My husband and I rescued a 4 year old lurcher about 4 months ago. He passed an initial assessment in the rescue centre and was judged suitable for first time dog owners (we've had family pets before, but this is the first of our own). He started showing some signs of distress around other dogs, and we were perhaps a bit too ready to believe this was caused by the stressful kennel environment - and went ahead with the adoption.

Since rehoming he's got worse as he's got more settled with us. I now won't walk him because the disapproving looks from other dog owners are so embarassing, and I'm worried about the consequences if I couldn't control him. He barks loudly and lunges constantly (with the tail wagging furiously all the time!).

We've been for sessions with the behaviourist from the rescue centre, with no avail (they recommended distraction techniques first, which were hopeless, then totally ignoring him and rewarding when he calms down - hard when owners get their dogs away from you asap!) We are now seeing a trainer they have recommended. We went for an assessment yesterday with a stooge German Shepherd. Oliver was wearing a compressed air collar, which he was startled by before the other dog was introduced, but then had no affect in the middle of a full blown fight.  He was a different dog - so aggressive. Despite being smaller and lighter than the GS, he paid no attention and kept trying to grab the back of his neck, saliva flying everywhere. When the trainer separated them, he just looked like he'd been having a great game.

I'm reaching my wits end - I can't see how we'll ever train him, particularly as other relatives have dogs which he will encounter from time to time (Xmas was a horrible game of shuffling dogs between rooms). We are considering returning him to the rescue centre. My husband is distraught, because they are so close.

Any advice at all would be appreciated?!

What a terrible situation for you, I can't offer you advice personally but know of a really good, friendly website that be able to , www.sheyagreyhoundrescue.com. They have a great forum and I'm sure they would help you. Good luck.

The normal way to use a stooge dog(I had a GSD who acted as stooge dog for a lot of dogs with dog to dog aggression as he was such a super dog)is to have the agressive dog wearing a muzzle on the first meaning & to have the dog on a lead. I certainly would not let them met without some restrait on the aggressive dog.  My dog never reacted to any dog attacking him whether it was whilst he was being a stooge dog or for real(happened a few times in RL)

Most dogs have dogs have a comfort zone & I would go down the route of having a stooge dog & to approach it from a distance closely watching your dog & as soon as you see him start to show signs of aggression turn away & distract(this can be done on lead unmuzzled so he can be rewarded). just letting him loose with astooge dog will IMHO gain nothing

He has possibly been subjected to aggression & possible injury from another dog(s)before you got him & this is why it is so had to correct. He needs to learn that there is no threat to him from other dogs.We have a fair few such dogs come to our club(especially one that have been turned away from other clubs)& with a lot of imput from the owners & the trainers the behaviour can be modified. It might be worth you goind to a local club without him to discuss your problems & you might even find someone who has gone through the very problem you have now.

It is difficult of course difficult to give correct advice at a distance & without sight of the dog & his reaction, you may want to consider using a muzzle for walks just for your own piece of mind, not something I would normally advise as a stock answer as it does not cure the problem but prevents the dog harming others & might just might reduce the problem whilst he is wearing it

I really feel for you, having an aggressive dog is no easy task, i know this first hand.
I do feel a little concerned about the meeting with the stooge dog though. I think its very unfair of the behaviourist to put the GSD in that situation, where a fight ensues. Knowing how many dogs can become aggressive through being attacked like this is seems a strange thing to do.
Have you tried asking a vet to refer you to another behaviourist?
I know its not a solution, but i also found a book called "click to calm" (i think its by emma parsons) very helpful, its all about changing the dogs perception of another dogs presense from negative to positive. Its obviously not a replacement for a qualified behaviourist, but it may help.