RAMBLE -

You're spot on again, we don't think he's ever been socialised at all. The Rescue had NO info on him - he'd literally just been dumped in the pound without even a collar.

I don't think he'd ever been walked on a collar and lead prior to coming to us - the first few months walking him were hellish as he didn't even stop to relieve himself, he just used to flat out SPRINT

Re double ended lead - it's a great idea and I did in fact have the Halti one from Company Of Animals - it snapped when we used it once in the park and Dexter lunged after a bird... he's very strong bless him...

Thanks DOBERMANN and MERLIN'S MUM, I've heard of the Mekuti, I will look at their site properly now

Thanks SOOO much for your encouragement guys, much appreciated, it does really feel like an uphill battle. And yep - I now have one arm longer than the other....

don't worry he's a young dog, you stick in there and it gets easier (honest) The lead may have been a faulty one? I think there are plenty brands though, have a good look around....

Good luck and feel free to post his up's and down's - no doubt theres a lot of us been there so we know how it is...

Oh and if thats him in the Avatar, tell him he's a handsome chap!

Sounds to me like you shouldn't underestimate how far you have come. Give yourself a pat on the back, give him a tickle and start tomorrow armed with fresh ideas. We all need that when we are in the middle of sorting tricky behaviours
I got my double ended lead from our local dogs trust it's lovely and long (6 foot) and strong. It's made by the same people who make the soft dog harnesses...
think it's this one
http://dog-games-shop.co.uk/dog-lead...ble-ended.html

but mine has a few rings on it so you can adjust the length...

Keep going, sounds to me like you are doing really really well.

Thanks so much RAMBLE & DOBERMANN, you are very kind

Let us know how you get on He sounds lovely and I am sure you will sort this out.
He's a lucky boy to have you.

bloody goodadvice that!

Not much for me to add really, the others have said good ideas for you to try!

So just a few key points,

Id be doing ALOT of name response & getting that really really really strong. Youd need to practise /teach this without distractions (ie in house/garden) & slowley build up outside, first with no distractions then far in the distance distractions.& make sure when u feed for this the food is on the floor. If you drive to youir walks do this as soon as you get out of the car!(as well as on the walk)

Teach " leave it " & "watch me" too good behaviours to have up your sleeve Teach "leave it" on food , walking past placed food in your house, say leave it before he passes, praise him as he leaves it looks at you., reward comes from you. Then set up "leave it" circuit in the garden, mainley with food & other fave things, ALL reward MUST come from you, never let him have he leave its!!!!(obvisley you can recylce them!) once this is taught then use it on EVERYTHING, any dog poo or bin bags he sniffs, Leave it & reward. Im not saying it will work when hes on one , but if you teach it well enough it might!!!!!
Watch me is a good one to teach, especially at distance work, but you wouldnt want to be saying "watch me" oncehe has lunged.

When he lunges, id just shut up & stand still , & if saftey allows, try to keep the lead as loose as you can,. He gets no back up from you, no reacion, you arent playing his game, if the lead goes tight again take a step back (away from what hes lunging at ) & loosen the lead again, if you continue thishe WILL eventually stop lunging,you want him standing with a loose lead, looking at object ok, then when he relaxs(look for a ear twitch normally) Then say his name response etc & go mad with the praise food.
You will need a longish lead for this, Its really hard to describe the technique with the lead, but i sort of "throw" the tension of the lead away, sort of by pushing my arm towards the dog.

MISHFLYNN - wow, that's really interesting what you suggest for when he lunges. I have never tried that. I will try it this week!!! Thanks so much


RAMBLE - thank you I feel very very lucky to have Dexter but yes, I hope he's gradually becoming happier and relaxed living with us. I guess we spoil him rotten which probably does not help with the obedience issues, though....

I would also teach the watch-first at home away from distractions. Holding a treat in each hand upto your nose with him sat in front of you(you can do this sitting down ), say the words "Watch me"& move one hand sideaways from your nose, as soon as he looks back to you from the moving treat reward with the treat from the non moving hand & also praise. Some dogs pick this up very quickly & others take a while.

When you have his full attention moving just one hand move both hands & as soon as he looks back to you reward with the treat from the hand he did not follow.

Eventually you will have his full attention & he will keep looking at you & not look at either moving hand. You then have the basis of a good watch & attention from him on command.

You can then move outdoors & repeat telling him to watch me when he starts to get distracted & the attention will grow & help to calm him on the approach of other dogs. I would do this at first within his"comfort"zone to positively reinforce the behaviour.

It was and I am really grateful for it...I think of you each time we do it!