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I have a 2 1/2 yr old German Shepherd who has had no training prior to my acquiring her a week ago. When I walk her she constantly strains at the leash. I have tried a choke collar but that makes no difference. Also I live at the end of a dead-end road and so to take her for walks I have to walk her past the neighbors houses, she goes wild when she sees their dogs behind their gates and barks and tries to get to them. She is difficult to control because she is strong. I really want her to continue to be a protective guard dog but be disciplined when on a leash with me. Can anyone give any practical advice how I can train her?

To get her to willingly not pull at the leash will take some time with a trainer that knows how to teach you to develop the right relationship with your dog and how to properly motivate her to want to do the right thing. My GSD is also completely immune to the effects of choke and prong collars. You might try a gentle leader -- some dogs will learn to accept this -- it does not train your dog, but it might provide some type of control while you are working with a trainer. The GL actually made my dog worse, but most dog handlers I've talked with report the opposite.

>>I have a 2 1/2 yr old German Shepherd who has had no training prior to my acquiring her a week ago. When I walk her she constantly strains at the leash. I have tried a choke collar but that makes no difference. Also I live at the end of a dead-end road and so to take her for walks I have to walk her past the neighbors houses, she goes wild when she sees their dogs behind their gates and barks and tries to get to them. She is difficult to control because she is strong. I really want her to continue to be a protective guard dog but be disciplined when on a leash with me. Can anyone give any practical advice how I can train her?

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If you want a protective guard dog that you can take out and about around the neighbors and their little kids, you're definitely going to need to get into formal training with the dog. Since she's going wild, start with at least one private lesson. When you and she are ready, get into a class so you can work her around other dogs with all the dogs (including her) under control.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Hey

I agree with both Lisa and Kathy - get some private lessons and get your dog on a Gentle leader

Dont worry so much that you wont have control if the GL comes off - for now it's doing for you what the pinch collar, choke chain, etc could not - giving you a window of opportunity to train in!

make sure your trainer understands where you dog has come from and has some knowledge of the problems dogs like that can have - and good luck!

Thanks for the advice. The problem is we are currently living in Honduras and dog training classes are not readily available here. I already have a good relationship with the dog as I have known her since a puppy and she is basically very responsive to me; but I need some advice on what specifically to do to train her about the leash and the barking. She is good with all kids, the only problem is other dogs.

>>Thanks for the advice. The problem is we are currently living in Honduras and dog training classes are not readily available here. I already have a good relationship with the dog as I have known her since a puppy and she is basically very responsive to me; but I need some advice on what specifically to do to train her about the leash and the barking. She is good with all kids, the only problem is other dogs.

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Here is a link that has articles on Loose-leash training, attention, handling a dog around other dogs, and more. Free, of course:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com