What to do to correct dog agression to other dogs?

I'll say what everyone else is dancing around: The dog should be put down. It is a danger to other animals- and likely humans, too.

I don't interpret these responses as "dancing around" anything. SIL has trained dogs such as this with great results. An animal behaviorist is definitely in order, as is a full medical exam if there hasn't been one. If the dog is not neutered (my apologies if that's stated somewhere and I missed it) that would be step number one. One of the major causes of inappropriate dog behavior is inappropriate owner behavior, i.e. your tensing up is causing the dog to snap. While agree the breed doesn't lend itself to necessarily being a social dog, there are many breeds that some would like to eliminate for the same reasons. Before you take the potentially unnecessary step of euthanizing the dog, PLEASE try a behavior specialist who can analyze the dog AND you. Also, please keep us informed as to how you make out.

When I adopted Jack, a Cattle Dog - he had some serious dog-aggression problems towards large dogs. Since he also wanted to attack dangerous things like lawn mowers/cars, etc - I invested in a very good electric shock collar. The key to making the collar work is being able to read the dog's body language; and timing. And voltage. Since a Cattle Dog is a lot like a Catahoula - tough and hard to distract once "locked" onto their target - you need to make an impression. And before folks howl about how cruel this is - one well-timed correction is usually enough to stop a behavior for good. It's why they are used in snake-aversion training.

But I'll say this as politely as possible - if your dog is turning on YOU in the midst of its one-dog dogfight; then you need a professional to give you guidance, because you need to assert your authority a little better. If the e-collar isn't giving the message to your dog "Dad just said to sit and ignore the other dog, and I know he's the boss" - an ill-timed correction could actually tell your dog "See???! I just got hurt and if I don't kill that dog/person, it will hurt Dad, too!!!!!!"

And the e-collar never got Jack over his dog aggression - all it provided was the constant reminder that he was not allowed to fight with other dogs and when told to ignore something - he had to listen to me and walk away. Once he was controllable, I enrolled him in our local Kennel Club's obedience class, explaining to my instructor that he was there for socialization. They allowed me to use a pinch collar on him and were very encouraging, even when it might have appeared to the average dog owner that I was pretty tough on Jack. He did great, too. And in his 13 years of living with us - he could run loose with other extended-family dogs and NOT get into a fight.

So I believe that with a lot of effort, consistency, and proper mind-set (not "fear that we'll encounter another dog", but "determination that your dog will listen to and obey you"); your dog can be convinced to be a good citizen.

You need an animal behaviorist. They do work, don't need to be expensive and save lives.

I sent you a PM.

Dale

Caesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer, has several books and his Nat Geo television series. He has a dog behavior modification center in California where he works to rehabilitate dogs like yours. He can work miracles.:

I bought a dog collar that emits a high frequency annoying sound when the dogs start barking. However after a week or so, they got used to the sound, I think that something more powerful - but the same general idea of sound or vibrating collar will work?

I know that a friend had to introduce a bunch of dogs to his dog and keep him calm the whole time, even with kids riding bikes up and down the sidewalk while the owner calmed the dog the whole time. A time without food, and some dog kibble during the event did keep the dog calm.

Good luck!

Fred.

Agreeing with others who say you need to seek assistance from a veterinary behaviorist. That's a fully licensed vet who's had extra training in dealing with behavioral issues. You'll need a referral from your regular vet.

You've had her four years, Mike, and I know you're very attached to her. Would you say she is getting worse? I agree with the above responses and I'm worried that she is equally fond of you and trying to "Protect" you from everything and everybody. You've really got a stick of dynamite there. I agree with getting the muzzle and a very strong leash, but beyond that, I probably might ask the vet about some kind of medication to calm her down a bit. It must be hard on her to be on high alert all the time.

I'll say what everyone else is dancing around: The dog should be put down. It is a danger to other animals- and likely humans, too.

The only other viable option is continuous restraint/confinement/muzzling, all of which will only serve to make the dog more miserable than it is now.

All the above answers are correct. You have a serious problem for which there may be an answer--or no answer. I have volunteered at a no-kill dog rescue and seen dogs like this do a 100% about face (including my own wonderful rescue) with professional help. No way would I try to explain the techniques used--as it took professional help. But I have seen other dogs with identical problems where the same techniques were to no avail. This will be difficult for a full-timer if you are moving constantly. Hopefully you settle somewhere for several months and can get a good recommendation from shelters, groomers, or humane societies.

Meanwhile avoid other dogs. Don't try to socialize her without good, professional help.

On edit...I will say that the techniques that worked with my dog involved around 20 weekly sessions in a controlled setting with other dogs where I could provide immediate corrections and rewards with the trainer (who was also working with the other dogs) by my side. No way would it have ever worked on my own, in RV parks, etc.

I am sorry to say this, but as one who has trained retrievers professionally, from the very little bit of information you provided, it sounds like you may have a very dangerous dog. You need to find someone who is credentialed, not just self appointed, in animal behavior to do a thorough evaluation on your dog. Until that evaluation is completed and a strategy is developed, that dog should not be in the presence of or even in sight of other dogs, people, and especially children. Also, that dog should be muzzled at all times until if ever reliability stable in the presence of other dogs, small animals, children, and adults. Unfortunately, that breed does not lend itself to being very sociable so the odds are against you that you will ever have a stable dog.