We are in a new neighborhood and meeting new neighbors. There is a black lab with whom were crossing paths with. I was prepared to chat a bit and introduce ourselves when Moxie went crazy as if to attack, making sounds and showing aggressive behavior that I have never seen before. This lab was intact...could that be it?
Afterwards, I deliberately walked him to the dog park to see if this was a new pattern that I needed to nip in the bud. There he was gentle and submissive and very calm...???
Is it all about the tes#$%@icles?

Is Moxie intact?

no

It's weird huh? Sometimes I just can't figure out why they act different with different dogs.
Carole

I wouldn't be surprised if it was because the lab was intact. Fixed males often time become aggressive toward unfixed males, even unprovoked. I know many dog walkers who will not accept intact males for group walks.

Hmmm, I wonder why that would be...

....uh.....envy????

I would say it was prob because the dog was black and Moxie couldnt see his eyes/face/expression--

Mmmmm, thanx, Katie - great hypothesis but there was a gorgeous black newfie at the dog park...Moxie had no fear while being "investigated" by this newfie, no signs of stress....
Hmmm.

I have heard that about intact males v. non but I have yet to see it. Dash is intact and makes friends with everyone. He is always around new dogs and finds so many friends both intact and altered. But then again he was socialized very well as a puppy with adults dogs that gave him rules so maybe he just learned doggy body language well and applies it.

Where as Isabelle definitely picks out dogs she doesn't like and is nasty especially to higher energy dogs. She never plays with other dogs. While some may think she is playing, it is usually Belle being Belle. Chasing and nipping! Belle puts on her big dog suit to make a scene. It works cause Belle is quite the dominant bitch and has never been picked on