Back biting

[blehmannwa]

Tonight at dog class during the free play, Havoc started biting the other dogs' backs and necks as they chased. One instructor said to the other, "Hey, he's starting that Shepherd back biting thing!" He was corrected. (I was kind of happy that my verbal correction had a bit more effect than a spray bottle.) Anyway, what is this behavior...is it herding or bullying?? Is it a shepherd thing?
These trainers are great and I found their correction suitable to my obnoxious 6 month old. He's becoming unruly when other dogs are chasing about.
Any advice or opinions would be welcome.
Thank You.

[Stosh]

Stosh does that all the time when he plays. His best friend is a male gsd and it always happens when they're running together- one will put his mouth on the others' back and run them along so I guess it is a natural 'gsd thing'. I was shocked when they flushed a wild hog out of the brush and Stosh was running along with his mouth on the back of the hog!