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I sometimes wonder exactly what they are aware of...
They can tell different breeds, as Topper always wants to play with the Boxers at the show, or rather, the fawns, he doesn't like the brindle, because Joe was one. Also, he doesn't like Blue Merle Aussies. A friend has a male about his age that has always vied for dominance with him where we used to work.
Last night at my Therapy Dog class, one of my students was telling me about her Am. Cocker. He was mauled by a GSD at 6 months of age. He is doing remarkably well both physically and mentally a year later. Enough so where she feels that he can do Therapy work, and I agree with her. His biggest hurdle has been accepting large dogs, and although he is doing well, GSD's understandably cause him anxiety. The owner asked me last night if I thought he could smell a GSD vs. another dog. Her reasoning is that she has 2 friends that have GSDs, and when either one comes over, he refuses to warm up to them. I wouldn't doubt if a breed has a particular smell, I wouldn't doubt it at all.
They know where things are, they figure out how to get to different rooms through different doors, they know voices, and who knows what else that I can't even sense... Canines are truly amazing!
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