My 10 yo neutered female GSD/lab?chow? is dominant. She is aggressive to strangers near the house or car (will bite) and used to lunge and carry on when she saw certain neighborhood dogs, even from a block away. Despite a prong collar, she was very hard to handle, she bit three members of the family and a family dog through displaced aggression or while lunging at another dog. She also bit other pet dogs over the years over pack position. Our kids are all teens now, and she listens to them, no real problems there. She never tried to bite because of a correction, and we gave huge corrections for fighting at home and in the street.

I have bought a dominant dog collar, and the dominant dog DVD, and using these tools, she is greatly improved. Lifting her by the throat has made a big impression on her. She also appears generally calmer when out on walks. She still reacts a little to one or two dogs, but it is very mild compared to her past behavior. Because she is calmer, I take her on longer walks, so she gets more exercise. Great improvement, Ed.

Question 1. At this time, I crate her whenever anyone comes over, because she will bark, lunge, and connect (she is really a doll!). When I bought the other tools, I also bought a tab, 15" police lead and 5' drag line. I would like to train her to stop barking on command, and accept my command to allow a person in and cease aggression. Do I do this with the police lead, as I do outside, or with the drag line? Now, she does stop aggression when I say “No”, but I do not trust her off lead, she is old, but she is still fast. She has done quite well with her street lessons, she is very intelligent, and I think it is important for her to be under my control in all circumstances. Also, I am worried that her behavior will eventually influence my young, gentle GSD. On the other hand, I ask you if I am expecting too much of her, and should I just leave her in the crate?

Question 2. She is very good at basic obedience, even in the presence of other dogs. Of course, I would not let her off lead with strange dogs around. However, she seems to shrug off almost all corrections with the prong. She is a hard dog, but also has very thick fur around the neck, and I have let the prong slip down her neck a bit to make room for the dominant dog collar. How do I fit both collars on the same dog? If they are both high on the neck, the dominant dog collar seems to get caught in the prong. Also, should I get a prong with smaller teeth, for more bite? She wears the large size now. She is 23” at the shoulder and about 73 pounds.

Thanks for reading all of this, and I look forward to you comments and suggestions.

I am in essence re-posting this to bring it to the forum's attention again. I am hoping for some response. Thanks.

I sounds like this is a dog I would be using a remote collar on. You have done a lot right - but it's time to use an e-collar. http://leerburg.com/318.htm

Polly ,

It looks like you are doing a good job of training your dog . But training doesn't solve every issue , you also have to handle your dog properly .

With dog with a history like yours I feel the best answer to your questions is ;

For #1 Continue To crate your dog whenever visitors come over and keep her crated til they leave .

#2 Don't allow your dog to be off leash unless you are in an area that will properly contain your dog . As for the dominant collar , if it is slipping down it may be too big . Many people put these collars on too big . It can fit pretty tight before effecting a dogs breathing . For some dogs though they fall in between some of the sizes of the commercially made collars . Because of that I make my own in order to get a proper fit on a dog . I will not give directions over the internet on this and must have the dog present to fit it properly . It's too important of a piece of equipment to trust someone unfamiliar with it to make it properly . A smaller prong may be worth a try but if it doesn't work seeing a qualified professional dog trainer may have to be your next step . The E-collar may be the best tool also .

Good Luck .

Sorry Ed , I wasn't trying to mimic your answer . In the 1/2 hour it took me to type you snuck in and beat me to it . Sooner or later I'm gonna take some typing classes .