I have a Black Lab cross. He is about 130lbs, and is just shy of 2.5' at the shoulder, and not overweight. The problem is he is very docile. I think other dogs sense this since he has been attacked 3 times in the last month. For the most part he tries to hide from the other dog and only fights back if he gets hurt or too scared. It just started happening, even with dogs he has had no problems with in the past. They dont bother our other little dog, they just go after my big lab. Now I am afraid he will start fearing other dogs to the point that he might become aggresive himself. Is there something I can do to help my puppy (4 years old) out in this situation?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Side Note: He was the second of our two dogs and always defers to Sadie our little shepperd/collie cross. She weighs 35lbs.

Hi, detente.

You said this just starting happening. Do you mean dogs attacking him or him being shy around other dogs? How did your dog react immediately prior to the first time he was attacked? How did he react during and immediately afterwards? Were his reactions the same during the subsequent attacks? What do you know about the dogs that attacked (have you seen them before and know how they react around other dogs, are they dogs he's never seen before)? Can you think of something specific that may have caused your dog to become shy previous to the first attack? Are the dogs on leashes when this happens? Does this happen only in certain areas (indoors, at the park, in your front yard, etc.)

I know these are lots of questions, but it's important to play detective when it comes to our pups since they can't speak English. Also, sometimes dogs will elicit behaviors that we humans may not notice or misconstrue (for example - mistaking aggression for fear, thinking a dog wants to play when it's really trying to show dominance, thinking a dog is hot, thirsty or tired when he's actually giving displacement signals, etc.)

I definitely think your puppy can be helped, but I think more information is necessary to find out what is causing this action in your dog and the other dogs and what the best way to handle the issue would be.

he is very submissive & she the dominent one. he is conveying that message to other dogs you meet. perhaps they see her bossing him around & the pack mentality takes over.

have you tried walking them seperately? that may help him. perhaps you baby him to much - he is not a puppy

I would find a reputable trainer & enroll him in group classes. no pet store type. attend a couple classes to see how the trainer relates to the dogs & the owners.

I recently finished training my rescue who was very submissive. It's sad because you want to protect them, but the most important thing is to show them that they shouldn't be afraid. I would try to find a group of dogs (or at least a new dog friend) and play with your dog together. Be there and interact with the play group. This will help the other dogs leave your dog alone... plus it will show your Lab that you are not afraid and they shouldn't be either. Once you can build the confidence level, the submissive attitude will fade.

My dog was scared to death of a green pillow, and a wooden salad bowl. Not baseball bat, not a gun... a salad bowl. So we used to sit on the floor (the are intimiated by things taller than them) and play with her and the salad bowl together. I know it sounds CRAZY (really crazy), but getting over little fears like that helped her confidence tremendously. She is fearless now a little cocky really.