3 dogs my dog seems to hate...why?!

[LauraJoSF]

My sweet, normally submissive dog has a very aggressive reaction to three specific dogs in our neighborhood. They are completely different dogs: a female great dane, a male bulldog, and a male husky. The great dane and she had a run in a couple of years ago. They were playing, and the dane took my dog's stick and when Zoe tried to get it back there was some growling and aggressiveness from both of them. Ever since then whenever we see her out Zoe's hair rises and I have to really hold her leash tight

The other two dogs make no sense at all. She has never had any incidents with them, but when we see them out she has that same reaction and will even bark and pull on the leash like she wants to attack.

Keep in mind she has dozens of dog friends and loves to play. It's just these three dogs. What do you think is going on?

 

[TexasRanger]

With the Great Dane she probably remembers the "incident" and so doesn't like her (like a child will remember a playground bully).

With the other two, I don't know. Some dogs seem to not like dogs of other "shapes" (really long/tall/small, brachy, etc) or it could be like how some people get "vibes" off others.

What size and age is your dog? Do you know the ages of the Husky and Bulldog (puppy, adult, senior)?

 

[sassafras]

Maisy has "nemesis dogs" in our neighborhood, too.

She tends to react strongly to any yellow, medium sized dog because our neighbors periodically care for a DR/DA yellow lab who has charged and fence fought with her, so that makes sense, but she also randomly reacts to other dogs. Her own dog-dog social skills are not stellar, so I've always assumed there's just some communication misfires going on. Or maybe she just doesn't like the cut of their jib, who knows. I don't like everyone I meet, either.

 

[LauraJoSF]

Zoe is 7. I have no idea of the ages of the other dogs. It's bizarre and kind of freaks me out. She's such a sweet natured dog and to see her bear her teeth and growl is scary!

 

[smkie]

I don't like all people. I don't like all dogs. I really don't expect my dog to be able to do what I cannot do. Your dog is probably right about the 3, they probably have bad attitudes.

 

[Ignis]

Good one! Totally agree - human too has its own 'enemies', same for dogs. Really difficult to know each and every emotion dog feels.

 

[momto8]

I don't like all people. I don't like all dogs. I really don't expect my dog to be able to do what I cannot do. Your dog is probably right about the 3, they probably have bad attitudes.

Could not agree more.

 

[LauraJoSF]

I guess that does make sense that not all people are nice, so not all dogs are nice. Zoe must sense this. It's fascinating the way they "know" each other. When she sees a dog she likes, even from afar she will go completely apeshit with joy. I love that.

 

[Ozfozz]

I guess that does make sense that not all people are nice, so not all dogs are nice. Zoe must sense this. It's fascinating the way they "know" each other. When she sees a dog she likes, even from afar she will go completely apeshit with joy. I love that.

Probably some sort of scent identifying in there as well.
I've encountered dogs like that as well. Immediately, one (or all sometimes) of my dogs react poorly towards certain dogs for seemingly no reason.