Dogs dont like him!!!

[Giselle]

...and with only one good arm I was really unable to correct him or control him, I was dragged everywhere by a barking jumping crying dog trying to get to the other dogs and to pee on everything.

Uh oh, it sounds like he's become reactive.

I think this problem is deeper than it seems. From what you post, it sounds like Karu is:
- an overly exuberant adolescent with poor dog-dog communication skills
- high-energy by nature
- confident
- strong
- generally dog friendly
- becoming reactive on leash

And, to me, it sounds like your general plan of action is to tire him out as much as possible and correct him when he displays "bad" behavior.

However, these "bad" behaviors are a deeper part of who Karu is. If you really want to hit the core of these issues, you'll have to start training specifically for calming behaviors, proper greeting behaviors, coping mechanisms, and a strong focus on the handler. If this is your first time with these types of things, I strongly suggest contacting a behaviorist. Reactivity, especially with naturally high energy/confident dogs, generally doesn't get better on its own...

[tulip1]

I am so glad I found this forum. I am having the exact same problem with my dog. He approaches other dogs in a very direct and alert manner. He almost always gets rebuffed with a lunge and a snap from the other dogs. it is so discouraging. I hate that I am correcting him each and every time he sees another dog. Do they grow out of this behavior. My pup is 16 months old.

[Zoeythelsot]

I think him regressing on his leash/heel/not pulling training is really my fault. Since my arm has been broke, his fault, I haven't been walking or running with him much, afraid to hurt my arm even more while its trying to heal. Though he has improved greatly on his stay and come and "go get your ball" during this time. =)
I went to my first obedience class last night without the dog, told the lady I want to work on him greeting other dogs, I didnt tell her the real problem is his posture meeting other dogs though. She has alot of experience training dogs, I took her class 15 yrs ago!!! So she should have some good advice. I think my game plan right now is to get him to sit while greeting other dogs, I'm not sure how possible this will be though. Its gonna take a lot of work.....and two working arms.
As far as other dogs attacking him at the dog park I'm not sure what I can do. Hopefully if I can get him to meet other dogs calmly it will help. Unfortunately, he really doesn't have any doggy friends outside the dog park to practice on. This is actually my main reason for the obedience class so he can have exposure to other dogs in a more controlled environment. I'm crossing my fingers it will work.
I had someone mention that it may be his physical appearance in itself. His tail is docked and that may make it harder for dogs to read his body language. Also something about his ears but I didn't really understand that one, his ears look like normal pit bull ears undocked. I still think maybe he just smells bad

[Giselle]

Yeesh. The docked tail debate is REALLY moot.

Dogs don't speak with their tails and ears. They speak with their eyes, their jaw muscles (and I'm not talking about biting), their weight shifts, their tenseness, the *base* of their tails (not the tips), their fur, etc. If one claims that docked tails contribute to miscommunication, then one essentially implies that virtually all dogs are inherently unable to communicate because no one dog really looks exactly like a wolf (except, maybe a Husky/Wolf hybrid ).

The actual problem lies in the dog's exuberance, lack of self-control, and lack of communication skills. It's just something you have to teach and manage. This type of overaroused, overexuberant behavior is most common in adolescent dogs from 1-4 years (so tulip1, your dog likely falls under this case, too) and is most prevalent in higher energy breeds, such as Working, Sporting, and Herding breeds.

I wish you luck in curbing your pup's enthusiasm

[tulip1]

I spoke with my breeder this week about my pup and she feels that I am expecting too much. She said once he matures things will be better. One thing that was interesting is that she suggested that I NOT neuter him yet. And she was very adamant about it. She said that he will mature better "mentally" if he is left intact longer. Thoughts?

It seems like as soon as someone says a dog is aggressive(not that I am saying he is aggressive he is just rude) they say to neuter.

I will be starting a leash aggression class with him next week. I actually think it is more for me than for him. After so many bad experiences I know I am tense now around other dogs and I am probably part of the issue now.