Gladiator dogs???

[Lauren]

Well, Xena and I were moved to the adult dog obedience class. The other puppy owners were not showing up and the instructor was sure we could keep up. There were 9 dogs in the class, an airedale, a few pit bulls, a maltese (poor thing), Big black dog, a german shepherd, a shepherd mix and Miss Xena.

Xena was being dog reactive but not quite as bad as usual. As we walked in, however, she and the shepherd mix and the German shepherd all had strong reactions to each other. Everyone else was business as usual. The instructor called attention to it and said: "I want you to notice how these 3 shepherds are acting toward each other. They are all female, all dominant and all gladiators. This should be interesting to watch."

Gladiators? What does that mean? I thought that referred to the bully breeds (who, by the way were angels).

The class went well though and she used Xena and the GS for almost all of the demonstrations. The class was so far far ahead of her normal beginners, we may actually get our CGC by the end of it!

[CaroleBoaz]

Sounds like a good instructor and a good class! We (Boaz) got our CGC at the end of our Obedience I class this year. The instructor just happened to be a CGC tester.

I've noticed that Boaz reacts more towards German Shepherds than to other dogs. I never thought it was breed related. Hmm. Normally, Boaz is fine unless challenged by another dog, but I noticed that GSDs get him excited. I thought maybe it was because they were bigger than he is. One was a Shiloh Shepherd and another was a 100+ pound huge GSD.

Still thinking about the "gladiator" comment. On our first day of Obedience I, a Pitty-mix challenged Boaz, and Boaz ended up making the bigger display. So, naturally, everybody thought Boaz was the bad dog. Fortunately, our instructor saw the whole thing and took Boaz into the center of the room and explained what was going on to the rest of the class. For the next 2 months I just needed to keep a good distance from that dog. (The Pitty-mix didn't improve much at all. :\ ) But, that instructor is my favorite and she's awesome!

[Sugars Mom]

I've noticed that Boaz reacts more towards German Shepherds than to other dogs. I never thought it was breed related. Hmm. Normally, Boaz is fine unless challenged by another dog, but I noticed that GSDs get him excited. I thought maybe it was because they were bigger than he is. One was a Shiloh Shepherd and another was a 100+ pound huge GSD.

I have noticed too that Sugar can be reactive about certain breeds too. German Shepherds, and black and white Border Collie type dogs will set her off if she sees one that she doesn't know. I find its very strange when she all of a sudden starts barking at them, as it is not typical for her to do that when she sees another dog. But I did notice a pattern where they have been GSD's or Border Collies. If I take her over to introduce her, then she's fine, but why would she react to these dogs? She sees them in the distance, so I don't think its her picking up on any energy from them...

Anyway, glad to hear about Xena doing well in class.

[Schlussdibusti]

My senior lab "reacts" to standard poodles and pit bulls. I think they can recognize and distinguish between breeds.

Marco has "reactions" to Neufundlands. Leonbergers and Standard Poodles. I guess he doesn't like all the fluff and puff.

[CaroleBoaz]

Marco has "reactions" to Neufundlands. Leonbergers and Standard Poodles. I guess he doesn't like all the fluff and puff.

My first dog, Doerak, was in love with Standard Poodles. There was one at agility practices and he was enamored! LOL!

[alexis]

But I did notice a pattern where they have been GSD's or Border Collies.

Yes, Zane always wants to play with the shepherd-y dogs and will follow border collies around for as long I'll let him trying to play with them as though they're some kind of magical toy come to life. Nothing aggressive, but he gets really fixated on needing to play with them. They, of course, just want to fetch, so he's just running back and forth wagging his tail and play bowing at a dog that wants nothing to do with him.

[Lauren]

I notice that Xena reacted strongly to the shepherds, but really seems to like any brindle pit bull or boxer types she meets. She also kind of favors terriers. I think it has to do with energy levels.

I must say that most GSDs are aggressive toward my Standard poodle. It must be his jaunty gait!