| I know your past experience leads you to believe that Mr. B's over-excited attention in class can be tended to by playing with other dogs, but I can also see the other side of it. The fact that he went after a bitch during a play session, even if she was telling him when he could breath and when he could not, indicates to me that his doggy social skills are very lacking. Mother nature dictates that the bitches boss the boys, but that the boys, ever hopeful of future favors, take it.
Anyway, if it were I with the other dog, and I saw Bodhi behaving with such little self control, I would elect out of letting my dogs play with him as well. Sorry, if that sounds mean, but a dog that pitches such a fit that he cannot be within 50 feet of another dog and behave like he has any brains would not be one I want to mix my dogs with. When dogs are playing, they have to be amenable to a verbal caution from their owners if one starts over-doing the pushiness with another. If you can't get his attention when you have a leash and collar on, it holds little hope for free playing.
If he were mine, I'd up his training seriously so that he learns some self-control. I've only had about two instances where I asked a handler to stay back from the class group a bit and then that was only about 10 or 12 feet and lasted no more than a couple of weeks until the handler learned to control the dog and the dog learned its limits. It is possible that you need another instructor that will coach you on how to manage the dog. I don't see the problem as a lack of playmates, but rather the lack of control. Dogs really don't need playmates and it is not other dogs that are going to train him. Just roll up your sleeves and get a handle on him before he becomes totally unwelcomed in group settings. When he is able to demonstrate that he as some sense around other dogs perhaps then you can find a playmate bitch for him. If not, it is fine. He won't die of it.
A caution about the 3 dog games. If he acts up, you are correct that the two of him might seriously put him away and you could see some real injuries on all sides. Cancel that idea. His dog-dog greetings are probably very rude with him plowing right into the other dog and they are not going to consider that "play".  |