It's never too late for a dog to mellow!

We have just returned from a 10 day holiday staying up on the Mendips above the Somerset Levels in our caravan, Betty, and our beautiful, bad belligerent, bolshy Ben - alaskan malamute/wolf cross!

Our last 6 years with Ben are well-documented on here, but at last, at long last, at very last, we truly know our boy, what makes him tick and more importantly what makes him aggressive towards other dogs. It is all about manners with Ben - dog manners, or wolf manners if you prefer, because Ben is after all a low % wolf cross and thinks more like a wolf than a dog in regard to relations with other dogs.

Ben picks up on vibes very acutely, so the beauty of Somerset with regards to Ben is that virtually all pubs, hotels and even some cafes and tea rooms are very dog friendly. So although we checked first as a matter of courtesy, we knew that we could walk into such public places and would never be greeted with a hostile atmosphere - from either dogs or humans. Ben was absolutely exemplary, to the extent that we were able to let him off lead in many cases where other dogs were similarly unfettered and all was well. He interacted with these dogs absolutely brilliantly - black labradors, golden labradors, rhodesian ridgebacks, GSDs, springers, JRTs, not one caused any problem. He did briefly kick off on 2 occasions - one when a GSD came into the very small bar we were sitting in and took him by surprise - he jumped up and barked aggressively at her, but calmed down immediately when he saw how friendly she was, and secondly a young rhodesian ridgeback x labrador who was off lead came up behind him into his space where he was curled up under the table - we had warned the owner that he would not appreciate this disrespectful behaviour, and sure enough, there was a short, noisy spat whilst Ben told him off. No harm done, but the young dog was suitably chastened and very apologetic to Ben and calm and serenity was quickly restored.

Ben is a very well-balanced dog, friendly and very well socialised now - he just will not tolerate bad manners and although I hate it when he kicks off, even though I know he will inflict no harm, I don't think think this will change. It is our duty as his owners to keep a watchful eye out for some brave little soldier sneaking up on him without introducing himself first and all will be well! I am so proud of him - shame the other male I live with cannot be so well behaved!!

I don't think it will either. You mention 'bad manners' but isn't it more a hierachy thing. Dogs are strong on this and some dogs like your Ben and our dear departed Baruska have 'pack leader' genes in abundance.

With Baruska if the other dog approached carefully and was willing to roll over and have all four legs in the air, or at least give off the appropriate vibes, then no problem, she did after all live with Rianna for 8 years on this basis and never a growl or hard bite.

Problem we humans have is that we can't always know what 'vibes' the other dog is giving but the two examples you gave (approaching from behind & in a small space) are two which would set Baruska off as well.

As for inflicting no harm you are absolutely correct dogs like Ben (and Baruska) know exactly how much pressure to apply and it would be unusual for him to puncture the skin. Baruska did it twice but both times were pure accidents, her fang just caught the skin at the wrong angle.

What I hate about this country is the huge increase in the 'personal injury' claim mentality, anything which looks like a chance to make some money will be grabed by the moronic masses Human on human claims are bad enough but when you have people trying it on with dog on dog it's unbelievable.

Had one women claiming Casey bit her dog, immediately started swearing (and a really foul mouthed outburst it was too) and talking about compensation. Casey never went anywhere near her dog but that's another story

Yup that's exactly what I mean ... Ben is no pack leader, he is more like a pack guardian, a high ranking beta. He views his role as controlling the ranks and preventing intransigence! He will not tolerate a dog who fails to introduce himself or herself in the correct fashion and then allow Ben to introduce himself! It is fascoinating to watch!