Hi,

I'm new here. My Bonston Terrier Joey is 13 months old now and we were in the dog park yesterday. We met this 3 month old Jack Russell puppy, and my dog wouldn't stop annoying the little guy. He kept on trying to dominate him and ride him. He even ran towards the pup a couple of times and then turned his back towards him to tackle him. I don't know if he was being a bully like that on purpose but he just wouldn't let up. He wasn't being 'aggressive' but it seems like he feels the need to dominate. Is this normal? Is it cause Joey's going through puberty now? It's just weird that he would be so mean to a little puppy like that. We had to put him on a leash again.

Usually he meets bigger dogs and has no chance dominating them as hard as he tries, so I'm wondering if he felt that this was his opportunity, but he was just quite rough with the puppy and I don't know what to do. He usually just really wants to play with all dogs his size. Has anyone else experienced this? I need some good advice, please.

it's his age. he is in puberty and this will pass. don't punish him but try to get his ateention on a positive note,a ball or a treat. he'll learn that you are more interesting than the other dog. maybe the pup was showing signs of dominance that you didn't see that he neaded to correct. if you start punishing or leashing him he may develop a negitive to see other dogs.....

Hi Esther!

Thanks for your reply! I will try distracting him with something from now on, but it's really been hard getting his attention lately. When he sees other dogs, humans don't exist to him. hehe. I wouldn't really have leashed him cause I figured dogs have to work it out between themselves, but the owner of the other dog didn't really like what was going on. She said she didn't want her puppy to become aggressive and I understand that. I guess we'll just have to pull out guy away and play with him. Thanks again for you tip!

your welcome! i'd like to reply on the comment that you made to let the dogs sort them selves out. this is never a goed idea. why? because they may never see each other again. the conflict will return every time they see each other and they will keap on fighting. the only time i let my dogs sort out their dominance is when they live together, otherwise they only have bad experiences with dogs they don't live with an they may become more difficult with other strange dogs. keep on trying, you'll win in the end! just remember don't fight aggression with agg ression!

Hey,
my Boston's doing a lot better now! Can't wait til he's over puberty though, but he tries to be a really good boy

great! they all go through this but if you don't know what to expect it can be pretty frustrating!