dogs keep growling at byson

Hey everyone, for some reason lately 9 times outa 10 dogs that we pass keep growling at byson, today a German shepherd that we normaly pass with no problems growled and tryed to go for him, byson just looked at him and didn't react, it seems lately big r small dogs just react to him, r they threatened by him ?? R is he giving off challenging vibes r something ??, he has a very confident struth but usually doesn't pay much attention to other dogs when hes on a lead, off lead just wants to play and never been aggressive, he's just 13 months old!

I'm really not sure, hopefully someone else will have some advise, maybe this link about body language will help?


http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/dog_body_language

at his age he is coming into himself so any dog will feel threatened by the potential competition or un-wanted attention. just continue his own trainign and be sure he never retaliates!

That must be worrying for you and Byson. Is Byson on-lead or off when you meet these growly dogs? You say that Bryson has a confident strut, but have you noticed any other body language signs - does he wag his tail, play-bow, charge up to the growly dogs?

On and off the lead, usually on the lead. When off the lead he does tend to approach dogs looking straight at them and stops about 5 meters away, kinda like a stand off, if the other runs he will keep chasing it till I stop him, but if the other comes forward and shows confidence he runs and usually the other dog is growling, kinda chasing him off!, then byson keeps coming back trying play, r maybe anoy the dog.

Sounds like he is tryin his luck out. staffies have an odd body shape and odd characteristics which have been bred down the lines, which make them much more likely to stand up to another dog. If you see another dog call him back and put him on a lead, there is nothing more annoying on a walk than someone letting their dog run up to mine it really is one of my biggest frustrations.

So that's ur answer hayley? Keep him on a lead so he can't play with other dogs, I prob wasn't clear enough! He doesn't always act like this,just sometimes, most of the time it's completely unprovoked, other dogs approach us all time when were playing fetch and yes very annoying but wot can u do it's a dog park, it's bound to happen!!

If you are playing fetch with Byson and another off-lead dog comes bounding up to Byson then the chances are that it wants to play with Byson - or the ball/toy you are throwing for him.  If the approaching dog shows more interest in the ball than in Byson then this will be apparent from the outset as he will go after the ball, and will only growl etc at Byson if Byson tries to re-establish his rights over the ball.  The encroaching dog  will recognise that Bryson is "only" a puppy, and will "put him in his place" with a growl, snarl or leaping on him in a humping manoeuvre.  This scenario is not your or Byson's fault - the encroaching dog's owner should recognise that the dog has a ball fixation and subsequent dominance/aggression to other dogs.  Don't get into a row with dog's owner, just explain that Bryson is just a puppy and you don't want him to get scared of other dogs, so please take your dog away - thank you.

Alternatively, the approaching dog is a friendly soul who "just wants to play", in which case he will prance (or charge) up to Byson and not the ball. Although it is not good dog owner etiquette to allow a dog to belt over to another dog, it does happen.  If Bryson is happy to play with the dog, well and good.  If he is not and/or the other dog shows any form of aggression, then the circumstances of the meeting and the body language of both dogs must be carefully noted, especially as you have been having a problem with 90% of Byson's doggy acquaintance.

There will be a solution so don't despair, it just needs a bit of detective work!

Has he been neutered?

No not neutered Caryll, it's got nothing to do with the ball, take for example last week, we were about 100 yards back from a yorkie and he spoted us and just came Charging down after byson growling, never seen dog before, there was no sniffing just a charge, and there's been a few times when we just pass dogs and atomicly start growling or snap at him, byson is really friendly and I think he just has to learn that not all dogs want to play, especially older dogs, it does tend to dogs from 5 years and up, has great time with younger dogs! It happens a lot on the lead tho, from yorkies, jacks, German sheps, it used to be only small dogs, lately larger breeds to.

It could just be his age, as he's now old enough to be a possible threat so they're getting their retaliation in first!

As long as he isn't reactive to it I wouldn't worry too much - it should sort itself out in due course.

Ya I think you could be right Caryll !!, just back from dog park and a really old retriever was barking at him from a distance, again no reason, just distracted byson with his frisbe. thanks everyone for help and info!!

Shéara (my pooch) went through a stage where all dogs barked and growled and charged at him for nothing...even times when Shéara was too busy minding his own business...for this reason I thought the area was full of nasty dogs but it seems its a phase where a lot of dogs go through. I carried on socialising him as much as I could, even approaching dogs on the other side of the street or making the effort to go over to another dog on the park.

As long as your pooch isnt reacting, then I wouldnt worry, it will phase out when he's a little older