Help socializing with smaller dogs

[californiaphoenix]

Our 19 month old German Shepherd adores playing with other dogs and does great with other dogs close to her size. She's got a pit bull and a retriever friend and she'll wrestle and play with either of them nicely for hours. When she meets smaller dogs (for example, my mom's Maltese or my neighbor's Pug), she ends up scaring them because she's so rough in trying to show them she wants to play. She & the smaller dog will sniff & say hello but then Melody will paw at them to try to get them to play. It's ok with dogs her size because she doesn't smush them with one paw, but she tends to knock the little dogs over doing it. How can I teach her to be calmer & gentler with more fragile pups?

[Justontime]

I can't offer much advice because I have usually had smaller dogs. It sounds as if she just gets excited but means no harm, I hope someone with experience of larger dogs will be able to help you.