, they are gone back inside.
There have been times where we have met, but each occasion has ended the same way. Conversation cut of, and J being carried away to get him "out of harms way".
Early in December we had visitors and the ladies went out with the dogs. When they came back they where aghast. They had met J and Hudson had him in a bear hug and was going for him. At this point I decided that I will get in touch with a friend of mine who is a professional canine trainer/psychologist. The situation had escalated to a point where I didn't feel that the neighbours wanted to work through it and thought that an experienced and neutral mediator would help us work through the situation. The dogs don't have to like each other, but they should be able to ignore each other.
The following weekend after that dramatic incident, I was downstairs with Hudson as they came back from their walk. We greeted each other and both dogs where visibly on edge, but I noticed J's owner was much more relaxed and we actually got talking. I had to turn Hudson around to stop him escalating and J was near the door sideways to Hudson. So we had good body language between the two. We talked for a little bit about nothing, both smiling and although we where a couple of meters apart from each other the dogs started to ignore each other. This being after the attack in the park I thought, was a big step in the right direction.
So the next step is me going downstairs and asking for us to try and work the problem out between ourselves. If we cant do it then I will suggest that we get my friend in to help us both out.
We are all dog lovers and we love the fact that there are neighbours with other dogs in the house, we also find it a shame that they don't get along.
I can see it from Hudson's perspective, he got sneezed and spat on after being rudely introduced to another canine, no wonder that the situation ended badly. The next meeting was also rude and ended badly, the next series of meetings ended up with the crude behaving dog being carried away. I am not saying that J is a bad dog. He cant help the way he has to breathe. He is genetically in that situation, he gets excited and he breather deeper and harder, he just has no nose to keep it all in. That and the fact that, like many small breed owners, he gets forcibly removed "from harms way" before the situation can be resolved only intensifies the negativity between the two parties.
In January, once the festive season is finished, I will take it upon myself to go down and visit and chat with them in an attempt to sort the issue out.
I will keep you posted in the trial of H and J.
