My dog hates other dogs sniffing his bum – why is this?

Maybe we should try to react like him and "put him in his place" by showing him who’s boss, basically doing the same thing back to him. We punish him when he does that, but I’m not sure if he really understands.

At the same time, it’s not exactly easy to recommend this sort of thing because you really have to "have it in you" – you need to be able to pull it off. It’s all about energy. If you own it and show confidence, the dog senses that and it works. If it’s not in your nature, well, look at what happened to another Facebook mate of mine. You try something someone recommended, but you don’t have that same energy or the right vibe. You hesitate, you aren't sure of yourself, and the dog picks up on it. He grumbles, turns around and snaps in the blink of an eye. Her hand was a bloody mess. She couldn't tell the doctor what really happened, because otherwise they’re duty-bound to report the dog (new regulations here). Her other big problem is she doesn't understand the first thing about dogs. The other thing I’m forced to admit, and it’s a big one: I regularly see people using physical restraint on a daily basis. In some cases that come to mind, it’s at least once a day. But the dog doesn't make any progress. I’m helping a good mate at the park with her Lab-Staffy cross (we’re not quite sure what else he’s mixed with). High energy, very vocal, protective and insecure. His actual owner is only 11. A fantastic little girl. Obviously, you wouldn’t suggest an 11-year-old girl try an alpha roll, would you? We’re sticking to the force-free approach. We use the recall when he’s acting up. Sit/down sessions to establish a bit of authority. We combine that with intensive work on sharing toys, play sessions with other dogs where resources are limited, and so on. As a result, this dog is coming on so well that the owners (mum and daughter) can’t believe it. He’s a total star at the park now, really sweet. He’s got a very gentle mouth now (when you give him a treat, he doesn't try to take your fingers off anymore). No violence, no physical control, just brilliant results. I think out of everyone using intimidation as a tactic, this Border Collie owner takes the cake. It’s incredibly effective. A superb relationship, exemplary actually. She’s a circus performer. She’s doing street shows this summer and her dog is always with her. They perform together! I’m telling you, next time she turns up at the park, I’m going to ask her to show me how she gets him to submit without any physical contact. A picture is worth a thousand words. He could be playing up 50 metres away, she shouts "STOP. EDOUARD, COME! COME HERE!" and he’ll cover those 50 metres crawling along the ground until he submits at her feet. No contact, just a psychological bond. It works for them!

So if he’s quite insecure, there must be a way to make him feel more at ease, surely!?

I’ve used physical control maybe five or six times in his life; I respond to a power struggle with a power struggle, and I don’t feel guilty about it at all lol. And honestly, since it’s "part of your nature", I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all, in my humble opinion. I see all sorts, you know. The other day, a man did an alpha roll on his five-month-old Husky because he wouldn't sit before going into the park. Right. I found it a bit extreme. But clearly, neither the dog nor their relationship is suffering for it. This assumption people make, that as soon as there’s physical control or intimidation the relationship inevitably falls apart, is absolute rubbish. It’s not a given, far from it. A relationship is built on so many different things! At lunchtime today, I gave a Collie a couple of taps on the snout. I was teaching him how to play and share a rag without threatening the other much smaller dog (adult Collie vs Fox Terrier). I’m well-known at the park, I’ve got free rein, and the owners like me. This Collie really likes me too. We have a connection. Today, as soon as he looked like he was going to snap at the little one during the game, I "snapped" back at the Collie. An eye for an eye. Instant. He 100% got the message after the second tap and gave us some space. Traumatised? Not in the slightest. He kept coming back to me for the rest of the hour. Even at the park, whereas toys used to be completely taboo, the culture is changing. Owners are seeing the real benefit of taking the time to teach dogs how to share a toy. It creates a good dynamic and helps with their training. People are bringing out toys and balls. I’m over the moon. So, those taps on the snout aren’t just unwarranted actions.

Spot on, it’s just a way of saying hello.

Your dog definitely isn't dominant, at least not in the behavioural sense of the word. A true alpha couldn't care less about being sniffed because they're just so confident. They might not put up with being humped or rushed, but that's about it. Your dog actually seems quite insecure, which is pretty much the opposite of a dominant individual. Letting another dog sniff them "isn't" a submissive gesture.

Take my dog as an example—she also hates having her bum sniffed. She doesn't get into fights, but she might snap at them as if to say, "****** off!" We've never had an actual scrap! I’ve never forced her to stay in that uncomfortable situation because it wouldn’t calm her down or change her behaviour at all—it would probably just make her more fearful. The thing is, we don't know why this dog is reacting this way yet. Is it fear? Hormones? Something else? I personally think it's risky to try that, as it might just end up making matters worse...