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When your dog is on a lead, politics will always occur when meeting other dogs. Why?
When you have your dog on a lead, he is technically not free to fight or flight, which makes him vulnerable when meeting other dogs (whether they are on or off lead).
Dogs have a specific “dance” or ritual they undertake when meeting each other, this initially involves sniffing the others face, then walking round to their backside. If this meeting opportunity is limited, or directed by a human holding a lead, it can often create anxiety, confusion or fear, which can turn to aggression.
If a human is nervous or fearful while walking a dog, these feelings will be transmitted through the lead to the dog. The dog will often want to protect a nervous or fearful human, meaning the dog may try and dominate other dogs, this can be shown in various behaviors.
As a pack walker I often have dogs off lead at a dog park, and will meet an owner with their dog on lead. A common reaction in humans is to be nervous at what may happen. As the owner of the dog on lead you want to set your dog up to succeed when meeting other dogs. If you can drop the lead, please do so (unless your pup is a runner). This allows your dog to be free, enabling him/her to show and read doggy body language while approaching other dogs, and be able to do the meeting dance with whom they choose.

Recommended read How Should a Dog Behave When Meeting Other Dogs? Published by The Nest

Recommended read How to Introduce Your Dog to a New Dog. Published by American Kennel Club

The face is a very expressive part of the body, both human and dog. Have you ever noticed that your dog has reacted adversely to black face dogs?

The face, the tail, and body posture are how dogs mostly read each other when on approach. Unfortunately, black face dogs, or those wearing a muzzle or nose harness, are at a disadvantage. Subtle facial movements such as eyebrows and eyes are not distinguished so well. Not being able to read the whole face may make other dogs wary or even reactive.

Also, think about the dogs who have their tails docked by humans. This is also a disadvantage because the tail is very expressive in showing a dog’s state and its emotion.

Interesting reading: How to read dog body language and Through the eyes of your dog.

Being a dog walker and pet educator, I spend a lot of my day in dog parks walking and talking with dog owners. Every dog provides a new conversation. Its my passion to observe as many dogs as possible, and listen to their owners conversations about what does and doesn’t work for their dog. Whether it be about their dogs behavior, breed, personality, tricks, problems, health issues, …..everything.
All conversations are an exchange of vital information that all dog owners will benefit from knowing.