For now I would avoid off leash parks and such where he gets the chance to practice this behavior. The first step to modifying a behavior is to manage the environment and prevent it from happening.
Now, I wouldn't say this has anything to do with dominance. Many people have a misunderstanding of what word means because of certain big name "trainers" who have failed to update their education with modern science. Dogs aren't status seeking individuals. His goal isn't to dominate the other dog, it's to scare the other dog off or end the interaction.
It sounds like he may have always been worried by other dogs, what you describe as "submissive" behavior when he was younger screams worried dog to me. This is the age where you would begin to see him taking a "stance" (in his eyes protecting himself) against the other dogs that he finds to be too much for him. If there are dogs that he knows well, gets along with well, then I would limit dog to dog interactions only to those dogs, and keep others at a distance. Teaching a solid "leave it" or other positive interrupter will be a great tool for you both when he begins staring/growling at a dog he finds threatening.
I would get an assessment by a trainer who specializes in behavior modification, staying away from people who would use aversives. When dealing with any fear based behaviors aversives or corrections often make the behavior worse, because the dog associated the correction with his trigger. When it does work, it only suppresses the behavior but doesn't address the underlying emotion.
Now, I wouldn't say this has anything to do with dominance. Many people have a misunderstanding of what word means because of certain big name "trainers" who have failed to update their education with modern science. Dogs aren't status seeking individuals. His goal isn't to dominate the other dog, it's to scare the other dog off or end the interaction.
It sounds like he may have always been worried by other dogs, what you describe as "submissive" behavior when he was younger screams worried dog to me. This is the age where you would begin to see him taking a "stance" (in his eyes protecting himself) against the other dogs that he finds to be too much for him. If there are dogs that he knows well, gets along with well, then I would limit dog to dog interactions only to those dogs, and keep others at a distance. Teaching a solid "leave it" or other positive interrupter will be a great tool for you both when he begins staring/growling at a dog he finds threatening.
I would get an assessment by a trainer who specializes in behavior modification, staying away from people who would use aversives. When dealing with any fear based behaviors aversives or corrections often make the behavior worse, because the dog associated the correction with his trigger. When it does work, it only suppresses the behavior but doesn't address the underlying emotion.
