Thanks, Eleanor.

I agree, obedience and manners come first.  I'd be more than happy just to teach her to ignore.  From what I've seen with her so far, I don't think any previous owners dealt with her behavior, and just let her do whatever she wanted.

She's slowly coming around to the idea that she isn't the boss, this time.  Getting her out of that Alpha dog position is going to take some time and perserverance.

I agree with Beverly you can get a reliable recall with the help of an ecollar, but don't start with the recall training that way.  Obedience training will certainly give you that foundation of how to train the come way before you should ever use an ecollar, because pixie bee is right you don't want to start out using it to stop the agression.  The dog would be definitely confused on where the stimulation from the ecollar is coming from.

I guess I wasn't clear on my post. I did not mean that you should use the ecollar to stop the agression, but instead to enforce your recall when you get to the part of the training where it is time to take your dog off leash. Prior to that point though, you need to do allot of recall work and your dog needs to be 100% on leash in various areas with lots of distractions and 100% when in controlled off leash setting with lots of distractions. You will also need to condition your dog to the ecollar so that your dog does not become collar wise. You will have also worked to find the appropriate level of stimulation prior to using the ecollar to enforce the recall. Then and only then should you use the ecollar to enforce the recall off leash and in an uncontrolled area. There are lot's of good books and videos out for using the ecollar for recalls. Essentially, you let your dog off leash and let him get busy and focused on something else. You then give your recall command and if the dog does not respond, then you press and hold the button on the transmitter and give the dog a continuous stimulation until the dog turns toward you. You then release and praise. It usually only takes one or two times and the dog is golden.  In this scenario you are only training the recall. No other animals should be around when you are training at this point.  

I have also used the ecollar to break my dogs of chasing small game using the same principle. In theory you could use the ecollar to break your dog of chasing after a small dog, but as others have pointed out if you are not careful and good with your timing you could end up with a worse situation than you have today.

Sax,

Your not alone in being turned down by a rescue because your not at home all day.  All I did was mention I may not beable to take the dog with me to work "everyday " like I did with my last GSP ,  They said they the dog was better off with a stay at home mother with three children.   Ended up I do take Hanna to work with me every day . We are together 24 /7.  Shame on them for lack of gratitude for your efforts.   In hindsight restraint  in telling "all"  Is okay with me.  

I went with a breeder and could not be happier.   Hanna has been socilized since she was 9 weeks old . She is very good with the tinniest of dogs . My last GSP had  a problem with small dogs that would bug her . She nipped/ bit at a boston terrier and a jack russel. After that we stopped going to dog parks . She was more intrested in hunting than playing anyway. . Hanna loves both.   

Great advice about turning/ stepping  into the dog to change directions .

Megan

  your not at home?