Dog behavior help needed!!!

One of my dogs is a little over 1.5 years old. Up until about 9 months ago we lived in an apartment complex with a dog run. At that time he was just about a year old. Since then we rented a house with a fenced in yard. Anyway, he was extremely friendly with other dogs. We could let him off the leash in the dog run with lots of other dogs. Well, last night we had him back on the leash and he came across another dog. He wasn't growling or anything, he was wagging his tail and all excited, but he went up to the dog and just grabbed the back of this dogs neck. My DH didn't let that happen for long, and got him off. Now we don't know if he was playing, or about to bite this dog, or what? It looked like a dominance thing. We are just so upset about this. He has always been good. He hasn't been socialized with another dog, (besides our 2nd one) since we moved. Does this mean he can't be with another dog, ever? I'm so upset. Also, a few months ago, he started marking spots throughout the house??? He's never done this, and now he won't stop! It's disgusting!!! What do we do? FYI... he is not fixed yet, so I'm not sure if that's why? I can't afford to take him to a specialist either. We tried that with a dog we had years ago, and it didn't help. Different problem though! HELP!!!

The marking thing is usual in males if they aren't neutered. Some breeds don't show signs of dominance until they are 1.5 - 2 years old - usually the larger breeds.

Maybe you can take him to an obedience school? They usually run them cheap at YMCAs or Community Colleges. If nothing else, it will get him used to socializing there and you can network with other dogs' owners.

Good luck!

Is it possible that the other dog was a female in season?

As far as the marking, I think fixing your pooch is the only solution. Try taking your dog back to your old dog run... or if that's not possible another dog run. Keep him on the leash at first see what he does. Show him that he needs to earn the right to be off leash.

biting the back of the neck sounds like it was a female dog in season, or near season, or maybe she was just a hottie. Thats not how male dogs tend to fight.

P.S. both of the above problems should be fixed if the dog is neuterd. If you are not planning on breeding the dog you might want to consider this.

I think you're overreacting. The neck biting thing seems pretty normal and natural. My dogs do that to each other when they're playing. I don't have any advice about marking...I have a 13 month old male and a13 month old female and thank god that hasn't happenned, although both are fixed. My male just started his new thing which is sniffing around and urinating on poles, etc...but that's outside..your normal vet can probably help you with this.

Anyway, all of this seems pretty normal..he cna def. be around other dogs..he may just be nervous about being ina new environment