I have a castrated black labrador and he does not like other male dogs, he was attacked by a Jack Russel as a (not too keen on small dogs) pup when we wer walking him on a beach, He also does not like puppies, even thought he lives with one, and he gets on with the two springer spaniel bitched across the road. Is this natural behavior?
Izzi

Hi Izzi,

It's not uncommon for a male dog not to like other male dogs.   I have a gorgeous Bernese Mountain dog on my road.  He barks whenever a male dog walks passes his garden.  He's quiet as a mouse and a little dreamy-eyed whenever a bitch (spayed or not) does the same. :-) He was castrated recently and it's had no effect on this behaviour.

Large dogs not being keen on small dogs is not uncommon either, especially terriers.  Terriers tend to be rather boisterous and "in your face" kind of dogs and this can make other dogs uncomfortable if they are not used to it or are the nervous type.  Plus, I honestly think that sometimes larger dogs get mixed signals about small dogs  ... wondering if they are mates or prey.  I have a Cairn and I take her to our local common area for a run around with other dogs.  I have to watch very closely, because it's not unusual for chase games to get out of hand or for other dogs to take offense.   Usually it's nothing more than a warning snarl or two at her  ...  but she forgives easily and is not the type to give up a game .. so I end up putting her on the lead.   Some large dogs - especially boxers - not don't seem to mind her at all and they bounce around happily like big and little.

I imagine what your dog does not like is unpredictable behaviour - jumping, being approached too quickly, and so on. This would certainly be true of puppies and playful small dogs (especially terriers).   He may be uncertain about how to respond to them and that makes him nervous.  When it's his own home and his own puppy he's fine because he is a controlled and comfortable environment, he knows his status and that of the puppy. 

To be honest, I am also wary of Jack Russells.  There are some lovely ones about, but my experience with those in my local area is that many of them are aggressive, and at least to me unpredictably so.  One minute they are friendly and the next they snarl and lunge aggressively.   I am very wary of them until proven otherwise. 

Stacey

hi izzi, i also have a male lab that is not to keen on other male dog, my one was bitten by a rottie about 18 months ago, which i think made him worse, he is not to bad as long as they dont bark or growl at him, if they do, he goes mad, must say he is better if he is not on a lead though.

Castration can also leave a male dog short of the testosterone which may enable him to feel able to get his message over to another dog without having to resort to violence :(

Just a quick reminder about castration though, little or no effect will be sent for at least 6-8 weeks and then it takes about 12-18 months it to have made the full effect that it will.  It is no quick fix!