Rude dog/dog behavior

[Giselle]

Ah, Chloe sounds exactly like an Ivy.

Don't worry. Reactivity is actually very common, especially in high energy breeds. It's sort of "the dog who wanted to love too much".

You can join obedience classes, but I guarantee you they won't help as much than if you went directly to a behaviorist who is VERY experienced in leash reactivity (and preferably has dealt with these problems in his/her own dogs).

I highly recommend Leslie McDevitt's book Control Unleashed. You may want to read this before you set out on a search for a behaviorist. Many trainers/behaviorist like to command for 100% focus in the presence of other dogs, but, if you read CU, you will realize that that can even exacerbate the frustration and reactivity. She suggests using the game Look at That! which is explained in the book. I've experienced the vast difference between the two methods of dealing with reactivity, and I have to pledge my allegiance to CU. I actually have a couple videos of various dogs demonstrating LAT. If interested, just PM me! Leslie also addresses dogs who go bonkers with frustration even in crates and kennels and how to rehab that.

ETA: Re: bombproof dogs. Do you know anybody who has a greyhound? Greys are notorious for their gentle disposition. Most greys are 'bombproof' in the sense that they usually are not reactive. Or do you know anybody who has a very submissive/completely non-aggressive dog? Basically, any non-reactive, not-too-hyper dog would do. You just need them as a trigger.

[shepgirl]

The mounting is definitely a dominance thing with Chloe. But I sense she is also feeling safe by being on leash with you around for protection...sounds like a bravado thing to me. If she's off leash when you meet another dog, watch till you see her tryng to mount and turn in the opposite direction and walk away, she'll forget the mounting and come running...but don't turn around to peek, walk away fast. At home I would leave the room when she starts this and let the other dogs show her some manners. I think the fact that you always intervene makes her feel safe so leave the room and go into another room and shut the door...she'll soon be looking for you. We see dogs like that at training classes all the time, so brave when the owner is on the other end of the leash but running away if off leash and owner walking away.