Does your dog act out towards some dogs, but not others? Mainly puppies? I understand the confusion and frustration, as I’ve experienced something similar with my own furkid, Milo. At almost 6 years old, he’s a Mini Groodle, a medium-size breed known for being placid and excitable. He loves people and other dogs, except, it seems, puppies!
Since he was about 4, I noticed he started getting growly towards some dogs, particularly puppies. He would pin them down and stare at them for a few seconds, then jump off and beg them to play. This behavior puzzled me, as everyone knew Milo to be a friendly and non-aggressive dog.
After much observation – and no thanks to the many experts I asked – I realized that Milo’s behavior was a result of asserting his dominance over undesexed dogs – hence the puppy thing. He wasn’t trying to hurt them, but rather establish his dominance. A quick google showed me it was a natural behavior for dogs, but it was difficult for me to watch, let alone the other dogs fur-parent!
I learned that is was best to let Milo assert his dominance and let the other dogs establish their own place as well. But try explaining that to the other dogs human when he’s growling at their precious baby and pinning them down. The ones that were fine with it saw the process play out: Both dogs knew who was boss. Sometimes Milo, sometimes the other dog. Then, they play.
It’s not always easy to understand our furry companions’ behavior, but it’s important to remember that it’s a natural part of their instincts. And with patience and guidance, we can help them navigate these behaviors and continue to enjoy their company.
How did I I work out what was happening?
Well, funny you ask! I was actually sitting at the dog park, next to a couple of other furparents, and someone else had rocked up with their doggo. As they approached, one of the furparents said to the other, ‘just keep an eye on your dog, because this ones not desexed’.
OH . MY . DOG. It all clicked. Milo has an issue with un-desexed dogs! Puppies are too young to be desexed! That’s why Milo has an issue with them!
Dogs that are not desexed are what they call ‘intact’ or ‘entire’, as in, nothing missing….yet. This is why every single puppy is a target for Milos assertion of dominance! And once they hit a certain age (ie: they’ve been desexed), he’s fine with them! Hence why he’s ok with the puppies he once taunted, months later! They’ve been desexed!!!
It totally explained also, why random adult dogs were on his radar. These dogs, for whatever reason, were also not desexed. This made them targets for dogs at the park who, like Milo, don’t like entire dogs. So they don’t get to play. Instead, they get taunted. In addition, the dogs who were happily playing before the entire one arrived, now have to get tied up because they will taunt and annoy the entire dog and possibly make them angry and attack through fear. So everyone is on edge, because an ugly dogfight can break out.
Milo is of course, desexed, and whilst his dominance issues over entire dogs means there is absolutely nothing I can do, it is a huge relief to know that he isn’t being a mean boy. He is just behaving in a very normal way for alot of dogs to behave around entire males.
Nowadays I have no shame in explaining why Milo is behaving this way. I simply let puppy owners know that if and when their dog is desexed, Milo will be their BFF.
So if your dog is fine around all dogs except puppies, you might have found your answer. It seems that they’re just displaying typical dog behaviour!
