Is my rescue showing herding instinct or dominance

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My 11 year old rescue who I have had for a year is a Corgi German Shepherd Cross. He adores me and follows me everywhere but he pushes hard against the back of my legs with his nose, I always assumed it's herding instinct as both are herding breeds but a friend says it's dominant behaviour and I need to train him to stop he does not do it to DH but then he doesn't follow him like he does me. I would welcome advice from people who have herding breed dogs

My JRT does that, usually at dinner time when he wants a sneaky slither of sausage. He doesn’t do it at any other time.

Typical Corgi behaviour. They are sassy. Mine does all of these things and is the biggest teddy bear. Fortunately, despite the stubbornness, the fact they are extremely food oriented and clever means training them is relatively easy. Ad yes you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Actually they are a mix called Gorman Shepherds i had never heard of it before until I did research seems they were bred intentionall with the mother being the German Shepherd and the Corgi presumably standing on a box, luckily he does not go upstairs and he nudges me in the correct direction towards the Kitchen one thing I find interesting is that my husband walks with a stick and Corky (his name at the rescue that we kept) doesn't do it to him he usually keeps well back

My Heinz57 puggish thing does this to me if I’m too slow cloning downstairs to feed her. She sits and gives shocking backchat, and escorts me to the food cupboard in case I’ve forgetten where it’s kept. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ahh I hadn’t thought of a box being involved! 😂

Yeah, sensible, your hubby has a stick!!

This 👆It’s amazing the nonsense that is spouted on this from those into modern training techniques. That is not to say we should be aggressive with our training, but we should at least train with a basic understanding of canines 🤷‍♀️ Just watch a group of dogs, a Dam with her pups, or indeed maturing puppies with their litter mates!

Evidence please

With all due respect-your friend is talking nonsense. He may be herding you, it's his instinct to do that with those he protects.
He looks lovely and it's great that you were able to give an older dog a loving home. You've said he's a calm dog.. which is wonderful considering the fact that the poor boy ended up in a kill centre. Enjoy him, give him plenty of love and affection and with that security he will be your devoted companion for the rest of his days.
And in future-don't listen to 'friends' advice. If necessary talk with your Vet about any questions you have.. and/or check to see if your Pet Insurer has a helpline (most of the reputable insurers do).

Here:

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/training/techniques/dominance-theory

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/dominance-debunked

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-and-training-dominance-alpha-and-pack-leadership-what-does-it-really-mean

https://positively.com/dog-training/article/ethology-the-truth-about-dominance

I can post hundreds more links if you'd like.

Dogs are not stupid. They are well aware that we are not other dogs and therefore don't treat us as other dogs - nor do they need us to treat them as though we are dogs. HTH.

These are referencing serious aggression between wolves and heavy handing behaviour in humans training their dogs. I agree with the points raised on these issues, but dogs do use ‘dominance’ to form and maintain a hierarchy in their packs and to put youngsters in their place. Organisations interested in dog welfare ignore that this is dominance (which it absolutely is -what else would you call it?) because they are understandably wary of the term given the traditional cruelty that has been in so much ‘dog training’.

But we’re not talking about how dogs behave with other dogs - I agree dogs behave dominantly towards others, but they don’t do it towards humans - which is the point of the thread.

Yes, some do. Have you tried training a Rottweiler, Weimaraner etc? Thought not!

Actually, yes. I also work with dogs and have done for almost a decade.

They do not try to dominate people.

They (some) try to dominate their environment. e.g. taking your place on the sofa and refusing to move, sometimes growling and threatening if the owner tries to insist. That is showing dominance.

No - what you're describing isn't dominance at all - it's a dog who wants to sit in its' owners spot (because it's warm, comfortable and smells familiar) and doesn't appreciate being moved, hence the growling.

The answer is to just keep your dog away from the furniture if you don't want them to sit there, or to attach a long line and use treats to encourage them off and onto their own bed/sofa.

That's the very, very basics of dog behaviour and training. Prevent the behaviour where possible - and if you can't, then use positive associations and training to get the dog to do what you want it to do. Then they don't feel the need to growl and the owner has no reason to feel threatened or scared.

Oh FFS 🙄

What an intelligent and well thought out response 😂

Off topic-

What's a kill centre?

I am not sure what they are called everywhere but in Romania where we got him from there are a lot of street dogs they are rounded up and unless rescued are put to sleep. horrible places cages with bare floors not even any bedding and a 10 year old dog would have stood no chance

Just a thought and I don't know anything about dogs . Bit as he's 11 yo and his history not completely known is there a chance his eyesight is failing him and he just wants to reassure himself that you are there.
Maybe he can see your DH stick or your DH sounds different when he walks . You could be lighter on your feet so he has to use his other senses ?
He's a lovely looking chap.

He does have problems with one of his eyes which is weepy but he is under the vet for this and he does want me with him when he eats but he gets up and positions him self as soon as I get up even to turn the tele on

I just love him! We had a corgi years ago and she regularly nipped our heels, particularly as we went downstairs. She was a wonderful, loyal dog, without an ounce of aggression in her. We assumed it was simply instinctive herding behaviour and I would assume the same for your lovely dog.

It’s a corgi thing.
They were bred to nip or nudge at the heels of cattle, lots of them do this, it is just normal Corgi behaviour.

This is dangerous, respectfully or not.

Dogs can and do show dominant behaviour - they also show pack behaviour and have pack hierarchy.

Op, I would stop it. Mainly because whilst you might not mind this particular behaviour, it will encourage other similar behaviours.

He is however gorgeous - I have never seen that mix 😂 although I do hope it was an accident.