I watched a dog show (are there any other kinds of good t.v. shows - actually there are :) ), and it was about aggressive dogs. The dogs tried to attack other dogs off leash, ran off, bit people, lunged at people, etc. The dogs went to a trainer who taught them dog obedience. But he said that an important thing to do is to place a pen (I would use a thin dowel, so the pen doesn't break) in the dog's mouth and make him close his mouth. As they start to walk, every time the dog dropped the pen, he would make him sit, then he put the pen back in his mouyth. Then they kept walking. After I don't know how many times or days, the dog would ignore other dogs, not bark in the house, no lunging, not biting The pen would be in his mouth for each walk.

So if anyone tries this, let me know :)

I have a friend with a grumpy GSD bitch who will snap at strange dogs if tshe feels uncomfortable arond them,. Her owner us3es a ball that she loves to carry, and as long as she has the ball in her mouth she can't be bothered to grump at other dogs!

Obviously if a dog attacked her she would drop the ball and defend herself, but is willing to be more tolerqant than she otherwise might be when she has the ball.

Of course this would not work if th4 dog was possesive of toys and thought the other dog would pinch it.

Horses for coursesd, dogs and peoiple are unique and different things work.

Similar principle.

Yeah, that does sound similar! :)

We did exactly the same with our dog to stop him barking at strangers ! :) Worked beautifully - he was far too busy looking after his ball to consider dropping it to bark :)

Daisy