I have the same problem with my newly adopted lab/rhodesian. She had never had any leash training, so we begin classes in January with a wonderful trainer. In the meanwhile, she has suggested using the halti instead of a choke chain, and it's helped enormously. She still goes insane when she sees another dog, wanting to play, but she's much more attentive to me and quieter with the halti. The main reason for the classes is for her to be in an area with other dogs and ignore them while she's on a leash. She pretty much ignores dogs at the dog park when she's off the leash!