why does this happen?

[Boris the Blade]

So we have a dog park that I take Boris to for socializing. Yes I know most people here are anti dog park but I go during the day during the week so its never busy. Plus its huge and wooded along with 2 big fields.
Anyway my concern is how other dogs react to Boris. Every time we go at least one dog has to dominate him and scruffle (lots of noise and snapping teeth no bites). He approaches pretty calmly for an almost 5mth old doesn't jump tail is neutral and wagging, head is down ears are back. When they do their show of dominance he submits and leaves. He's very vocal so when they show teeth he screams bloody murder and that obviously gets the other dog going worse!
These are dogs that are playing fine with every single other dog there but its like they don't want him near them!
I was talking to a cane corso/neopolitan cross owner who experienced the same thing with her boy when he was a pup. She neutered him at 6mths to "prevent aggression" because of this.
It happened today again and I was talking later with a presa owner who also said the same thing happened when his was a pup!
I don't usually need to interfere as Boris will just walk away. I have had to once but that was the other owners stupidity and the fact that she couldn't handle her own dog not because the dog did damage.
So is Boris putting out a vibe? Its not just the dog park its on normal walks and around my dog friendly building too but obviously everyone is leashed so its just the other dogs growling and lunging at him while he sits and wags.
He is excited meeting new dogs but not crazy and I make him sit and wait and go slow when approaching. Maybe I'm making a mistake by making him sit and settle?
Thoughts?

 

[kbuchanan66]

People are going to think I am bonkers but.......

I am starting to wonder if dogs these days aren't used to having to socialise with un-altered dogs. Think about it society (Rescues, Vets, Media) tell us that we should spay/neuter our dogs at 6 months while they are still young. Lots of dog parks and social dog places (doggy day care, training facilities) require the dogs to be altered before entering. So while our dogs interact and socialise they do it without hormones permeating the air...so then an unaltered dog enters the mix and the altered parties do not know how to handle themselves because that extra hormone is entering the situation and creating confusion because they have not been subjected to it.

Does that make sense? Any one think I am loonie tunes?

 

[ruthcatrin]

Nope, I'm pretty sure thats exactly the problem actually. Though 5 months is a little young to have it happen, but its possible.

 

[Boris the Blade]

hmmmm that could be possible! Especially with Boris' hormones starting to come more into play. The corso/neo mixes' owner did say after he was neutered at 6mths it didn't happen anymore. And the presas' owner still has his intact and he still causes scruffles/uneasiness. His was the only other intact male dog I've seen at that park. The rest have all been sterilized..

 

[kbuchanan66]

Nope, I'm pretty sure thats exactly the problem actually. Though 5 months is a little young to have it happen, but its possible.

Oh Thank Goodness! I was sure someone was going to give me the confused look.

Now to you Boris the Blade. I would just make sure that your pup gets all the socialising he needs with all kinds of dogs. Big, small, un-altered and altered. Leave nothing out. I usually go with the "find people like you who want to socialise their dogs in a safe environment where everyone has control of their dog." I find it more organised this way because you can talk through some rules and guidelines with the people you are interacting with and not have to count on a complete stranger who is only there so they don't have to work their dog themselves. (Sorry if that sounds snobby but that is just my findings with dog parks). I do not mean you in anyway.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I get it even when Apollo's not with me actually, ever since he hit 8-9 months, even otherwise friendly dogs will react unhappily to me, I had one submissive little girl roll over and show me her belly, and other piddle herself after sniffing me. And I've NEVER gotten that kind of reaction from dogs before Apollo hit sexual maturity.

Honestly, skip the dog parks. If you've made a few aquaitances there with dogs who get along with yours then set up play dates with them, but putting him into situations where you know the other dogs are going to attack him is only going to drive him to either fearfullness or aggression to protect himself, and neither is usefull.

 

[Boris the Blade]

Yeah I go to get the socialization but will stop as he gets more "mature". Most people that go during the day during the week are "regulars" and they all get along with Boris. He tires fast as well so after we do our leashed walk around the whole paths then we do an off leash play with the couple dogs that are there, but usually he just kinda hangs out greeting everyone by then or is laying under the bench.
Its hard for me to arranged play dates because I'm in an apartment and I have my kids with me 100% of the time with their dad working out of town.
But we'll figure something out. I do not want him to be fearful or dog aggressive!

 

[DennasMom]

I thought it was a big puppy problem...
The adult dogs all seem to pick on the large-breed puppies. As if they know their time being able to get on top to dominate them is limited.