Questions about a puppy's socializing (how much, spaniel, aggressive, puppies)

[Skatergirl]

Our Springer Spaniel mix is 5 months old, weighs about 12lbs. She is friendly, sometimes shy with people, but always loves other dogs/pups. We take her for daily walks and play inside and outside. She loves to fetch balls and sticks and frisbee's and is a very playful puppy.

I'm wondering how to determine when another dog is playing too rough or mean with her. There's a couple of dogs in the neighborhood that we run into that have me concerned. I don't know how much of my reaction is my newness to a puppy and whether I'm being overprotective or not.

Our next door neighbor has a King Charles Cavalier that definitely worries me. He sometimes growls and will run after my pup as were walking by (thank God he's roped in his yard) Sometimes this same dog will passively watch us walk by his house and do nothing. The owners are quiet and shy folk themselves so I think their dog has not been socialized with many other people.

As far as other dogs we meet in the area, does a dogs' bark and growls tell you that it's not "good play" or not? When should you remove your dog from the area and move on? How do you determine when to stop the interactions? Thanks for your input.

[roadpony]

That's highly unusual behavior for a Cavalier. It must be the way he was raised. The breed in general (including mine) is very social and open to meeting other dogs and people. He isn't, however, super playful with other dogs, except with a few select buddies. He is usually quite tolerant of puppies tumbling all over him, more so than adult dogs doing the same thing. He knows the difference.

As for playing with other dogs, my Cavalier loves to "rassle" with his neighborhood buddy and you'd think they are fighting to listen to them, but it's just play. The main thing is to always ask first the other dog owners about their dogs before allowing any interaction. If both are on the leash, you can let them greet each other by touching noses and sniffing. You can always pull them apart if they seem too aggressive. Be prepared for leashes getting all tangled up... what I call the "leash dance." Bottom line, unless the other dog is known to be aggressive, let them tumble and roughhouse. The socialization is good for your puppy.

[skelaki]

A dog that is tied is more likely to display aggression regardless of breed.

But, a 12 lb Springer at 5 MONTHS of age is way way way way under normal breed size. What is she mixed with?