Nose to Nose Aggression?

When we were coming out of training the other day, we saw a gorgeous Dobe male, who was at least twice the height of Max.

He made to pull towards Max a bit (with no malice) and his owner corrected him. I offered that he could officially "meet" him, on lead of course.

She agreed but as soon as they started sniffing faces, she pulled her Dobe away and said it was too dangerous, as you should never let 2 male dogs, of any breed, get "nose-to-nose" as they will fight.

I said that Max was neutered, and was actually very submissive (he will roll over for any other dog, without any provocation)

She said it didn't matter and that they could only sniff back ends and that was it. I walked Max back to the car without letting him "meet" this Dobe.

I've never heard of this idea before. Max (and I'm sure other dogs) always sniff faces (and back ends) and he has sniffed a fair few male dogs faces, of all different breeds, with no aggression issues.

Is this is Dobe thing? Are they more likely to be aggressive when nose-to-nose with another male?

Should I stop Max meeting other males head on, in case they fight??

If you watch dogs interact with each other they don't just sniff butts! She is more likely to make her dog become aggressive by pulling him away like that, if she gets anxious/nervous it will travel down the lead and make the dog think there is something to be defensive about!

If her dog does not display aggression why stop it from interacting?:smt017

She agreed but as soon as they started sniffing faces, she pulled her Dobe away and said it was too dangerous, as you should never let 2 male dogs, of any breed, get "nose-to-nose" as they will fight

This quote puzzles me completely! There are many male dogs who can meet other males face to face without fighting. Yes, some dogs can get aggressive Male to Male but so can bitches! The answer is to socialize them not drag them away!

I have always had male dogs living together and meeting others both entire and neutered without any problems, and Syd my male Dobie is probably the best of the lot for doggy manners. No aggression even when provoked although he will tell them to back off if they get too pushy, but that's as far as it goes.

How completely bizarre! I think dogs will meet however they want to meet. I almost laugh at the notion of trying to get any two dogs to meet "bum end only", without the use of wheels attached to their paws.

Glad it's not just me who thought it was bizarre!

At first I took it to mean that her dog was aggressive, but she made it clear that she was referring to any male dog!

Some people have some very strange ideas!

I have heard of it -and my Murphy got in a scuffle from the very same position -I think what she means is that if you get two -dominent dogs nose to nose then one has got to 'give'
It happened to us a few years ago and my trainer at the time explained it to me ( alot better than I can explain it to you lol )
Now don't all shoot me and I know there are always exceptions but Male dobes are renowned for there intolerance of other males maybe she was thinking along thoses lines

I'm not saying she's right with her 'bum only' approach tho'

Your right Anne marie she is gonna make the dobe aggresive, a new one on me, my 2 always go for a sniff at the face first them maybe have a lick at the other dogs chops to show they're friendly. Some folk have funny ideas.

Max likes to lick both ends.... just to be sure!

I think there is something in what Murphy says.

Off lead it is different - as others say, the dogs will greet however they wish, be it head to head or head to bum.

However, on lead where movement is restricted, head to head could possibly be seen as confrontational. If this is the case, whilst Max may be completely submissive, this may not come across in a forced head to head where the 'dominant' dog may feel challenged.

However, even if I'm right, I think the problem would only occur where one or more of the dogs is very dominant (much more so than a well behaved/socialised pet should be and it would suggest that she has a problem with her dog).

Dont know what planet this womens from ,never heard of that before,but maybe she's just very nervous, but i reckon she's leaving herself and her dog open for agression by keep pulling him away ,and not letting him socialise,oh well good luck with your training ,hope its going well