Kori,
What kind of collar are you using?

My other question is; if you don't care if he ever interacts with another dog, does it really matter if it's agression or not? I mean, why take any grieve over it? Tell him no, and mean it. He knows what no means, doesn't he? If he knows that, it's enough. 'No'....... and then put a stop to his nonsense.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

 Quote: randy allen

Kori,
What kind of collar are you using?

Right now I'm using a flat leather collar. I just purchased an e-collar along w/Ed's DVD on how to use it properly. I'm currently studying the DVD, and today I started conditioning Kodee to wear the collar.

 Quote: randy allen

My other question is; if you don't care if he ever interacts with another dog, does it really matter if it's agression or not? Randy

It matters only in that: #1: I want to educate myself, and I'd like to know what this behavior is. I own a dog, and I'd like to be an educated dog owner. I'd like to know the correct terminology for the behavior that I'm seeing.

#2: If I ever own another dog (and I'm sure I will eventually), if I did something to contribute to this behavior, knowing that could keep me from repeating my mistake.

#3. Of course he knows what "no" means. No need to be snide. I just stated that we're moving to the "correction" phase, as he doesn't always listen.

Oh, yeah, Reason #4:

 Quote: kori bigge

If I can't get him to ignore other dogs (that's my goal - I could care less if he actually "liked" them), he will not pass either the CGC or the therapy dog exams. Not to mention, it's a pita when I want to take him to the park or go for a walk in public. (We've never been to a dog park, and never will, just FYI.)

Thanks for the input, Randy. This was especially helpful:

 Quote: randy allen

I mean, why take any grieve over it? Tell him no, and mean it. He knows what no means, doesn't he? If he knows that, it's enough. 'No'....... and then put a stop to his nonsense.

Maybe I'm wrong (and I'm sure you'll let me know if I am), but I think if this were all the info anyone needed to make a dog obey it's handler, Ed wouldn't sell nearly so many training DVD's. JMO.

Kori,
Put a collar on him he'll pay attention to. It's called a pinch collar.

If my dog isn't learning I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

 Quote: randy allen

Kori,
Put a collar on him he'll pay attention to. It's called a pinch collar.

I just bought an e-collar. I'm can't find the threads on it, but I thought Ed said that a prong (pinch) collar may exacerbate dog aggression. Or maybe I'm remembering wrong...

A remote collar can also. I'm pretty sure Ed suggests a dominant dog collar for aggression problems. Check out the article on dominant and aggressive dogs. Also the video of the same topic is a good resource.

Thanks, Matt.
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I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here, but is what I have described actually dog aggression? I'm not trying to be obtuse, but I haven't had a problem w/this behavior until a couple of mos ago. It seems he hates cats, too. Someone has said that true dog aggression is usually present at an earlier age. I still haven't really gotten an answer to my original question.

So does this sound like dog aggression? If so, I'll definitely handle it as such. Thanks!

No.

If you give a correction early enough with an e-collar or a prong you should not get an escalation of aggression. A correction too late with an e-collar or a prong will amp him up even more.
You need to be picking up on his early body language and correcting him.
Keep him busy (fast paced ob with changes of speed and direction and eye contact) when the other dogs are in sight so that he has to concentrate on you instead of them (easier said than done).

I noticed a similar dog-aggressive interest 6 months ago in our 2 1/2 year old GSD. she would give a dog 'the stare' and start to lunge forward on her leash. we began to work her thru this at her weekly dog training OB classes at a local k9 academy. she was on leather lead, DD and prong , heeling as were 10 other GSD dogs. she was trained not to 'stare down' or lunge at other dogs while on leash by my giving her the quick leash pop and 'leave it' command instantaneously if she started aggressively lunging at other dogs. after the classses we visited with a few other handselected (much larger) GSD dogs in the class who were known to be friendly . she then play-bowed and was allowed to run around and play with them. after 3 months of this socializing and training she is now fine towards animals of all kinds.

My GSD did the same thing, right about at 1yr old. He had been friendly with other dogs, and I would often (stupidly, I realize now) have him off leash. Certain walking trails where I live this is acceptable, and it was never a problem, until about that year mark. The first time I saw him in a tussle with a big white fluffy dog, the woman who owned that dog hitting my dog with a newspaper, I realized I had made a huge error of judgement. Luckily no one was injured in that fiasco, and I learned a good lesson.

Now I usually have a prong collar on my dog, and an ecollar, for walks, even if I may not use either the whole time. Some trails where I live now are a lot more populated than others. He's always on a leash, and as we approach another dog if I notice he's starting his stare down, I'll say "leave it" and give him a stim on the ecollar. If he continues, I'll turn it up, say "no" "leave it" and give another stim, until his stare has been broken. Usually one good stim is all that's needed, for him to "remember" his manners. If I've misjudged and he starts a lunge towards the other dog, I know that a flat collar, a 100 lb dog, and me aren't going to work, so the prong comes in handy and stops him dead in his tracks.

I do intend to learn more about the dominant dog collar, which I own, but just haven't re-familiarized myself with recently. Most dogs we approach that he starts acting like this around it's more of an exhuberant playful he wants to meet them attitude, not aggression, so I don't want to overcorrect him either.

Long story short, this method has been working for me, and most dogs we can walk calmly by, without incident now. My GSD is now a little over 2yrs old. Good luck! I hope my post wasn't too rambling.