My Lab pushes his nose into other dogs

Question
I have a one-year-old Labrador retriever and he's my first dog. He's not used to being around other dogs, so when he sees one of the neighbor dogs he gets extremely excited. He doesn't appear aggressive toward the other dogs, but when he gets around them I noticed he pushes his nose into them. Does that make any sense? He also does it to my cat sometimes. He never barks or growls. Should I be concerned with this behavior? How can I help my dog get used to other dogs without endangering him or them?

Answer
I don't know what you mean by "pushes his nose into other dogs".  Does he sniff the anus of the other dog?  Totally normal.  Your dog may not be well socialized to other dogs and may be over excited at seeing them, but he's certainly not "endangering" them.  Other dogs know perfectly well what he's doing: it's a normal interaction. So long as he doesn't ATTACK (outright aggression with blood letting), there's NO problem except for the fact that you are anxious.  Your anxiety goes right down the leash.

I suggest you find a POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT GROUP TRAINING in your area.  Be absolutley certain (WITH NO DOUBT) that the trainer is experienced, with actual credentials (not a hobby trainer, not someone who says they're a trainer, etc.) and OBSERVE a beginner's obedience group at least TWICE.  Be SURE there is NO COERCION (no choker collars, no "discipline", nothing but reward) and "interview" the owners of dogs in those groups (after the session) to see how their dogs are progressing, what they think about the experience, etc.  Your dog will learn (in the RIGHT environment) to interact with other dogs while "working" for reward and it will help socialize him to other dogs while providing you (and him) with behaviors that can be rewarded in that scenario.  Learn about dog body language by reading Turid Rugaas' "Calming Signals" and you will be able to understand what your dog is "saying" to other dogs and what they are "saying" to him.  Continue positive reinforcement training through the next year with your dog (after the class is over): go to ClickerTraining.com.  Take him out often and read his body language when he's around other dogs.  Remove him (with a "come along" and going in opposite direction) if he is fearful (using your body language education) and reward him (with treat and praise) when he is confident.  Do your homework and your dog will be just fine.