Socialization

Question
Hi!  I just got a new boston terrier puppy.  I'm worried about how he acts around other dogs.  My neighbors just got a puppy too and it's about 11 weeks old.  My puppy is 7.5 weeks.  When they are together the 11 week old wants to play, but my puppy just growls and bites(in a non-playful manner), then runs between my legs or behind me.  He seems to be scared of other dogs and has done this with a few other dogs too.  Even if they just come to sniff him he will growl.  I thought that he would be submissive, but he's more aggressive when he gets scared.  Is this normal, what should I do to get him to be better around other dogs?  There are a lot of dogs in our neighborhood and I really wanted him to be able to play with them when he's older but he can't if hes just going to fight.  Thank you!

Answer
HI MOLLY
THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR THE BOSTONS FOR I HAVE HAD A TON OF THEM IN MY OLD LIFE TIME OF NEAR 66 YEARS OLD IN JULY.
THEY ARE OUTGOING, LIVELY AND FRIENDLY, NEVER HAD ONE DOG AGRESSIVE.
I WOULD CARRY A SPRAY BOTTLE WITH WATER AND LITTLE VINEGAR IN IT WHEN HE GROWLS, SPRAY HIS FACE, THEN STOOP DOWN AND TELL HIM THIS IS BAD BOY BE A GOOD BOY AND PLAY.  LET THE PUP LEARN THE LANGUAGE LIKE YOUR RAISING A CHILD.
THE PUPPY IS TOO YOUNG TO BE LIKE THIS, ME AS A SUPER GOOD BREEDER SOCIALIZES MY PUPS CHECK THE LITTERS PAGE OF PUPS WITH TWO BITCHES SHARING PUPS AND OTHER DOGS RUNNING ABOUT, SO GOOD FOR PUPPIES, NEVER TO FEAR A DOG.
KEEP WALKING HIM AND TRY THE BOTTLE, SEEMS A SHAME FOR A PUPPY BUT U MUST TRAIN ON HIM NOW SINCE THE BREEDER DID NOT DO MUCH.
I AM AFRAID HE MIGHT BECOME A FEAR BITER IF U DO NOT STOP THIS NOW, SO DEEP BAD TRAINING MUST TAKE PLACE TO STOP THIS.  LET DOGS COME UP TO HIM, PLAN WITH FRIENDS TO COME ALONE OR STOP IN A PARK, LET THE PUP WATCH OTHERS PLAY, LET HIM AROUND SO MANY DOGS IT BECOMES OLD HAT AS THE SAYING GOES.
THE MORE HE IS EXPOSED, THE BETTER HE SHOULD GET, PUNISH WHEN HE GROWLS, OR IGNORE IT AND MAKE HIM APPROACH A DOG AND SCRATCH BOTH HE AND THE OTHER DOG AND TELL HIM SUCH A GOOD DOG FOR U TO PLAY WITH BE A GOOD DOGGIE.  DO NOT GROWL ANYMORE OR I WILL PUNISH U.
SUBMISSIVE IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD EITHER, JUST PROPER TRAINING, WHY NOT JOIN IN AN OBEDIENCE CLASS THAT TEACHES U AND THE PUP TOGETHER WITH LOTS OF DOGS, WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE PUP.
MANY CLUBS OFFER HELP IF U JOIN ALSO.  HE JUST NEEDS TO BE AROUND LOTS OF DOGS AND LEARN HOW TO PLAY SUCH A SHAME HE WAS NOT TAUGHT AS A LITTLE PUPPY AS I AM DOING WITH MINE BEFORE THEY LEAVE ME.  THEY ARE SO READY FOR HOMES, PAPER TRAINED, WELL SOCIALIZED, PLAYFUL HAPPY PUPS.

CHECK MY WEB SITE ON LITTERS, PLAYFUL PAGE AND SEE DOGS TOGETHER WITH NO FIGHTING, NEVER HAD A FIGHT.

KIND REGARDS
PATT
WWW.SCHREKNHAUS.COM