Wow! I am overwhelmed that this oddball topic got more than a reply or two. Thanks for the interest, additional stories, and so forth. I would like to respond to all.

Black Hand, I too have had such experiences, which ultimately led me back to the safe path of tradition for many more years. What I have discovered is that issues like this represent a gap in the foundation training of a dog, and even more so, my relationship as absolute leader. Dogs continue to challenge us in the most subtle ways, and if they perceive more wins in those challenges, all respect is lost, even if they still really like us. I don't think this is for everyone or every dog, but it sounds like you were really close to holding it together. Many of us don't recognize these tests or.challenges the dogs throw at us, because they disguise it as play, but they are sneaky basta'ds!

Jack, I have always done it too on a limited basis, but have also had mishaps like I mentioned to Black Hand, and basically said "screw it". I realize now if the individual relationship with the dogs are on the right level, governing the pack just falls in place. It is this foundation of training that has really opened up the possibilities without much fear of chaos breaking out.

Ragedog, VERY keen insights my friend. One point where you and I may differ yet is the idea of "turning on". My older dogs now ran with dogs of mine that had hours of pit time (both now deceased). Perhaps that was actually my greatest accomplishment in this arena, getting them to accept other dogs again outside of that context. I have no doubts any of these dogs would "turn on" if asked by me (not happening!), and then be able to come home and run with the pack. I just don't subscribe to the idea of being on means they cannot control this urge forever more. You make excellent points about pecking order, and greenhorns. I am considering a series of videos that will give people those very tools of reading and working with their dogs individually first, and then with those skills, being able to introduce other dogs who belong to the same leader very naturally. A handfull or two of non bulldog people have seen a couple of videos I have made, and have strongly encouraged me to pursue teaching dog training technique in and out of the breed. I hadn't thought of teaching or videos until their encouragement was so fervent. I decided that if it could help dogs and.dog people, it may be worth pursuing.

SB, it seems like many of us have those old nostalgic stories in our past, but then we let something get in the way, usually too many dogs to deal with on this type of personal level. Shame on us! Bulldogs are social creatures indeed.

AGK, Not every dog is a candidate, that's for certain. I also.want to state here on an important point you mentioned, and that is I think it's foolish to leave them unsupervised in general. I will leave them now for a few minutes, but nothing more. All of.these dogs are down from my DeeCee bitch, and she ran the farm loose for several years. She's the exception, she just had that personality that I could fully trust. Yet, she had been thoroughly tested on multiple occasions.

Thanks again for the responses. I am having the time of my life working with dogs in this way. Many people assume that when they decide to stop "doing" dogs, that getting out is the natural option. When you see dogs running, wrestling and rolling around with each other for hours per week, you learn a lot about the dogs. They blossom physically and mentally, and it's been more fun than any keep I ever worked.