It's been a few months now since this event happened, but just wondered if anyone on this site has had something similar happen with their dogs.

My dog is about 3 years old, very submissive-I have to feed her in the bathroom with the door shut, the cats in the kitchen make her nervous-if something scares her she shakes, better than when we first got her and she would hit the ground pancaked, very easygoing at home, in public she doesn't shy from people she's not all licky waggy but people can pet her easily...she hardly ever barks and follows anywhere I am. She has perfect recall and knows basic commands.

One day we were hiking. It was a quiet sunny day and we had walked a few miles. We were at a clearing by some picnic tables. The area we walk in is pretty secluded. The only people are runners and a few other folks walking their dogs. You can go a hour or two and not see anyone. Anyway so here we were at the picnic tables and suddenly Sophie flew up to the trail...not unusual...squirrel? chipmunk? goose? another dog to say hello to?

I raced up to see what had her attention and it was a young man-maybe in his 20's, tall, dark skinned, red jacket, baseball hat...not any different than many other guys we see every day...

...and Sophie lost her mind, a field mouse transformed into a fire breathing dragon. If you've ever seen video or still photos of an enraged fighting dog...I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She was almost foaming-yes she had her rabies shots-foaming and leaping and howling, oh my

The guy was kicking at her and I finally grabbed her collar and hauled her off the opposite direction, she kept her eye on him the whole way but quieted. Whenhe was out of sight she dropped her head and tail and limped to the car like "Whooo close one". But she never acted like that before or since.

Some other dog people have suggested there might have been something she sensed. Someone had a mild mannered dog growl at a stranger at a state fair and the stranger was arrested for causing a disturbance some hours later. Maybe she was protecting me somehow I don't know.

Not at all unusual. These dogs are usually a pretty good judge of character. Maybe this guy was about to try to rob you? My dog has never bitten anyone but definately gives some of my son's friends the "once over" - some more than others. From what I know of them, she's generally pretty accurate. Bob

Protection instinct kicking in....

I was out walking my boys late one night a couple of months back & we live in a "nice" area.....suddenly Jerry Lee (my AmStaff) stops dead in his tracks, turns round & starts growling.....

There's 2 'gangbanger' types following us down the street....about 40 feet or so behind...they stopped when he turned round, so I carried on walking....he followed me but kept checking over his shoulder....

Good idea to keep your dog on a leash at all times.

I would more worry about all that shyness she has.. Maybe that guy remind her of someone that abused her or something in the pass.. Hard to say what certain thing might trigger a dog.. Best of luck with her..

Thanks everybody...it's a scary feeling seeing someone you love step over the edge. But there very well may have been a reason...just for a few days there, even now sometimes...i hold my breath, there was a happy shiny family walking our way recently-little boy in the front and my fur stood up for a second. But Sophie just glanced at everyone then gave a big smile to the Mom for a ear scratch.

She came from a city shelter and was there for months before we got her. The fear seems tied into things that might remind her of those days. The sound of metel fences closing, the concrete and brick and noise in PetSmart.
There's even a warehouse down the way that spooks her at night. It's just a big brick building with search lights-but who knows what she sees? She wakes herself barking sometimes.

I've learned to have patience and try to stay alert to situations that get her edgy, she is never fear aggressive though. If she really panics, she drops to the ground with four feet up...then I get to lug a sixty pound baby.