I’ve lived in my neighborhood for years and never had an incident like this walking my dog. In case I ever have a similar situation, I want to know if should have reacted differently.  

The situation: I was walking my female lab-pit mix just a few streets over from our house.  My girl is about 60 lbs.  During walks if she sees a dog or person she really wants to meet she’ll play bow or get wiggly.  For other dogs,  she’ll just watch them but keep walking.  While passing a house we see at the next  house a homeowner with his dog just outside the doorway.  The owner has the leash  in hand and is fiddling with the door while his golden lab mix is standing next to him,  unleashed. 

We slow our pace almost to a stop and shift out towards the middle of the street to add distance  while we pass (no sidewalks in our area).  My dog notices this dog but doesn’t react: she’s walking nicely on her leash but watching the other dog intently.  Suddenly, the lab who was watching runs toward us.  No barking, just running.  Doesn’t look playful but doesn’t look mean.  I stop, thinking running could start a chase.  My dog stands still watching but no reaction- not pulling on the leash, just standing there.  The homeowner is yelling his dog’s name but clearly it’s not responding.  The lab stops hard in front of us and both dogs look at each other for a few seconds.  I think it might be ok.  The lab goes to sniff my dog.  Then in an instant, the lab lunges, barks and tries to bite my girl.  My dog backs up but has her teeth up.  The lab keeps going toward her.  I start yelling no at the lab and move backward with my dog who is still backing up.  By this time the owner makes his way to us.  He’s yelling no to his dog and grabs its collar and pulls it away.  He apologizes and end scene .

Again no actual bites for anyone, but it got me wondering.  Should I have ran with my dog? Should I have put myself between my dog and the other one before that dog got all the way to us? Just want to be better prepared. 

Off-leash dog lunged and snapped at my on-leash dog during walk. Should I have reacted differently?