I think probably we can get her started in the right direction here and now, free of charge! No need for a trainer right yet, though it is helpful (as long as they're worth a damn). From what I've read, and what this sounds like, I'm going to go with a fear aggressive/reactivity that needs to be addressed with a desensitizing routine. Which if you do a search on the forums for Desensitize, it will come up with all kinds of things.

Your dog food treats are not high enough in value to get his attention, start using cooked chicken or low fat string cheese, or something like that. It will grab his attention more then dog food.

The basic premise of a desensitizing routine is to work your dog outside of his reactivity zone, and for him to maintain focus on you, not the dog off in the distance. (Yes, you need a dog he doesn't know for this) This is total positive reinforcement with NO corrections, if he reacts in a negative manner, then he gets taken further away from the other dog, and restart at square one.
The objective here is to get him closer, and closer over many repeated sessions to a strange dog without any reactivity. Until finally, he can sit next to another dog and be INDIFFERENT, your not looking for happy, your not looking for playtime. Indifference is what your looking for. From that point on, and for quite a long time he should be rewarded for every positive encounter he has with another strange dog, even if he just walks by them without a peep.

Now in order to help you with this, you need to brush up on your marker training skills. I HIGHLY suggest the marker training dvd here at Leerburg, but since things are tight in the pocketbook, then I do believe there are a few free videos with an intro to what marker training is. I don't know how your youtube video did it, but there's a right way and a wrong way. The Leerburg way is the right way. I will also suggest that you familiarize yourself with the Pack structure training dvd to become a more effective leader. There's also LOTS of free information right here about pack structure, you need only search , or ask!

Last but not least, we go to the NILIF program. ( Nothing In Life Is Free ) He must perform an obedience command, or other command before he is allowed to get what he wants. Toys, food, out the door, up on furniture (if you allow it), to be petted, anything. He must learn to be patient, and good house manners. This will also reinforce your status as a leader, and give him more confidence in you. This can be enacted today, at this very minute, and from here on out for the rest of his life. Be consistent, be fair, and be his leader. He doesn't need friends, he needs you to lead him.

Thanks, Ben.
Great instructions for you, Ashley.

Here are the video links for intro to markers AND Michael Ellis philosophy..., which is the system that Leerburg uses. This video previews marker training and teaches the beginning phases in detail. I STRONGLY suggest getting a notepad/pen and watching the Ellis video first.

http://leerburg.com/flix/player.php?id=529

http://leerburg.com/flix/searchResults.php?searchfor=marker

I'm not in a position to buy anything like DVDs or even books, I don't even own a car. But Leerburg is a BIG help, its an encyclopedia of info, you can even get intensive care here for serious issues, support and even a good laugh.

Ashley, I can sympathize with how scary it is to hear that low growl and know that it can escalate into a full blown reaction. A big change for me was to check my own fear when I see Jethro starting to fixate, as well as growling, barking, lunging, etc. I have adopted a very business like attitude to his antics and am having much better luck at either preventing an incident, or calmly handling whatever escalation occurs.

One fear I had, and experienced, was Jethro getting loose from me by making a lunge and the leash slipping out of my grasp. I also sustained a pretty bad finger sprain when he caught me at a bad angle. I now walk him with a large carpenter's belt slung across my shoulders, it is very comfortable. Jethro's leash is clipped to that with a large carabiner. I never have to worry about him getting away from me and it has helped me focus on more important things, like relaxing and working with his reactivity.

we have been approached by a few dogs on our walks and it has been pretty scary to get duke to move on (luckily none of these dogs have been unfriendly, but i am fearful for a day when an unfriendly dog, like my own, comes up to us)


We avoid any situation where loose dogs are going to be, the park, the river, we have changed our walking route numerous times. He is a very obedient and smart dog, his main issue is this aggression.


In the few times i have been to our ner neighborhood, after putting in and getting our offer accepted, i have noticed several loose dogs. How am i to exercise him if i am afraid to take him out of our house or yard?


wouldn't be able to forgive myself if he hurt another dog, or worse a little kid or something. (just a side note, he has never shown any aggression towards people, and isnt aggressive over food, or toys or anything)



Ashley- It sounds like your dog's only issue( and your biggest fear)is when he is intruded upon by unleashed dogs? Leash laws are in place for a reason, they are not optional…I’d be raising a stink to those that think they are the exception to this law. My dog ignores other dogs, should an off leash dog enter his orbit and pose a threat, all bets are off.

It sounds like you have a nice dog, keep him.

Go to the library you can borrow DVD's and books for free, most times they'll buy a book if they don't have it.