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Today I was taking my dog out for a walk and this other dog came out of no where from behind us. My dog turned around and lunged at her and did this teeth snapping thing twice. Eventually the owner came and got their dog while I was pulling to get my dog away from the other dog. I had to pick my dog up and walk away (She's big and heavy.) I just want to know what it means. She snapped twice at the air, and the poor dog that came from behind looked like she was really excited to see my dog.

It was probably a warning bite. If she'd intended to actually bite the dog, she would have. However, she was probably not pleased that this other dog "came out of nowhere" as you say. She was probably just as surprised as you, and even if she otherwise enjoyed the company of other dogs, it can be off-putting to have someone sneak up on you when you are not expecting it. The snapping was her way of saying, 'hey, I'm not going to tolerate this type of meeting. back off.'

Don't feel bad for the other dog. Dogs are social creatures and they learn through these interactions what is and isn't okay in terms of dog culture. If that dog sneaks up on enough other dogs and gets snapped at, he's going to think twice before doing it again.

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