"dogtek" wrote in message
oups.com...
Getting his attention is nearly impossible, but I will keep at it.
One thing I have noticed is that PATIENCE is the key. I can only
imagine how much it is ME that is actually being trained!

I also need techniques for introducing him to other dogs. He is
aggressive, but one time I muzzled him and then turned him loose with
the neighbor's dog. After about 10 minutes I was able to remove the
muzzle and they did fine together. I was thinking about muzzling him
and then going to a dog park. I don't think he could injure any other
dogs with the muzzle on. I am really trying to find a positive way to
do this...


JMO, but I think it would be better to intruduce him to other dogs on a more
individual basis, rather than a dog park. I wouldn't do the 'dog park'
thing until he's already been socialized to the point where you feel he is
reliable. A rescue dog I have was a bit dog aggressive when we first got
her. She is a rottie mix. I kept her leashed when intruducing her to other
dogs, one at a time. As soon as she began to show any sort of aggression, I
corrected her. If necessary, I put her down on her side in submission,
until she was completely submissive. When necessary, I used a muzzle on her
with certain dogs only. Left the muzzle on until I felt like she understood
the connection between 'aggression and muzzle', keeping her onleash so I
could immediately correct her for any sort of behavior that wasn't
acceptable. There were a couple times, after I took the muzzle off, but
still had her leashed, that she would begain to get very alpha again. As
soon as I saw her do it, I told her NO, a couple times slapping that muzzle
back on her again. It didn't take too long for her to learn which of the
behaviors were negative and would result in the return of the muzzle. I
didn't let her off leash until I was certain she understood what all this
*meant*, cause and effect, until she understood that she was not to attack
the other dog.

td