not all breeds are created equal it seems

[Pepper(Hot Stepper)]

HEy everyone!
Sorry it's been a while since I've posted but I've been really busy because of my health issues. Pepper on the other hand is doing well though she has started whining a bit now. It started properly after I came back from the hospital. I think it was her way of saying: How dare you leave me for over a week! But I had no choice... My mum was taking care of her but she didn't know her very well and wasn't so familiar with her so I guess she was a bit stressed. Actually I'm sure she was because she also started shedding and getting dandruff like she did the first few weeks I had her. But any way, that's not why I'm posting. She's doing better now and whining less...

I'm posting because I've noticed that she doesn't have the same reaction with all dogs. Some she completely ignores whilst others she wants to chase. I'm wondering if it's a scent thing because at first I thought it was size related (maybe she confused the dog for a fox) but I realised she wanted to chase some bigger dogs and also not all small dogs interest her.

There's a pug that often comes to sniff her which she totally ignores but the other day a man came into to the park with his little fluff ball (couldn't figure out the breed) and Pepper went mental. The way she does when she sees a squirrel or fox.
Do we know why they react differently? Is it a scent thing? And what can be done? I was slightly embarrassed because the other dog's owner got a bit rude (though to be fair he was being selfish because his dog was off-lead and it's not like pepper even got close to her) but also when she goes crazy like that she scares other park goers even though I explain that she's not actually going to harm anyone and I'm holding her leash tight. But in a way I don't want to tell her off too much because it's her instinct and it's natural for her. I've only had her for about 4 months and I think she retired not long before that so it's normal her prey drive is still high right?

What are your experiences? It frustrates me to see all these dog owners that are able to let their dog off leash and I'm worried because I never know which one Pepper will go for.

[yvonned]

I hope you're feeling better now, always a problem when you have to go in hospital and you've got a pet. I'd guess your Mum might have pandered to Peppers odd whine so she may be trying it on. Cass has started whining when SHE thinks it's time to go out, I tell her to shut up and lie down and I cock a "deaf un", they soon learn.
Your Mum may have had the heating higher than you normally run it and that might have caused the shedding and dandruff. I've noticed that when I take Cassies big dog coat off her she has dandruff on her back and I have just assumed it was because she was a bit too warm in that area. She doesn't normally have dandruff.
For a time Cass was intolerant of lots of dogs, I could feel the rumbles through the lead. Strangely she doesn't like other greyhounds but is better than she was. I think part of Cassies problem is fear, and she did have a couple of scars on her when I got her so may have been in a couple of fights. I take treats out with me and treat dogs we walk with and know, she is more than happy to share treats and can sniff with other dogs now. She doesn't like unknown dogs belting up to her so I send them off.
Do Peppers hackles rise when she goes crazy, if they don't it could be that she's just excited. Cass gets excited when the other dogs are having a chase and you'd think she wants to join in. But Cass being Cass, she'd leg it if she was let off lead and go off and do her own thing. Somebody would have to go and get her because she won't come back when called. A friend said Cass should have been born with a middle finger on her paw so she could stick it up to us LOL. Cass is nearly 9 and I've had her for 41/2 years but in that time she has come a long way and I can't imagine life without her.