As droned on about mentioned on another thread, we've recently adopted a 6 year-old Boston Terrier. His last owners warned us that he is timid when meeting other dogs, and they think this is because he was attacked twice by other dogs last year (including a serious incident as a result of which he almost died).
When he spots another dog - whether on or off lead - he freezes and looks alert with his ears up. Then he often lowers his front end in a crouching position, his ears go back, and, if off-lead, he will approach the other dog slowly as if he is about to pounce on it. Once he gets up to the other dog, or the other dog comes up to him, he stands up again and will do the usual doggy hellos.
Is the crouching/stalking behaviour a sign of nervousness, do you think? And can anyone suggest how I might be able to change this behaviour so that he is more calm when he approaches other dogs?
I often attempt to distract his attention by touching him lightly to 'break the tension', but this only works momentarily. He doesn't respond to his name being called when he's approaching (or being approached by) another dog.
Other dogs don't seem to be bothered by his body language, but their owners sometimes think he is about to attack, so I'm forever having to explain that it's more nervousness than aggression. So far he hasn't shown any sign of aggression to another dog, except to snap at them if they try to mount him!
Any ideas?