My dog, Caelan, was attacked yesterday (he's unharmed). No, I didn't blame the dog who attacked him. In fact, after a few minutes to cool off, we came back and saw the other dog standing outside the fence as well. I let Caelan reintroduce and they were both very friendly, play bowing even.
So what made the other dog attack and how did I know he'd be fine when he was alone with Caelan? Canine body language and manners played a big role. In this case, Caelan and the other dog were playing when two young puppies approached. The puppies were licking the other dog's snout, nibbling, and pawing. He visibly tensed, closed his mouth to growl, and shot his tail straight up. After 30 seconds, he snapped, and Caelan happened to be the dog right in front of him. I swiftly removed Caelan before he even knew what was going on.
A few things played into this event. Caelan is very appropriate with other dogs and responsive to corrections, so he's a fun playmate. When the young puppies were displaying inappropriate behavior, the other dog gave warning through his shoulders, face, and tail that he was not comfortable.
Had this occurred between my personal dogs, I would have corrected and removed the puppies. All we can expect from our dogs is signals that they are uncomfortable; which often go unnoticed until the dog is pushed over the edge.
Going uncharacteristically still, holding the tail straight up unmoving, closed snout with growling or licking of the lips, or attempting to remove himself from the situation are all signs your dog is uncomfortable - he is asking you to please intervene.
It is also important you know innocent, inappropriate behavior so you can keep everyone safe. Pinning another dog down and not allowing them to get up, pulling ears or tails hard, excessive licking of the face, punching other dogs in the face, mounting (certain dogs mind while others don't), or following another dog when they try to walk are typically considered inappropriate by other dogs. If your dog is doing these and doesn't respond to a correction from the other dog, you should remove your dog for a moment.
There is always a risk of a fight when several dogs are mixed together, which is why it is important to watch everyone's body language and know when to interfere to keep everyone safe.
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