training advice

[jennistarr1]

2 and a half year old Australian Shepherd, love of our life...

but goes CRAZY on walks when he sees/hears another dog ...last night he was snapping/growling/barking and my knee got in the way and resulted in a "bite" (closed-skin bruise)

We're considering getting specific training about this...I guarantee it's something I am doing wrong, any adivce on things to try first?

[dearprudence]

Sounds like leash aggression to me. And it's something that is fairly common. I would look into a behaviorist as opposed to a trainer. Since this isn't really about "training" as much as it is about learning how to manage behaviors and create more desirable ones.

[patches31709]

Our dog is highly leash reactive, especially in our neighborhood. If we are walking head on towards another dog, I have learned that I need to stop, focus him on me, and wait for the other dog to pass. I make him sit, make him use his "watch me" (eye contact with me, which we taught just for this), and treat like crazy. When we started, I had to squat down and hold his color to make sure he stayed, but he is better now.

You can try just redirecting his attention onto you without stopping, it could work if the reaction isn't too extreme. Another thing to try is the second you sense him beginning to ramp up, turn around quickly and walk back the other way. He doesn't get to go forward if he isn't behaving. When he calms down, turn back around again, but be prepared to not get anywhere for a while. This doesn't work for us, but does work for some dogs.