Nice looking boy, really hoping you can get this sorted!! Gotta agree though ditch the collar!!

I agree with the others, I would get rid of the big leather collar, that is not going to help with corrections and it is probably very satisfying for him to pull on it. I would get the Dominant Dog collar as a back up to the prong. I don't like the prong alone when the dog has serious lunging activity to correct. I suspect a properly placed prong backed up by a dominant dog collar would do wonders for increasing communication with your dog.

Always make sure your collars are right up behind his ears when you are giving direction through the leash and collar. I also recommend watching the Michael Ellis videos on the free streaming video page:

http://leerburg.com/stream/videolist.php

Invest in a treat training pouch and start rewarding your dog when he gets things right. For example, Jethro's heel position has improved immensely since I started giving him a Good Dog and a treat as we walk and he holds his place.

Also, Jethro is much better at Settling and Place since I started giving him a treat on his day bed when he is well-behaved.

If you give your dog things to do that he can succeed at, you are going to have more things you can do with him when you want him to avoid doing things that are dangerous or unwanted.

Well written response Jenny!

I had also thought this;
If the dog hasn't been getting enough exercise, before correcting with prong, he first needs to learn what is expected thru treat/marker training before corrections!!

I had kinda felt sorry for this dog: He finally gets out for a walk, only to get jerked around by a prong = not a good setup!

Train behavior with treat/marker first, then.. correct if needed.
Although, common sense with walking on prong, would be not much correction would be needed, as the whole purpose of a prong is the self correcting of the collar.

Just my .02!

Good advice thanks and the leather collar is real loose and is nowere near the prong, ill try geting a smaller prong but like someone else stated I should try working with markers with a handler agressive dog.
I'm waiting for kathay to call me back with some info,and I also contacted the breeder to see if he can come up with anything

Michael -
Yours has kind of developed into one of those "..can't look away.." threads -I'm really concerned for you also and noted from history that this has actually been going on since last summer..has anyone called you back locally to help?

no not yet kathy that i spoke with on sunday said she would get back to me in a few days with some names ,and the breeder said get him fixed first so im going to do that on monday.

WAIT WAIT!
That's probably (as in not) not going fix the problem you're trying to address.

This is a "giant" breed dog, that ALREADY doesn't get enough exercise, and you want to neuter him?

He's going to put on excessive weight, and end up with massive structural issues. Please keep him intact until he's older if possible.

You're only creating issues, without fixing any.

Ditch the collar. Seriously. You're begging to have your dog put to sleep by giving it an overly aggressive appearance on top of actually HAVING aggression issues.

At this rate, if you're being HONEST here, your dog is wearing what, four collars on walks? A prong collar, a dominant dog collar, a flat collar to attach the muzzle to, and that monstrosity of a leather S&M thing? He must look like he's on his way to one very interesting evening party.

You need the prong collar- I don't think anyone on this forum has a modicum of faith in your ability to train this dog to heel using markers anytime soon, and this dog needs exercise NOW. You won't be able to train the dog to do ANYTHING until he's getting adequate exercise.

WAIT on neutering and go read my past posts. I have a large breed dog, 88 pounds at 11 months today who has a multitude of joint problems and Neutering him at six months could have possibly made it worse. At the least, it def didn't help.

This is a training/exercise problem. It will not magically go away when you neuter him. And this is coming from someone who has always pushed spay/neuter. I still believe it is good for the community but wait until he has matured!!

Really try and listen to everyone's advice with the prong and exercise. Take it a step at a time, burn his energy then go from there. Everyone here will help you along the way, but you have to be willing to try their advice.

Good luck!

Michael,
I was having a really hard time getting a trainer and I finally found a really excellent guy who knows what he is doing by emailing Triple Crown Academy and Tom Rose School. If you are still having a hard time finding someone you may want to ask these schools for a referral. Good luck!