I need some advice.  No joke!!!!

Norman doesn't bark and is pretty good when he meets strange dogs - just a quick nose and bum sniff then he loses interest and wants to carry on the walk.  The problem I've got is when he's with my mates dogs.  They tend to bark at other dogs (but when they are in reverse gear!).  However, when they bark at a dog Norm seems to think that they need help and storms in like he's got carpets under his arms to the other dog.  He's done it twice now - once he was with a group of other dogs who he knows, they all started barking and he actually attacked my mates dog and injured her (he didn't like her anyway - long story -but no excuse).

He did it again last night, he was out with a mates dog who started to bark and he ploughed at the other dog (the barking dog was backing off from the approaching one).  No harm was done and I got hold of him pretty quick.  We met the other dog this morning and it was furious and tried to get to Norman.  Can't blame it.

What should I do???  I can deal with the probelm by keeping him on a lead but he's starting to get miffed when I'm round at my mates and the other dogs bark - he sort of tells them off - he doesn't bite but you can tell he's annoyed.  What I'm worried about is being round my mates, them barking and him having another go at the bitch that he once bit.  She tiny and he could do her some serious damage.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Joe

I think it's your friends dogs who may have the problem Joe - and maybe your dog interprets their barks as calls for help?

I agree with Digger joe but if your not careful Norman will continue this learned behaviour. When I'm out I am always very aware of other people dogs and their owners,  my two boys are real Stooges and I see what happens to them before I let my pup interact, otherwise like Norman he will learn bad things.
I think you best find some new friends :)

I can't do that!!  It's my best mate!!  I've never really had any problem with Norman's behaviour (well, nothin to worry about) so neither of us know what to do.  I think he is seeing it as a call for help and he sees himself as their saviour.  I was wondering if there was a way I could convince him that he's not an unpaid minder and he can ignore the barks.  He gives strange dogs that bark a wide berth - it's only these that he sees as 'his'.  :)

Can't you reach a compromise with your friend, for him to teach his dog to stop barking on command and you keep yours on a lead until it does?
I'm sure they make muzzles in small sizes though ;)

I'll try but they've barked for a lot of years.  Can't see norman in a muzzle - he'd look ridiculous.  will stick with the lead :)