Really, really weird behaviour from my dog at our training class

[MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig]

We were working with a couple of other dogs that we’ve known through the class for years. Usually all work absolutely fine together. My boy, entire male, went absolutely nuts for another male dog in the class. Wouldn’t leave him alone. Every time I let him off the lead he bolted for him and kept licking and sniffing all round him, particularly his rear end. Wouldn’t recall at all to begin with, I had to retrieve him. He was actually physically sick at one point, he was clearly so stressed. Other dog and owner not phased at all, as I said known them for years, all friends, no harm done. No history of any aggression at all between the dogs, work perfectly together.

Kept him on lead after that, tried to keep him working and his attention on me but it took practically all lesson to get him focused. He was working nicely by the end but still kept looking over at the other dog. Who wasn’t taking a blind bit of notice and not encouraging him in any way.

Took up a lot of my poor trainers time talking through all this, bless her she’s so brilliant. Has behaviour and obedience qualifications coming out of her ears and completely trust her.

We established that the only thing that’s been different this week is that we met another dog whilst out the other day and they had a quick play together. No aggression, nothing happened, they had a run around for five minutes and that was it. He was the same breed as our friends dog at class and my trainer thinks that that’s caused my dogs behaviour.

Don’t know what to make of it at all. If he’s like it again next time we go that’s going to totally bugger up the class. Totally threw me, never seen him like that before. Can’t believe he’s reacted like that after a random meeting with a totally different dog.

Is the other male dog neutered or not?

There's some research out there that shows that male neutered dogs can smell a bit like bitches in heat (due to the lack of testosterone) and they get a lot of unwanted attention as a result.

I think he’s neutered, I can’t actually remember.

They’ve been working in the same class for about three years and he’s never done this before.

Thanks for answering by the way.

The other dog could be ill and smell different

Your dog could be feeling ill hence being sick

It can take a while for testosterone levels if drop after neutering so I would maybe ask the other owner if he's been neutered recently

Definitely not recently.

My dog was absolutely fine before and after the class.

Some testicular tumours can make a dog smell like a bitch on heat. Might be worth the other owner having a quick feel round the old knackers (if he still has them!).