Has he finally outgrown his dog aggression??

[PucciNPoni]

My ten year old border terrier seems to have forgotten that he doesn't like other dogs. What's happened? As recently as a year ago there was always a bit of tension when he met new dogs. More recently he's decided that being around other dogs is "ok". I wonder if the poodle kicking ten bells out of him has made him realise that he's not top dog, therefore no requirement for fighting?

 

[The Original Kao]

I have no idea about the dog aggression, but I did wonder if that's a common thing in border terriers?
I know 1 that was well socialised with other dogs as a pup but took a disliking to all dogs when she became an adult. No rhyme or reason for the aggression as she's never been hurt or bullied by another dog.
Maybe your lad was so shamed by having his butt kicked by a poodle, he decided to never risk a fight again

 

[bex1984]

I hope my terrierist grows out of it too!! He is 1/4 border terrier, but to be fair to him, he loved all dogs until he was attacked by a large dog, and he is just very scared of most other dogs now

ETS: Stan's breeder, who breeds JRTs, Plummers, Westies and Border Terriers, reckons the border terriers are a bit thick and therefore prone to not really knowing what to do around other dogs.

 

[PucciNPoni]

In my experience, BT's tend to have a dog aggression as a breed. While there are some that are laid back, many tend to be just that little bit on edge around other dogs.

LOL about the embarassment of the poodle beating him up. He's learned by now that the poodle will nail him every time. And to make matters worse, the poodle has SUCH thick wool that his BT teeth just can't get in there to do any damage (which makes me obviously happy).

But recently he's met three different dogs (an entire schnauzer, in my house; a neutered BTxLakeland, at the yard; and last night a neutered Tibetan Terrier at my house -- which was a surprise even to me that it was arriving). The first, the schnauzer - really laid back - and the response from my BT was a bit of nervous excited playing / killing of his toys. The second, the BTxLakie was more interesting in working out what my very confident poodle was...and left my BT on his own to roam about - and he almost seemed to not notice the other dog. The TT last night came in, and my poodle was more in the TT's face but is very friendly - the TT was confident and my BT never even seemed bothered that there was a strange dog in his house.

However, I reckon if we are approached while on lead at a park, he will have a snap and a scream as he's prone to doing.

 

[The Original Kao]

lol bless them being thick
I know a few dogs that off lead are no worries with other dogs, but dog aggressive on lead. I wonder if that's the dog picking up on tension from the owner through the lead or feeling they have to be more protective of themselves as they can't run or avoid another dog as easy due to being on lead?
I'm glad your wee lad seems to have settled more tho, for whatever reason.

 

[PucciNPoni]

lol bless them being thick
I know a few dogs that off lead are no worries with other dogs, but dog aggressive on lead. I wonder if that's the dog picking up on tension from the owner through the lead or feeling they have to be more protective of themselves as they can't run or avoid another dog as easy due to being on lead?
I'm glad your wee lad seems to have settled more tho, for whatever reason.

I think there's a general feeling of "I can't get away cos I'm on the lead, so I might be aggressive just in case" from my BT. But we'll see eventually I'm sure. But as for the thickness...I think there probably is something in that too. But it's probably unfair of me to try to compare his IQ to that of the poodle. They both have their moments however....