Singling out specific dogs?

    • Gold Top Dog

    Singling out specific dogs?

    Hey everyone! I was just wondering if dogs have a tendancy to 'single out' other, specific dogs? There is one dog in our apartment complex that Cyrus cannot walk by without snarling and barking at; it's a Shiba Inu, about his age, I think. He has also shown aggression towards other dogs in the "spitz" family; he growled and raised his hackles at a Chow Chow that he passed, and there was an incident with another Shiba at the pet supply store.
     
    Now, in all his eleven months, he has never been growled at or attacked by those particular breeds of dog. I would think that he would show fear or aggression towards Goldens or Labs, as he has been chased and snapped at by both before, at a very young age. It's been almost a month since his neutering, and he has not shown any signs of improvement yet.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Dogs don't generalize well, so if he's had limited socialization with "prick-eared" or "curly-tailed" dogs, that might account for his behavior.  Also, those breeds tend to present with an erect posture that can be interpreted as a threat.