Julie, That's why my wife handles the GSD. He's really great around people and other dogs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
The Akita is great with people and any dog that doesn't show any aggression towards her. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I have to control her all the time in publicIt's kinda good, not many want to pet either.

The Black GSD's are one of my favorite's.

My huskies stare and wag their tails at the barn cats thru the fence and I can guarantee that their intentions are not at all honourable!
Same goes for hard staring - its both a challenge and/or threat to another dog. Tail wagging can be alot of things depending on the other body language the dogs are giving off. The level of the tail carriage and speed of wag combined with ear carriage, body posture etc will indicate some of what is going on in the dogs mind. Dogs that have naturally erect ears and undocked tails are generally easier to read than docked and/or floppy eared dogs. A wagging tail can also be a sign of unsurenes/conflict/confusion in the dog.

What is it about GSD that piss off all the other dogs? I've heard this from other pit bull people as well, applying to the herding breeds. The theory is that they tend to 'stare', which is interpreted as a challenge.

Erect ears, dark mask highlighting eyes, and always puffed (looks like hackled) fur. Add to that a confident and dominate personality, direct eye contact (gaze), and appearance of almost always forward body presentation, and you have the GSD.

That would piss me off if I were a dumbass pitt bull.

Can't believe the wagging tail thing. Thought dr.d. made that the universal friendly. I guess dogs are like people, never really know which way they will turn. Will have to think a while on ways to avoid this over-dominance thing, really don't want my GSD to be one of those that can't be brought out into busy parks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Maybe I could cover that stare.

VVG,
My suggestion would be too redirect her behaviour. Give OB command, this should work.
Keep it simple, no praise for complying to command. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Keep us informed of progress.

When my dog was a puppy she used to wag her tail and growl and I didn't think much of it then as she and the dog she growled at would end up playing. Now she's an adult, I know a wagging tail and a growl is a sign to me that she's going to take a chunk out of the other dog, requiring stitches, if it doesn't "reply" with an answer she likes. Particularly if it's the same sex and over eight months or so. I hope I'm posting this right I'm new. By the way, that's my Lab, not my GSD who behaves like that!!

Welcome to the board Ami! It looks to me like you have done well! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ami.
I had trouble understanding your post.(I may need some sleep) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Ami said, "Now she's an adult, I know a wagging tail and a growl is a sign to me that she's going to take a chunk out of the other dog, requiring stitches, if it doesn't "reply" with an answer she likes".

Butch: Ami, has she caused any physical damage to another dog??

Ami said,"Particularly if it's the same sex and over eight months or so".

Butch: You need to redirect the dogs behavour through a command it completly understands. Do not make a big deal of complying with command. No pettinbg or praising at this time.

MY Akita has to be handled by me in public due to her attitude towards other dogs. Any threating action and she will respond aggressivley. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Dogs like this can be controlled but it takes time and effort on the owners. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Ask any questions if you have them.
Sorry I didn't completly understand your post. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Ami,
Ask any questions if you have them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Sorry I didn't completly understand your post. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />