Running in the Rockies

AM: 6 miles with pups in 12:50 avg pace. Avg elevation: 8,500'; 1,000' gain/loss. Avg heart rate: 147, Max heart rate: 170. 

What started as a wonderful run on a crisp morning in the CO mountains, turned into a MAJOR bummer of a run. I had B pup on leash the entire run and L pup off leash. We had already passed a few mountain bikers and they had done okay. However on our way home we came upon a large fluffy white dog and an older couple. I put L pup on leash and asked them if their dog was friendly, they replied that yes and he was only 1.5 yrs old. So we started to walk towards them and L and B were interested but were not acting aggressively. As we got closer to them, all of a sudden L and B pup both lunged at the dog aggressively barking as if they were going to attack. They took me right off my feet! I slide 5-10' down the trail trying to get some traction and somewhat lost hold of some portion (2-3') of B pups leash- so she was lunging at the dog and owner. I had L pup pinned to the ground and somehow managed to get back onto my feet and yank B pup away from the dog.We separated by about 30' or so and I assessed myself and L and B pup and then asked if they were okay. They said they were, but were just old (I am so ashamed! I am feeling SO terrible.. what if something had happened to them or their dog).. It looked like their dog was fine and I know the dogs never actually made contact for B or L to bite the dog. They said they understood and that their dog used to behave in a similar way. They actually recommended a trainer for me. I told them how sorry I was and that I had no idea that they would actually have been able to take me off my feet. L pup is ~50 lbs and B pup is ~35 lbs, but I suppose with combined vectors and me with unstable footing on rocks, it was a major crash.

 So we separate and they go their own way and we continue down the trail and then it all comes flooding over me. I realize that OMG, I totally have aggressive, mean, and unpredictable dogs. I am that person that has to tell people that my dogs are not friendly.  I have never laid an uncaring hand on any creature and have done the best I can to provide a nurturing and loving home for them and they simply do not obey me and are aggressive. And for some reason, unknown to me, I think they are becoming more disobedient and aggressive. In a wave of frustration, guilt, and depression I start crying right there on the trail. These are not little tears, I am sobbing like a big baby. I can not remember the last time I cried- years probably. I never cry. It is one of those things that stupidly I grew up thinking would show people my weakness and that is just a mortal sin in my family. Anyways, so there I was running and crying- which is actually pretty difficult to do. I run the ~2 miles home crying on and off and when I get home, the hubby asks what happened and I somewhat sob that they pulled me off my feet and tried to attack a dog. He asks if I was okay and I finally made an assessment of myself (I knew I hadn't broken anything right away), but I looked down and my left leg is bruised and bleeding in numerous places and I said I might have scrapped my upper thigh. He takes one look and his eyes bulge. I have a really nasty strawberry that is probably 6" x 8"  on the back of my left thigh/hip and it's bruised and bleeding and has dirt and small rocks lodged into my skin. Awesome. I am used to strawberries from playing soccer and slide tackling, so it was not all that big of a deal to me. It's a bit tight now that it has stopped oozing.

 So, I am at a loss. I love my pups like children and I have tried to do my best in training and nurturing them, but obviously I have fallen significantly short. The hubby tried to console me by saying that all breeds are different and these border collie/ cattle dog and border collie/great pyrenees mixes may just need significantly more and different training than we are used too. He suggested that we just never take them out again, but this is unacceptable to me. I would do that as the very last straw after we have tried everything else in the book. I love running with them and I know they love running with me. So, I decided that first off I would only run with one at a time since I know I can easily out muscle one of them alone and pick them up if need be. Second, we are getting help from a trainer. Third we will ramp up our own efforts in basic training. I do not know what else to do. If anyone has suggestions I would gladly accept them.