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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on February 10, 2012 at 8:22am

Melissa, I should have known that you would be aware of that! Sorry! I will never forget the time Sparty (when he was younger) threw himself in a total body block at my friend's husky while playing. The Husky just stopped and stared at the happy, barking Sparty before he realized that it was his turn to chase Sparty. My Izzy is a little unpredictable with strange dogs so we are very careful about loose dog situations. She seems to feel that one sniff is enough. It often shocks me how un-savy some owners are with their dogs. I like the idea of saying my dog thinks yours is a sheep:)

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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on February 10, 2012 at 12:18pm

I really try to be careful with Franklin due to the fact that he's been attacked at least 3 times, all of which were totally unprovoked. Two were by huskies at the dog park that pretty much entered the gate targeted Franklin then body slammed him with their full body and teeth before realizing he was a dog not a prey animal. The other time was with two great danes, also at the dog park and this resulted in a broken foot and a lot of psychological damage I have had to undo with large dogs. So we no longer go to dog parks because owners just don't keep their dogs in check or pay attention. For some reason Huskies and Franklin don't mix so I tend to not even let him play with them because now he is fearful of them and they tend to think he is a bunny and attack first ask questions later. I usually allow Franklin to play with bigger dogs when he wants to because we have worked so hard to get him over his fear of big dogs, so if the dog is acting friendly and submissive of Franklin (who is Mr. Submissive himself) I often let him just go for it because its a big step for him to play with big dogs without fear. Franklin tends to be good about not nipping until his instincts just take over, I think he has realized nipping results in making the other dog angry! Lol. So he tends to just bark and nose bump unless he is in total herding mode and his brain isn't working as well! That's when I step in and slow down the play because that is when he will get hurt.

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Permalink Reply by Keri&Merlin(Judy&Alan's Pups) on February 10, 2012 at 1:46am

Yep,herding can be misunderstood.Our Merlin crouches down,close to the dirt,then sprints to start his herding other dogs.Most of the time the other dog sees him,but sometimes it doesn't go over too well.This past weekend,he met his match tho.The cutest pup at the beach was a Border collie/Old English sheepdog mis.He looked like a Border who stuck his finger in an electrical socket!!LOL,ALL FRIZZY :).But,he was larger than Merlin and really put the moves on him!!A taste of his own medicine :)!!

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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on February 10, 2012 at 12:20pm

Lol based on your description I WANT THAT DOG! How funny would that look! lol. Yeah Franklin gets so confused when playing with another herding dog, he doesn't know what to do! He played with a border collie one time that was clearly trained on sheep and he got so frustrated because every time he moved the dog would run in and herd him around to where he wanted Franklin to be then lay in wait for him to move. Franklin finally just sat down and didn't do anything lol

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Permalink Reply by Lori Odishoo on February 10, 2012 at 5:37am

LOl, yup, I usually just spell it out. "My dog is just trying to herd yours...that's h.e.r.d not H.u.r.t!"   Most people get a laugh and it really helps clarify it.

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