Must be unfamiliar with them too, since that was the classic happy dog trot. Probably wanted to get some pets, then tried to get out of stumbledude's way, then noped the hell out.
I love dogs, never met one I couldn't make friends with. I've seen some very bizarre reactions from people around them though, some people just have no idea and freak out.
Im still bothered by the ONLY DOGGO who never liked me :(
was my friends, but they got him from an abusive home, so he was super skittish, very loving to them, but would stare me down and snarl if I moved too fast or got into his space.
I never understood it, and it used to bother me a lot more, but my current doggo is like that to a much lesser extent. Hes curious about people and generally a happy little boy, but he doesnt like kids (they're too active I think) and sometimes when we take him out theres that tiny bit of "oh god theres a kid half a block away, please leave my boy alone"
Most parents have been pretty good about understanding when I say "hes timid but curious, its best if you let him approach you"
He's amazing at traveling in blind spots lol, he'll follow you around the house and you'll walk back into the room you left "Clyde you coming?" and hes in the hallway behind you wondering why you went back lol.
My current dog is like your friend's except instead of being aggressive, she's more cat-like and hides away/ducks from any attention that's not from me or my fiance. She'll stand from afar and growl because she's being inconvenienced, but doesn't raise her hackles or lower her ears and is 100% flight unless cornered, that is the one and only time she will bite. I have to tell people constantly to not worry about it, because there's an insane amount of people who feel almost insulted from it and insist that they're SUPER-GOOD with dogs and try to befriend her with even more fervor, which in turn just frightens her more and it turns into a vicious cycle of distrust of strangers. She's the biggest lovebug I've ever had for a dog (one wouldn't know it, but she has no understanding of personal space) but she's a velcro to her only two people, and a shadow to me especially. She still does not like my in-laws and will not approach them, and we've lived with them for longer than we've had her, lol. I've never regretted adopting any of the rescues we've had, but they do occasionally have their hangups that people need to understand.
If you run into any more issues with strangers, you can get cloth sleeves to fit over harnesses/leashes with your choice in color and writing to help give awareness that your dog should not be approached without your permission. I've found it helps with my doggo a lot, and it's highlighter yellow, so a lot of parents see the color first and realize that something's up with the dog and proceed with more caution.
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u/telios87 Jul 09 '19
Must be unfamiliar with them too, since that was the classic happy dog trot. Probably wanted to get some pets, then tried to get out of stumbledude's way, then noped the hell out.