This is an excellent forum for me....my male nuetered GSD who just turned 2 in April continues to stare down other dogs even if I catch him first....he is not reactive all the time as today we passed by 3 dogs and it was the last dog an American Bulldog he fired off on...
I will tell him to look at me...he will for a moment and then stare the dog down again..I try to keep his attention with treats but he already knows that I am doing this for a reason which just makes him more anxious..I have tried turning in the other direction but he will try to look around me... I try not to give a correction as he is connected to the prong on walks....
I am going to order the marker training video eventhough it is not a preferred training by the trainer whom we have been going to since 6 months.
He is great around children, small animals including cats as long as I have him go into a down and tell him easy....as he does have a large prey drive...

Only other problem I have with him is when other dogs are recalled, whether in Obedience class or while training with a friend he fires off....the trainer and I have observed that he is very keen and watches other dogs and anticipates their movement.

Any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 Quote: Susan Watkins

... I am going to order the marker training video. ...

I think that would be a great help.

Have you done focus work?

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: susan watkins

... I am going to order the marker training video. ...

I think that would be a great help.

Have you done focus work?

I don't want to hijack THIS thread, but by "focus" work, do you mean marking and rewarding when the dog looks at you?

 Quote: nora ferrell

I don't want to hijack THIS thread, but by "focus" work, do you mean marking and rewarding when the dog looks at you?

Yes, that's how you would start.

It's for focusing on the handler.

I have been doing rewarding with dog treats or affection/smile/yes when he does focus on me...but have never been able to get him to be consistent whenever there is any type of distractions...such as outside or during training sessions if there are other dogs.

I have that DVD and the basic ob DVD. I don't know how I missed it being called focus or even how I missed it entirely, but while reading some of the other threads I saw where people commented on marking and rewarding the dog looking at you so that's when I started doing that. My dog looks at me all the time anyway (she never knows when the magic is going to happen) so it took the biggest part of 5 seconds for her to learn that one.

Susan, if you don't already know about marker training, read all the free stuff on this site, too. There are also some free videos. I downloaded the ipod things (the ones where Ed talks) and they are a great start until you get your DVD.

You will LOVE marker training. I am not one of the experienced handlers or trainers. I have a small companion dog. But, the marker training is sensational. It's so much fun and the dog learns in such a positive way. It makes you, the owner, the most interesting thing in their life.

First you get great response with no distractions, then very low-level, then slight change of venue, and so on. Other dogs are the highest level distractions and not beginner-level focus.

i have the same problem with my 3yr old gsd (neutered)..he has been in obedience school..now the thing is is that he loves our cat and my both of my sisters dog (one is a female gsd). other dogs he hates and i cannot get him to focus on me..on the other hand, i have taken him to several dog events and he will go up to some dogs and seem ok..body language ok..others not ok..i will have to check out the marker video..i don't think i have it. i did buy the dogtra collar and the wire muzzle..i take the muzzle with me at all events just in case..this past week though he has went after two dogs in the neighborhood and bit them..now all dogs in this neighborhood are territorial and none seem to like each other much. no matter how much i call for him, he does not focus on me.also..when he sees his reflection in the curio cabinet, fireplace, he thinks it is another dog..hackles go up..he will run to the fireplace, then run to the window beside it to see if he can see the dog from behind..he does this at least 20 times a day. he will see the dog in the tv stand, then look in the fireplace, then curio cabinet..all suggestions appreciated..thank you