Quote: mike j schoonbrood

Flat collar or DD collar. The dog is not aggressive to the dogs YET. A prong will give the dog a reason to become aggressive. "Whenever I see this other dog, I feel pain."

Using a prong here would work but only if the timing is precise and you are correcting for breaking obedience. The dog MUST understand 100% that he is being corrected for not listening to a heel command. If the dog thinks that the correction is related to the other dog then you'll create an aggression problem where there might not really be one yet.

This is a socialization issue. Take the dog places where you can play with him and do fun things at a distance where other dogs are around, but unable to get to him. Start at a distance where he isn't fixated on the dog and gradually work your way closer over a period of a few weeks.

A giant ditto.

Also (again, the obvious), doing upbeat motivational obedience sessions into which you gradually introduce dogs as distractions is great (far away, on the other side of a fence, on a leash, not looking at you, etc.).

As Mike says, start where the unwanted reaction is not triggered, getting closer only as that line comes closer.

I was working a Samoyed a while back with the same issue. Made the mistake of using the prong and got a redirected aggression bite on the thigh. I made the mistake of thinking the dog was soft and that the prong would break the dogs' focus enough to get through the problem. It'll never happen again. I use the DD collar exclusively for animal aggression.

A prong will work for getting the dog back in line if he refuses a command while focusing on another dog the second he looks too long. It usually works best when there is distance between the dogs. Once the dog has missile lock, or is too close to another dog, a prong correction will get you bit more times than not if it is true aggression.

Howard

 Quote: mike j schoonbrood

Flat collar or DD collar. The dog is not aggressive to the dogs YET. A prong will give the dog a reason to become aggressive. "Whenever I see this other dog, I feel pain."

Using a prong here would work but only if the timing is precise and you are correcting for breaking obedience. The dog MUST understand 100% that he is being corrected for not listening to a heel command. If the dog thinks that the correction is related to the other dog then you'll create an aggression problem where there might not really be one yet....

That's what I call a crystal clear and completely sensible explanation. Thank you! And thank you also Howard, and Connie.

 Quote: Howard Knauf

I was working a Samoyed a while back with the same issue. Made the mistake of using the prong and got a redirected aggression bite on the thigh. I made the mistake of thinking the dog was soft and that the prong would break the dogs' focus enough to get through the problem. It'll never happen again. I use the DD collar exclusively for animal aggression.

A prong will work for getting the dog back in line if he refuses a command while focusing on another dog the second he looks too long. It usually works best when there is distance between the dogs. Once the dog has missile lock, or is too close to another dog, a prong correction will get you bit more times than not if it is true aggression.

Howard

Yep; what Howard said. I went through the same thing about a month ago with my Dobe. I corrected him for acting like an idiot every time he saw another dog (he became a whining helicopter). He's hard but doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body, and the prong correction when he was already keyed up brought him up the leash and on to my arm. After about three 'episodes' like this he just started whining and grabbing my arm when he saw another dog. It was about being keyed up, not about handler aggression, but still not the response to go for. The corrections turned his excitement into anxiety and then I had TWO problems. It's embarrassing to admit, but there it is.

I resorted to doing obedience commands in the presence of other dogs from a distance, gradually working my way closer. When I had no choice but to pass very close to another dog I used a cup full of peanut butter to lead him past. Now I don't need peanut butter anymore, but he still looks to me in happy anticipation when another dog approaches instead of freaking out. I still carry the peanut butter to reward him sometimes for his MUCH improved reaction. Desensitization most definitely seems to be the way to go here if your dog isn't aggressive.

Thanks everyone for all your advice!

Yes, I'm using a flat collar at the moment, and from what you've all said, I think I'll continue doing so. I agree that he's not aggressive towards other dogs at the moment, and I don't want him to become so. I suspect that his behaviour on walks is an extension of his territorial behaviour at home; we've only had him for a month and he hasn't nearly had enough time to explore (with us) all of our village, so he's probably still trying to figure out for himself where his territory is and where he's going to tolerate other dogs to be.

Another reason not to go to a prong collar is that his leash behaviour is otherwise excellent; he doesn't strain, except when there are other dogs around, and he's generally easy to control.

Yesterday we chalked up a half of a success when walking past a rather aggressive (and loose) golden who came within 20 yards barking. Darwin (and I) ignored him and just kept on walking. Unfortunately, on the way back, the other dog came right up to us; I had to turn to put myself between the two, and Darwin took this as an aggressive sign and reacted accordingly. I'm going to have to work on training myself to react appropriately in such situations too!

 Quote:

The problem is that where I live, almost all dogs are left loose without leash or fence. That means that even if we move on, the other dog often follows, keeping a 20 yard distance. I assumed that the best response is to walk away, but is there a better way?

How about taking your dog some place to exercise where all these loose dogs are not at?

Is there no laws where you are about people letting there dogs run loose?

 Quote: Jason Sidener

Is there no laws where you are about people letting there dogs run loose?

Yeah, there are laws
There are laws that all dogs must be microchipped too, but most aren't - witness the fact that we got a rescue who was in good condition, nearly pure-bred, obviously a family pet who ran away, but the owners hadn't bothered to chip him.

There's one dog warden in the area who's meant to round up unleashed dogs and take them to the pound, but I've never heard of that happening. I think he only concentrates of true strays, although if he did round up all the loose pets, I bet you'd see people taking better care of their dogs.

Also, about half the houses have dogs - just imagine trying to run the gauntlet of 20 loose dogs when you come out of your house and walk down the street...

As I said elsewhere, we're about 20 years behind the USA and Europe in animal welfare.