My dog has become scared of other dogs

[Iwishilivedinfairyland]

My little dog, aged 1.5 years, had the loveliest, friendliest disposition. He loved other dogs. I will add that he is not neutered.

Over the last year, we have had many, many bad experiences where other dogs have gone for him. Say, my dog and another dog would be sniffing each other, all good, and then the other dog will suddenly go for mine and bark and lunge or even clamp its mouth on him. Or another dog will just be snapping and growling as we pass them.

Now, my dog cowers and whines every time we approach or walk past another dog. It's really upsetting for me. I wanted to get him neutered, but I've read that it can make dogs lose their confidence a bit and make them more fearful.

Would you still neuter your dog if they are fearful like mine has become? I don't want to make him even worse. At least if he's neutered other dogs might stop snapping at him.

I would find a trainer before I did anything else.

There is definitely a problem with neutered dogs being aggressive with uneuteted dogs but I don't think (despite being generally pro neuter) that neutering a dog because of other dogs is the answer.

A trainer now, whilst still young, can change the outcome and then you can decide together whether to neuter or not (my trainer recommends neutering after training)

This isn't agreed with lots of dog owners but I do not allow my dog to greet other dogs when on the lead, and when off the lead I do not allow a free for all- I don't allow face on greeting because it is rude.

Give him a suprelorin and work with a behaviourist. This is definatley workable! I wouldn’t castrate before trying the implant first incase it does make him worse.

I definitely wouldn’t neuter. Speak to your vet and ask for a referral to a qualified behaviourist (not a trainer).

Hello OP - your post made me really sad, not least as my dog is one of the ones that barks at other entire males and it breaks my heart.

I've done a lot of reading around neutering and the balance of evidence seems to be that it can make nervous dogs worse. I think getting a vet referral to a behaviourist might be your best bet - that's what I've done with mine, even though we're coming from the nobhead end.

I hope you can build his confidence back up.

Don't let him interact with other dogs at all if he's on the lead. If another dog tries to approach him stand up for him and calmly/ confidently step between them/ send the other dog away/ ask the owners to leash their dog. Carry a walking pole and don't be afraid to give an out of control dog/ off leash dog that runs up to you a nudge if needed to send it on its way.

He needs to know that you've got his back, are in control and will protect him so he doesn't need to feel afraid.

Plan some off lead socialising with a known/ friendly dog(s) in safe area, a local trainer with a social play session or theor own neutral dogs (not an unregulated puppy park) may be able to help with this to build his confidence (in himself and in you) back up.

Thank you for the responses. I spoke to the vet a few months ago, and she suggested I contact a registered behaviourist. She didn't refer me though, just gave me the website to look for local ones.

I feel like I've failed my dog - I wish I'd got him neutered before he lost his confidence.