recent growling and barking

Question
We have a 7month old Jake russell named ricki he is a great dog we have had him since he was just three months. We have had no problems other then the typical puppy stuff. We recently move to a neighborhood and it seems that everyone has a dog which is great,but ricki is barking and growling at everyone who wants to meet him. He has been around dog since he was a a baby and normally is very playful, but since the move he has become aggressive (acting) runs behind me after he growls and barks. Is this because of the new environment or is this a start to an aggression problem. He is great with our children and people he already knows. Don't know what to do!

Answer
Moving is traumatic to dogs.  If he isn't neutered, I would do so now.  It is no cure all, but a big help in a case like this.  Also obedience train him.  While neutering at least always accomplishes its main goal, sometime obedience training doesn't.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

When you meet other dogs and new people, try to keep his focus on you.  Calm your self the best you can.  He will sense any stress and interpret it as due to the other person or dog, meaning they need barked at.