It is really hard to know.... I have often had the same experience, with the other owner saying 'oh yes, my dog is fine' but it's not... The other situation that annoys me is when people have badly socialised dogs (i.e. dogs that will intimidate or bite other dogs) off lead in off lead areas - those dogs should stay on lead and then it is up to everyone else to keep their dog away. I think that when young, entire males get past the 'official puppy' stage (i.e. about 7 months on) they can start to inspire snappy, pushy behaviour in other males who seem to want to get some kind of point across to them.
That's something I've seen as well with entire males. We had a few instances on our training walks in France with one of the boys if we had a new entire boy join us. A lot of noise for a few seconds then it was all over, certainly no teeth, pinning or biting.
I'd say be careful. Shadow was bullied a lot by male dogs around that time, and I'm sure that's what has led to him being reactive around them now. In a short time, he went from being a puppy that enjoyed meeting all other dogs, to one that was bullied by males, to one that became stiff and "getting his own back first" around males.
Same here, only difference we had lots of opportunity to work Benson in groups. I will say that Benson is very tolerant but will not accept bullying by other dogs, so I have to be a bit careful now if we meet silly, blustery dogs.
Have a nice new example from this morning. Neighbour has a +one year old spayed female Australian Cattle Dog and a puppy ACD who must be about 4 months now. The older one is not nice at all, leashed. They warn people with dogs about her. Due to an unexpected meeting with her off leash I have been able to see the poor little thing is actually quite submissive. She's likely, my guess, very, very intimidated by other dogs when she is leashed, they are or not and her nastiness is a defensive move. We met today, the lady saw us at a distance and leashed them. I yelled ahead, they've met, they're fine, mine's fine, and she let both off. Off leash the older ACD is submissive with both me and Oban and wants to play with him. On leash she acts like she would rip him apart. The puppy is cute, cuddly and friendly either way.
