are some dogs just not meant to be friends with other dogs?

[bocron]

Originally Posted by cta

guess they just aren't a good fit for each other.

You're welcome .
And yes, there are certainly dogs who for whatever reason just don't get along. I have a few daycare dogs that I know to watch really closely as they don't really like each other and will find any reason to bump just a bit too hard, or body slam into the fence. There is a cattle dog mix girl who is just a big party girl and plays like a silly puppy with everyone except this one airedale. She just hates the airedale for no good reason. The airedale has never messed with her and is just a sweetheart tomboy all the way around. I've decided the cattle dog mix is just jealous of the airedale. It's kind of funny.

[cta]

drama at the doggy daycare! maybe you could get your own reality show

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by Rott-n-GSDs

Not all humans get along, so why do people assume that all dogs should automatically get along?

^ What she said.

[debbiebrown]

i also think that most herding breeds tend to want to be dominant........i guess it stems from instinct. when teaching herding to young dogs they actually put the dog on top of the sheep so they can dominate. i think if you put cattle dogs, border collies, and gsd's in a day care room together it would be and interesting group! LOL

on the other hand, if you start a pup out at a young age with proper dog social skills it does help for the most part, but there could still be incidences all depending on the social skills on involved dogs.

[doggiedad]

some dogs play hard (growling, biting, biting the neck,
pulling). you have to decide if it's to much for the
other dog. seperating them when needed is ok.

[PaddyD]

Good input from Bocron .... good to have perspective from someone with a lot of experience. I am watching this thread to learn also and I see that my dog is, so far, always on top and I would suspect she doesn't have the confidence to be on the bottom (yet?). So I will watch for that. My last dog played very loud and rough with my son's dog and they alternated pretty well even though son's dog was definitely the alpha.

[Rott-n-GSDs]

Originally Posted by cta

i guess my question was more about if he was crossing a line or if he was just playing like a shepherd.

IMO, if the other dog is uncomfortable with that kind of playstyle, he technically is "crossing a line" and play should be interrupted. The other dog could decide to turn serious out of fear or simply annoyance, or if the other dog is super submissive the other dog could be emotionally damaged (for lack of a better term).

My Rottweiler feels the need to pin/play growl my friend's Golden Retriever puppy. The Golden behaves very appropriately in showing the Rott that she's submissive, but he still insists on keeping her pinned, which I feel is inappropriate and unnecessary, so I always interrupt.

[cta]

ur right. we do interrupt them because i don't want things to get ugly. everyone has given good advice/input. i guess he needs a more rowdy playmate.

[Gilly1331]

Some dogs no matter what we as their owners do just don't get along. My intact male just doesn't get along with my friends neutered male dobie. Every other dog intact or not hes great with. Just watch the play and stop beforethem it gets out of control by changing what they are doing and enforce positive behaviors.