I am having some problems dealing with my GSD's aggression despite using both prong and dominant dog collar. After watching Ed's dominant dog video I realized that I had to increase the level of corrrection for the initial signs of aggression (and I gotta say he makes it look so easy!).
My problem is that I only weigh a few more pounds than my dog so it is had to give him a hard enough correction to divert his attention and make him mind. Also it is tough for me to lift him up using the dom. dog. collar for the same reason.
I'm not sure if I am using the dominant dog collar correctly as it seems to be increasing his aggression????
For example when we are walking and we see another dog at the first sign of aggression I say "no" and lift up his front legs for a second or two (all I can hold him for). He struggles and the minute his feet touch the ground he seems to be more worked up towards the offending dog.
When I correct him with the prong (as hard as I can) he will only mind for a second and then go back to the hard stare of the other dog, I can't seems to dirvert his gaze.
I need some guidence as to what I am doing wrong and some other suggestions to try. (ie: On the dog whisperer Cesar millan suggests nudging the dog with your foot to break his gaze, I tried this but again it only worked for a second).

I would suggest an e-collar if you want to continue to use physical corrections to deal with the problem.

Using a gag collar like the dominant dog collar shouldn't take lifting the dog at all, Maybe the collar is too low?

Sam,
I do not know if my limited experience is useful, but I will offer it anyway. I think the short answer is that you might not have given the dominant dog collar enough time. I do not mean that you have not applied pressure long enough, although that could also be true, but that it may take some weeks for your dog to get with the program. I have used this collar for a couple of months, and have seen continuous improvement. Prior to this new training effort, which is entirely due to my time reading this board and Ed’s articles, she was a real pain with some other dogs, lunging and snapping, and bit my other dog if they were being walked together. She would also bite anyone who tried to touch her. The latter is no problem, I don't let anyone near her. When I started out to correct this animal aggression around the first of the year, I first taught her the Look command (look at me and get a treat). This took about a week and worked well for some dogs, but would never have worked for others.

When I first got the dominant dog collar in January with the Dom. Dog DVD, I used it with the prong, as you are doing. Probably the only difference between us at that stage is that either my dog is less aggressive or I was able to hold her off the ground longer. I can lift my dog for more then a second or two, more then that has not yet been necessary. Once or twice I did have to lift her twice during one incident, but in truth, I have only had to lift her a handful of times altogether (maybe 2 handfuls). I did hold her until she gagged once or twice, while the other dog walked away, then she didn't have anyone left to fight. In any case, this collar further reduced the number of dogs she would go after. At that point she would completely ignor several dogs that previously would ignite her. Now there is really only one dog she will go for. At this time, we use only the dominant dog collar on the 6 ft leather lead, no prong, and she is very relaxed on our walks. As she has improved, her walks have gotten longer, and I am sure this is good for her. We walk every morning for about a mile in a large park, and we go near a number of dogs. She sits and calmly lets them pass. I do not let them get too close, and keep far from the occasional unleashed dog. We approach a dog run, and she sniffs dogs from outside the fence. She is not going inside, but she is relaxed now, even in this scenario.

Like you, I have been advised here to get an e-collar for her if I want to let her off leash, or if she does not continue to improve. I am reserving that for possible future action, because I know I need to really study that type of correction before using it. Lastly, with my dog, at least, I would not nudge her to get her attention. She bit me once when I attempted to distract her by blocking her view of another dog.
polly

moderator: would a stun baton be a good thing for handling the loose dogs? I recollect it being mentioned here before. I think I am going to get one, as there is a large "wash" behind my house with lots of strays. I don't want to hurt them, I just don't want them near my dog when I'm walking him!