Just had another really stressful walk!! :(

I've just come home in tears, with my OH and Storm. We walked together today and he went mental at four different dogs!!

The first time we walked past a Staffy and he went mental, the second time there was a man walking two dogs (one medium sized and one small) over the side of the road and neither of these dogs were taking any notice of Storm. But he started pulling towards the road (towards the dogs over the other side) and then starting his barking and growling really crazily like he does and we had real problems getting him back under control, he was like a thing possessed! The man and the two dogs just walked on calmly, so they were no threat whatsoever to Storm.

Then right outside our block of flats, there was a young man coming towards us with what looked like a White GSD and it was a male and straight away Storm was on the alert. The dog seemed really friendly, so we just let them sniff noses and then Storm went mental again!

I just don't know what to do anymore, walking him has become something I dread, whenever other dogs are around and he is on the lead. He looks and sounds so aggressive and I think that people around here with dogs are already starting to think that we own an aggressive and dangerous dog, though no dog has ever actually been injured by him. I know that if I saw a dog acting and sounding like Storm does, when on lead, I would think 'Oh my god!!" and if I had a dog I would avoid him like the plague.

I know that I need professional help, but I really, really cannot afford it!

It must be so stressful. Have you tried training him with the watch me you can start this indoors.

Find the tastiest treats he likes and see how it goes it will not happen overnight and you may not see a difference for a while and sometimes you will go forward and other days back, but it is about all I htink of for now.

Others will be along I am sure to give you some suggestions.

Do you go to training classes with Storm?

Did you get the Dog Aggression Workbook? If you pm me an address I`ll lend you my copy. It will help, I promise you.

Things can get better. I know where you're at as I remember it well on similar occasions with Cherry!

I never thought she would change but she did and became a fantastic dog and so well-behaved although she could have her naughty moments still 1% of the time!

Getting the right help/books to read will be a benefit to you.

Sounds just like my Lab

What is he like off lead with other dogs? If he's fine, then it may well be what I have with Dexter - intense frustration because he can't go racing over to play with the dog he sees while on lead.

What you're describing could literally refer to Dexter. Yet off lead, he's the softest, friendliest dog you could imagine.

Does your fellow get to play with other dogs off leash?

Once I let Dex have proper 'play dates' with other dogs, off leash, it really helped to reduce his frustration when he met other dogs while leashed.

It's quite common in dogs and is called 'barrier frustration'.

If you saw Dexter kicking off when on lead, you would really think he was an aggressive dog!

What I find works is to turn and stand in front of him - blocking his view of the other dog. I then keep my voice as calm as I can - not always possible but I try....

We have days like this with Rupert. Usually following days where he's completely ignored other dogs. Then he'll ignore them again for a day or two then react horribly again. It feels like 1 step forward, 2 steps back. 7 years on we seem to be making progress but very slowly.

((((hugs)))) we all have days like that,I've just had a whole weekend

I agree with C&D, take her up on her offer and read the Dog Aggression Workbook, an excellent book. Of course it's not a substitute for professional help but it might help you while you save up.

See if you can teach a "Watch me" command or try and play the "Look at that" game, I found it helped me loads with Cain.

Good luck

Thank you everyone!

ClaireandDaisy is kindly going to lend me her copy of the Dog Aggression Workbook.

Yes, I need to teach the 'Watch Me' command, I did teach it to Storm a while back, but I wasn't consistent enough and didn't stick to it!

TabithaJ,

Storm is usually fine with dogs when he's off lead, but doesn't get the chance to play that often with other dogs. I really don't think that it is just on lead frustration, as he is so over the top with his reaction and it seems more like aggression. But I can't really be sure!

Tomorrow we are meeting up with MerlinsMum and Merlin for a walk and Merlin and Storm have become become quite good friends lately, despite a bit of a rocky start! Also, her fiesty girlie Rue will be coming along too. So Storm is starting to get a bit more socialisation, which will hopefully help a bit!

Awww, I'm sure you'll enjoy walk tomorrow

Give the Watch Me a go, but if you find it isn't work, do try "Look at That". Cain can't do Watch Me, he is too worried to look away from what is freaking hime out. So (starting far enough away that he can concentrate), I wait until he looks at the dog/stranger, click and reward. He will turn back for the food. That means "ok, look at the scary thing but then look back to me for the treat", rewards calm behaviour and stops him staring. If the dog isn't looking back to you for the treat, you are too close and need to increase the distance.

So by all means, try Watch Me, but if it's not working for you, give this a go as it's working for us.

Have fun with Merlin. I'm sure a nice walk will restore your confidence.