Meltdown!

Last Sunday I took Gunny to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds during an agility trial, for exposure. The last trial we were at was at WAG in Elk Grove for Thanksgiving weekend. If I want to match or trial him, he needs to be at least somewhat comfortable and able to focus. We did not park where we normally do...we parked on the hill across from the building. When we came around the side of our van, the van in front of us was open in back...and we were immediately assailed with 3 or 4 barking snarling dogs who hit the front of their crates (even though we were not close to the van)...and Gunny freaked...leaping and growling. I couldn't say that I blamed him...it really startled me too!

We finally got by the van, though Gunny was on his tiptoes after that. We went into the building, and I took Gunny up by the ring fence to gain some space. He was between me and the fence when some one's dog came up behind him and he erupted, barking and snarling. From that time forward He was growly with everyone we met. We could not find a clear spot to be where there were not dogs all around us. I finally maneuvered him back to the van. And I tried to think...

What just happened and why? Finally I came up with some reasons...

First, we did not park in our "usual place", in the barn away from the ring. Normally, we go for a walk when first arrive, and Gunny is never confronted with barking dogs when he gets out of the car. After we go for a brisk walk we go into the building under control. Sometimes he goes directly to his crate and sometimes we walk through the building. We are able to find room and he has no issues. This time there was no room...and no place to go around.

We work very hard on his behavior around other dogs, having been to Western Farm Center the day before, with  no problem. We walked by other dogs and he looked at them with no growling or barking. But obviously we have a problem. the last time I saw this extreme behavior was 7 months ago at GSD nationals, the first day we went into the obedience building and their were dogs everywhere! We did more work the next day and he was fine. But I had to admit that this was scary!

And I wondered...should I be thinking of putting him to sleep...and I cried.