Well, Barbara, I was writing my long-winded response and everyone beat me, and with much better posts than mine!

Great posts!

 Quote: barbara schuler

... A good pack leader would never just take his "pack" to go play with the wolves on the other mountain...

This made me burst out laughing. It's perfect!

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: barbara schuler

... A good pack leader would never just take his "pack" to go play with the wolves on the other mountain...

This made me burst out laughing. It's perfect!

Not unless they were hungry

 Quote: barbara schuler

... A good pack leader would never just take his "pack" to go play with the wolves on the other mountain...

Unless.........the pack leader needed a break from the demands of a very energetic or needy pack member and felt maybe those other wolves would do a better job meeting his/her needs...

Michele, I've been there and done that. I throw it out there because if that is the case; there are much better ways to spend your time with your dog and build your bond as you expend his energy. Marker training was a godsend for both me and my dog.

what I don't like about dog parks is the fact that often the owners treat their dogs as furry little people. dogs are dogs

The people that drive me crazy are the people that treat public lands as 'dog parks'.

eta,
I control my dogs, I expect the same courtesy from others.

Yes! Don't you love it when people say,"My dog is friendly" AAAHH... and then they have a dog out of control on a flat collar running into your dogs face and they get pissed when your dog takes a chunk out of their dog.. or they think you are rude when you say, rather loudly, "my dog isn't"!!! You know, you have to take a test to be able to drive a car.. Maybe they should have a test for people to see if they have enough brains to own a dog.... (I know probably a dumb idea, but I just returned from a walk and yes, sooo many "friendly dogs" out there)

Yea, this really does make alot more sense. I know EXACTLY what you mean about having to remember every minute in working with him how I have to be in control and aware of my actions and the energy I'm sending. It doesn't come naturally to me either and I really do believe that Brody knows it too. I walk him 2 to 3 miles a day in the Park (for people) and that has helped alot but he's always waiting for me to "fall asleep on the job" so he can take over!!!! So I'm here and learning, finding ways to do things better and smarter...so I thank you again for your response. I am really greatful for this leerburg website. I have already learned alot but there's so much more to learn.

http://leerburg.com/dogtrainingebooks.htm

Michele, No one on this site was born with their talents or knowlege, as intimidating as it can be to see / read some of the talent they possess in regard to training their dogs. Everyone started somewhere.

Check out the free ebooks on the link above, if you haven't already. They are a great place to start.

CS:That excitement level is dialed back with the desensitizing work. Excitement is not something that I immediately construe as happiness.

You make an excellent point here. I get mixed signals from his body language, the posture is tense than goes into submission than back to tense then loose with tail wagging. I've seen it other dogs too but its not something that makes me comfortable.

CS: Desensitizing is gradual. It starts at the edge of the dog's reactivity zone.Desensitizing isn't avoiding the issue.

And that's exactly why I am attracted to the idea. But I must admit I've got more work to do leading up to this point. I live in an apparment so it's a little more challenging finding places to work with him.

I was working as a fundraiser at an animal shelter and he came in at 4 weeks needing foster care. I've had him ever since. I will say tho, I've had dogs ALL my life but never had one with so much dominance. So I've REALLY had to retrain my self & my thinking once I realized this wasn't some kind of puppy phase.

In response to your question about seeing me as his pack leader who fully engages him.....truthfully, for the most part I would say yes to the pack leader part. If we're on a walk and there is some with a couple of unruly dogs he looks but without reaction in the least. Even if they come close to us on one of those extend-a-leashes that I HATE, he follows MY lead. I will admit, however, that I'm probably failing in the "fully engaging" him part. I'm trying to find more ways to do that. Appartment life makes it makes it harder.