I recon a bad experience, is when your playing timidly with friends, and a very large Alsatian suddenly appears at speed, from the corner of your eye, and sinks its large jaws into your arm.
Even though it happened as far back as 1971, i can still visualise it happening, with the blood and totally unprovoked aggression shown by this dog.
I can even remember the dogs name, Queenie.
I have the scars still plain to see on my left upper arm, to remind me.
Its no wonder i am afraid of large dogs, even those that obviously show no aggression, as really unpleasant past experiences stay with you for life.
I still find it difficult to pat or stroke a dog, even one on a lead that is obviously well trained and docile as anything.
Getting bitten by a dog, is something that lives long in ones memory, its not nice, and it hurts, and blimey is it scary.