I have a 2yro black lab/shepherd mix that i got from our humane society as an out of control 8 month old puppy that had no training before or at least it seemed like it before I got him. We have overcome all of his issue except one that started after my dog was attacked by a neighbor's dog that broke the chain and jumped the fence that was holding him while I was walking him on the sidewalk. Since then my dog has been hard to handle near other dogs espeically barking and lunging ones. Please any suggestions on how to fix this.

This is a hard problem to fix, that may never be completely fixed but can be controlled. What does he do when he goes by other dogs? How is he now with basic obedience? What typed of training methods have you used or tried all ready? How old is your puppy now?

The first thing that I would start with is to find a "nice" dog, one that is good with other dogs, won't lounge, bark and carry on. Then go to wherever your dog is most comfortable. Bring the other dog out (a good distance from you dog) and try to work engagement and see if you can get his attention on you and not focused in on the other dog. Practice this for a few days or until he has it down pat. Then move the other dog a little closer, and a little closer. Whenever your dog gets a little carried away or scared reassure him that nothing will happen and if need be have the other person take the other dog out of site until yours settles down a little. Remember to throw a party when your dog does a good job. The goal is to desensitize him to other dogs and to build his confidence around other dogs.

I start with the other dog as far away as possible while keeping him in sight. Hopefully he will take treats or some type of reward and if he looks at the other dog without going crazy I would say "yes, good boy" and then give him a treat. Repeat this a lot until he is comfortable. Then move the other dog closer, then try with a new dog.

Anyways, this is just a starter to help you since I'm not sure where you're at or what you have all ready tried.

Hobbes is now two and he is pretty good with basic obedience as he does carting as well. When he walks by other dogs, he flips out by barking, lunging and trying to get around me to charge or at least stand broadside infront of me. He relaxes as soon as I start to cross the street with him or the other dog retreats. I'm not sure what you mean by training methods, but I used to walk him with a prong collar until I noticed that his reaction to the other dog was worse after a correction so I now use a slip collar for general use such as don't even look at that cat with a e-collar for the dog issue as I can't out muscle him as he is now 80lbs. Screaming humans whether at me or him or at the other dogs also make his reaction worse. hobbes also lives peacefully with our other dogs so I'm not sure if it's aggression or fear. I also tried a gentle leader when I first got him but it didn't help with his leash walking and it left a sore on the bridge of his nose. I hope this helps and I'll start with your suggestion.

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but I used to walk him with a prong collar until I noticed that his reaction to the other dog was worse after a correction so I now use a slip collar for general use such as don't even look at that cat with a e-collar for the dog issue as I can't out muscle him as he is now 80lbs. Screaming humans whether at me or him or at the other dogs also make his reaction worse. hobbes also lives peacefully with our other dogs so I'm not sure if it's aggression or fear.

Hi Dawna, and welcome!
Good observation on your part that the prong collar was making his reaction worse.
It's likely fear-aggression that you are seeing.
As Sarah suggested, you should start working with him way outside of his reactive zone. You need to be able to set up a scenario where you can work with him without any dogs intruding. One way might be to take him to a fenced dog park, but don't go inside. Find a spot a good ways away from the perimeter of the park and do some upbeat, positive reinforcement obedience with him. As he becomes more comfortable you can move closer to the perimeter. (over time...not just in 1 session)

This type of work is slow going. There is no instant fix, but if you work at it slowly you should be able to lessen his reaction to other dogs, with the ultimate goal being that he ignores them.

I might have missed this: are you using clicker and treats in your training program?

I don't use a clicker but I use a verbal "Yes" to mark what I want and I do occasionally use treats but prefer toys as Hobbes in very toy motivated. Hobbes was so obcessed with food when I first got him that the smell of treats would cause extreme lack of focus. It's much better now so I'm starting to reintroduce them although slowly and cautiously.

Dawna, sounds like you have a good plan. Keep us posted as to his progress.

Hi, just a quick update. Hobbes is doing pretty well although I've had to get him used to wearing a basket muzzle so I can walk him out of our trailer court even if he is trotting alongside my bike because my neighbors seem to not see anything wrong with letting their puppies or dogs go outside to go potty while not on a leash. One lives next door with a pit and the other right across the street with a little boston terrier. The boston could have been killed when he was let out while I was hooking Hobbes up to the bike if he hadn't been muzzled. I had to let my nine yro daughter hold my bike with dog attached while I chased the strangers off. Then I was told I was mean cause I scared the poor thing. People sometimes get me with their cluelessness. What could I have done to handle that better?

Any leash laws in your area of in your trailer community?

You wouldn't like to start fights with your neighbors,but.... If you have spoken to them about this problem & it continued I'd call animal control..because if something happens (Muzles like prongs can occasionally come off) & your dog should happen to get away & take one of these dog out, it is going to be your dog's fault, not their's, unfortunately.