[pupresq]

To me this is almost certainly not dominance aggression. The fact that he got defensive from a distance but later was fine with her says to me that he's afraid of strange dogs. Dominance manifests really differently. Sounds like your dog is reactive and fearful of other dogs, but takes his fear on the offense, which I know is counterintuitive. You would think if they were scared, they'd shy away not lunge towards but for some reason many do exactly what he does. I see this a lot in small dogs but I've got a 90lb foster here who is the same way.

Dominance aggression is very often incorrectly diagnosed with really serious consequences; be very careful of "trainers" and some training books that will encourage you to practice "alpha rolls" or harsh corrections and the like with him when your dog reacts. In all likelihood this will just scare him further and exacerbate the whole situation. A dominance-oriented program like NILIF on the other hand, can still help a dog like yours because it's about helping him understand what is expected of him and that you are in charge - not only of the resources, but also of protecting you both and knowing what's a threat and what's not.

I agree with John 100% that he needs to understand that you are on top of the threat situation so he doesn't need to get upset and that future interactions need to be really carefully controlled - because you could be setting the other dog up to develop a similar fear.

In my experience most dogs can get over this and do very well but when you're dealing with a large dog who could seriously hurt another dog, that certainly makes it harder to do the necessary socializing safely.

If you can do so, I would encourage doing a lot of positive-based obedience in an area where there are other dogs around but where he isn't interacting with any of them so he learns to relax with other dogs, though I guess he's already had this. What's he like normally during obedience class?

 

[pupresq]

Sometimes dogs are just more reactive than others, even without a prior bad experience or reason.

And you mentioned that in your earlier class a dog lunged at him? I've seen some dogs stir up trouble with other dogs and then get snapped at themselves, but still end up being scrared by it. It's like they go in expecting trouble, they create trouble, and then they're like "See?!? I told you it was scary!" Come to think if it, I know kids like that too!

Reading back over your posts, I have a theory - and please don't take this the wrong way or as me blaming you because I mean it to be totally constructive and you sound like a great and very observant dog owner - but it may be that he's picking up on a nervousness vibe with you that he doesn't get from your fiance and that's coming down the leash and making him more nervy with other dogs when it's just the two of you.

Is it possible when you get to class some part of you is going "Oh geez! Here we go! I hope he's going to act ok!" and then once you get in and get settled you relax so so does he?

I have noticed that some of my dogs/fosters are WAY more likely to get into scraps with each other or act up with my husband than with me. With him they sense that he's a little nervous and worried and that makes them a little nervous and worried; with me it's like "Oh, mom's the biggest baddest dog in town. She's got it covered. I can go back to sleep."