My dog is not respectful of "personal space".

[Kayos and Havoc]

If this is fear based aggression correction will only worsen it. However it sounds like barrier frustration and excitement and not fear based aggression.

Prongs can work 2 ways on this and I have seen both. The prong can ramp the dog up into more excitement or cause a dog to become aggressive with other dogs as every time it seems a dog it receives an uncomfortable correction. Ruq's method works to thwart the behavior but in reality does not teach the dog not to perform the behavior.

I would first insure you are not setting this up in the dog by tensing up or getting 'mushy' when you see other dogs or people. If you are sure you are approaching confidently then you next need to work on teaching better behavior in distractions by using her commands and highly rewarding the behavior while the distractor is further away and low level. Use the turn around and get out of dodge method for the times when she is not listening or too distracted to pay you any heed.

You can also start playing a game with her. Let her look and reward the look wile the distractor is further away and she can be sucessful. As soon as she looks mark her with a happy "Yes" and give her a treat. When she hears your mark and gets the reward she will begin making positive associations and the look becomes a leave it as she begins to automatically look at her distractor and then check back in with you. Over time you can close the distance. This game is described in detail in Leslie McDevitt's book "Control Unleashed".

You always want to have a few tricks in your bag. The look game is one, turn around and go is another. Another one I have used a lot is simply start tossing food on the ground as you approach and keep at it until you re passed the distractor. Use small treat that are very tasty and of course do not toss them by the handful but rather a piece at a time a few feet in front of her so you can keep moving.

Another thing..... don't yell, do not over react as this is seen by her as a reason to react negatively. Always smile, be upbeat, keep moving. You can move in an arc around the distractor.

One question for you.... do you have expectations that she should greet all dogs and people that you meet on walks? If yes, this may actually set up tension and excitement in her and make it harder for her. I used to have those expectations of my dog because I thought it would make her like other dogs. In actually the requirement to meet all dogs (and people) that we meet on walks really created stress and my dog would act out in distance increasing behavior (bark/lunge) due to stress and not true aggression. As soon as I realized that and quit expecting that on walks she quit reacting.

If you do chose an ecollar, please follow Lou's advice. I am not keen on them but have used one under a professional's guidance. we are fortunate to have Lou here as he is a pro with them.

[aubie]

Quote: I would first insure you are not setting this up in the dog by tensing up or getting 'mushy' when you see other dogs or people.

While I don't get mushy, I do use a fun tone, much like our play tone and say "Do you see those people?" What are those people doing?" type of banter when we come up to people. Once we pass them she gets a "good girl!" Since I make it sound fun not only does she pay attention to me (since I'm sounding all fun) it eases her mind of coming up to strangers.

[meisha98]

Try using leave it and keep on walking by people and other dogs for a while. Once she realizes she doesn't meet and greet everyone, she may calm down on her own. My Lainey is overly friendly this way and that is how it was addressed in our obedience class. Once they know leave it and how to walk properly, it shouldn't be such a struggle to just walk. Lainey got so she can ignore people and/or dogs going by. I say "leave it" and we keep going. I think some people actually appreciate knowing they aren't going to get jumped at or on. Are they offended because I don't necessarily want my dog to meet them? I doubt it.

[Myra]

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Thank you for the tips all, much appreciated!

Brightelf I am so relieved to have found someone who has the same issues. You described my girl so perfectly...lol!

I have been working on the sit and "off" - she is too busy panting and pulling to care!

I am hanging in. At home she is just a big baby.

We are starting more training in a group setting on Sept 26th. I did not find the private training was working for us.

This is the first time I had a dog of my own. I am very happy I chose a German Shepherd.

[Myra]

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Yes, that is a great idea, make it fun!