Ain't that the truth.

He's so big Kim, that I would concentrate on two things. Teach him to down, and to come. Make those the foundation of your solid obedience.

Keep him at a distance where he's aware of other dogs, but doesnt feel the need to go after them and he can pay attention to you.

I'd choose either E or prong, not switching back and forth.

Just when I think about my 80lb dutchie being "too big" I read this thread. LOL

I second the sticking with what collar works best and using that one. One of the worst things with reactive dogs is fumbling around with equipment....timing is so super important. And I second having a backup collar (my vote a DD collar).

Working on answers to a flood of questions but still grateful for all input. Just received (this minute) Basic Obedience Training in the mail. Will be working on that. I certainly understand your comment, Connie, re obedience training doesn't happen on walks with a reactive dog but, even so, he has to be walked at least a couple of times a day. I'm doing my best with the resources I've been able to find on my own (video with TriTronics eCollar was useless). Have bought video from this site re using the eCollar and dealing with dog aggression which are terrifically helpful as is this page.

"Hyper alert" used to mean 'terrified' after I saw what he could do to me (ie. drag me across a busy street to get to another dog). Since the videos, I am much more relaxed because he reacts instantly to stimulation by sticking to my hip but I am still scanning all the time for approaching dogs and trying to avoid situations in which I might have to use the collar (I live in an urban area). On the plus side, we seem to have a good relationship and he listens well. And I have a fenced yard and a carpeted basement in which to practice with him. While he is food motivated, he currently has v. bad diarrhoea so I'm not feeding him for 24 hrs. This will give me time to watch the videos...so that I can find out about marker training. This is great advice from people who think, like I do, that there is no substitute for solid obedience training. Kim

Kim, what town are you in? I have to deal with the heat as well and sometimes we have walk really early in the morning, like before the sun comes up.

On walks when you have a dog with long stride, it helps to make 'them' walk at your pace, the have to pay more attention to you.

Sometimes just taking a 'short' walk (taking twice as long than normal speed) will wear Hank out more than 40 minute run.

Make this boy THINK. Play the 'cup' game on the floor with him, is an easy one to start with.

Put three plastic cups on the floor with one treat inside and spin the cups and see if he can find the treat. They will play it for a while if food is involved.

And have fun with your miniature horse!

I also suggest getting some solid obedience on him. A dog larger than you are with dog aggression issues is a lawsuit waiting to happen if you don't get 100% control 100% now.

Not to mention in this day and age of law happy cities/states one accident that wasn't even fatal could incite the 'citizens' of your area to push for a dog ban. No one wants to see that!