First time poster -want to start by saying how grateful I am to have found Leerburg (through a simple prong collar link on my rescue site!) and this forum. You folks are great and I look forward to being part of this community...
Have had a 10-month-old rescue pittie for 5 weeks now -to keep this short and concise -her biggest issue is reacting to other dogs on leash. She jumps and yips -and while it appears to be apprehension rather than dominance/aggression -it's obnoxious.
I've been marking "look" to redirect and have tossed treats for "find it" tracking game to break eye contact with some success. I have group ob class coming up in a month and hope to get a more neutral mind set before then -any suggestions?

 Quote: hilarie coby

First time poster -want to start by saying how grateful I am to have found Leerburg (through a simple prong collar link on my rescue site!) and this forum. You folks are great and I look forward to being part of this community...
Have had a 10-month-old rescue pittie for 5 weeks now -to keep this short and concise -her biggest issue is reacting to other dogs on leash. She jumps and yips -and while it appears to be apprehension rather than dominance/aggression -it's obnoxious.
I've been marking "look" to redirect and have tossed treats for "find it" tracking game to break eye contact with some success. I have group ob class coming up in a month and hope to get a more neutral mind set before then -any suggestions?

First thing is to make sure you stay relaxed and confident and stay aware of your surroundings so you can be proactive rather than reactive. I know this isn't always easy. If you think it would help you, teach the dog to wear a basket-style muzzle by associating it with treats and good things.

When on a walk, be constantly aware of the surroundings and as soon as you see another dog turn and go another direction, or ask for some obedience exercises such as, for example, alternating sits and downs. Reward for compliance. Basically do something to get and keep the dog's attention off the on coming dog before he gets fixed on the dog.

I'm sure others will have more suggestions but I hope this helps some. Welcome to the forum.

I would not take this dog to a group OB class.

Group obedience classes should be limited to dogs who are already trained, and need distraction work- not dogs who are just beginning their training. It really is a recipe for disaster in many ways.

It may not help but I had group OB in the past and was a waste, I now take private lessons and my will not cooperate dog is now very good. And it is much more fun and rewarding for all of us. I can had distractions when we are ready for it.

 Quote: Aaron Myracle

I would not take this dog to a group OB class.

Group obedience classes should be limited to dogs who are already trained, and need distraction work- not dogs who are just beginning their training. It really is a recipe for disaster in many ways.

I couldn't agree more with any of this. If you take a leash reactive dog to a group class before they're ready, it's going to make things MUCH worse.

This kind of problem can be fixed, but it usually takes months, not weeks.

I would work on desensitization exercises with this dog. Get really solid focus work away from dogs first (look, heel, etc) with lots of rewards and gradually work closer to other dogs, always staying outside of the 'reactivity' zone.

The more the dog has an opportunity to practice reactive behavior, the more ingrained it will be, so it's really important to try and set up situations that are far enough away.

Unless the dog is redirecting on you, you shouldn't need a muzzle since your training should not be close enough to other dogs to evoke a reaction.

I would also avoid correcting this behaviour (like with a leash pop or an e-collar). Often all this does is create MORE tension and anxiety, and it can make things about ten times worse.

It's best if your behaviour is calm and non-reactive, and there is plenty of reinforcement (food, toys) for calm, appropriate behavior.

Thanks -this is helpful. I have started with Ed's videos as well as the previous (personal) trainer of my now departed AmStaff. She is fine around his two dogs during training -she is fine playing with my son's APBT but we led up to it carefully and incrementally. I heartily agree with setting up a foundation of success with redirection and appropriate behavior to "rewire" the reaction -and I certainly agree on the inadvisability of throwing her into a group environment before she is ready! I had my previous girl starting from 3 months -it is far more challenging coping with previous history and mopping up from whatever they did or didn't do (the hacked job of her ear crop makes me suspicious)...

In addition to the excellent ideas you have already been given, I highly recommend looking into a "game" called "Look at That". The game is in the book Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt. You can find lots of information by googling it or searching youtube for videos.

And one last "goodie" by Patricia McConnell: http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/tag/control-unleashed

..super helpful site -THANKS!!!