Distracted by other dogs - Page 1

My 22 month old male GSD has a problem when walking on the leash when a person with another dog approaches. He pulls on the lead, barks furiously given the chance, he appears he wants to attack them. Once the dog has passed, he will look over his shoulder for quite some time as the dog disappears before he behaves. Undistracted by other dogs, he is perfectly controllable and obedient, fine with other people, keeps his eye on them until they pass but no issues. He walks off the leash perfectly under voice control except if another dog appears, absolutely nothing will remove his attention away from the other dog.

I have seen and know of this exact situation with other GSD's believed as patten of behaviour common to the breed??. I am hoping that someone experienced in correcting this behaviour could provide some basic advice where to begin.

This is a very common problem with leashed dogs. At 22 months, he is probably challenging them (male dominance behaviour.)

Take him to obedience class, and work with him around other dogs until he learns to ignore them!

You can train him out of this yourself, but I'm not confident you have the expertise to do it without the help of a trainer. Also, it will happen much faster in OB class, because he'll be exposed to so many dogs at one time.

Don't let this become an ingrained habit. The longer it goes on, the harder it will be to fix. There is also the possibility he might break away from you, and attack the other dog. If he doesn't attack, he will certainly scare the wits out of the other dog's owner, as well as possibly getting hit by a car if you're walking beside a road.

BTW, the behaviour has nothing to do with the breed, though his age and sex are likely a factor. My 26 month female is very easily distracted by passing dogs too, though she doesn't bark and lunge. We're working hard to correct this, but since I have to do it on the street, and rely on passing dogs (no OB classes in this one-horse town!) it's taking awhile!

In many cases this behavior starts as a result of even a single instance of being attacked by other dogs as a young dog or pup. Try and think back and remember if this happened with your dog. It can be quite difficult to get rid of because the dog decides, as it grows, that offense is the best form of defense. You will have to sensitize your dog by exerting calm, strong leadership (the leader of the pack decides if any other member of the pack can be permitted to be aggressive towards others) If you tense up when you approach another dog expecting this to happen, your dog will sense it too and show aggression.Try asking someone who has a very stable dog for their help and teach your dog to obey you in its presence. Obedience classes are sure to help too because of the other dogs around.

 Do you know someone who owns a no issue dog that could walk with you and your dog??(big dog)

Start by walking behind the other dog..not to close just that your dog can pick the scent (about 15feets).  When this goes good and you have your dog on total control..you start walking in front and you correct the dog if he turns his head to look at the other dog without stop walking.  Then when this is good you start walking  side by side both dogs under control..Always pick a prtner with NO issues!! A calm dog that will calm down yours..

For me there is two things maybe involved..either a lack of control from you on your dog (no real leadership) Or it is a lack of communication skills from your dog..(from experience or no contact or bad contact with own species).

Does he has any contact with other dogs?? 

If you are scared..put a muzzle on him when you do those exercice (I prefer using a basket muzzle). So you will feel confident and pass that throught the leash...If you have any doubt being able to do that..call a trainer..but be careful the type of training that he will use..It could get worse with some method..

Put a muzzle on him

Let him loose in your local park

Repeat exercise daily till he is sociable

 I kinda agree with you on this one..that is what I would probably do..altought would drink my coffee there!!

I begin early at (6 months) with a long line.   As far as a 22 month old I would say some of the same principles should apply, only its a lot harder.  Hes really big now..LOL
Use a pinch collar and a strong 6 foot leash, walk at a fast pace and anytime he diverts his attention from you lock the leash to yourself, give him the slack, and make a sharp turn in the opposite direction moving again at a fast pace.
Don't stop, don't turn around and look, just keep on going.  It would be best to set up these types of situations with various helpers.  If he actualy trys to bite another dog pick him up as high as you can and hold him until he thinks hes going to strangle by pulling the leash over your shoulder.
This isn't just a GSD problem either.
You have an attention and obedience problem that should have been delt with at a much earlier age.
You could go back to basics with a conventional choker and a long line if your strong enough but I think you probably should find someone else to do the heavy work.    Offer up every kind of distraction you can find and follow the same pattern.  When hes not paying attention you change directions, no warning, no give on the line.  Its hard to do at this age and don't ever let the line get around your legs.
Later when he learns to pay attention to you then you can socialize him around other dogs.
Yes I know, this is right out of one of William Koehlers books.  

If you start out with a young dog and its a smart dog they learn so quickly.   And until you have the dogs attention nothing will work.   I see his logic with the long line, the dog has no other recourse but to pay attention to what your doing.
Since I don't do Schutzhund this works for me.

 My one year old female barks and lunges on a pinch collar ane 6' lead...luckily she's only 60 lbs and I can see it coming so I have a tight hold on the leash when she does it.  She's halfway through OB right now with personal trainer, and we've informed him of her issues with other dogs, so we'll cross that bridge at a later point.