[kmcd23]

I have two lab mixes, one is almost 10, one is almost 6. They have both been through basic training.

We walk daily - a few trips outside for bathroom breaks, a short afternoon walk, and a long walk in the evening when it cools down.

We've been doing this routing for about 6 months now, after moving to a house with no fence. Before, walks were just for exercise.

As the 6 months have gone on, they've gotten better about pulling. I use Gentle Leaders after an incident where the younger dog pulled me over backwards and dragged me to a beagle. (I wouldn't let go because we were by a busy street).

Generally, our walks are pleasant. But there are certain dogs that make them go berserk, and I can't figure out why, or what to do about it.

Tonight, one pulled his head out of the gentle leader, and took off after his 'arch nemesis', a white german shepherd that ran loose one day and came right up to our patio. They've had an obsession with him ever since.

The other dog didn't pull out of the leader, but managed to pull the leader off the leash.

It was mayhem, and I didn't react well. I didn't stay calm. The shepherd's owner even told me that I scared her more than the dogs did. But this has never happened - both of them getting away from me and going after another dog on leash. That beagle episode was at a park where the beagle was running free. (Not a dog park, mind you. He should have been on leash.) We pass dogs several times during our walks, and with so much walking, that's a lot of dogs! And this has never happened.

They used to be well socialized. We still have playdates with a Weimeraner, but I've stopped the playdates with other dogs, because as the oldest one has developed a thyroid condition, he's gotten snappier, and I don't feel safe. He got into a tussle with a friend's Rottie once on a playdate, and once at the vet's office, so I've been keeping it to just dogs we know ever since.

The younger dog is all bark. He acts really tough, rearing up and barking his head off, when he's on leash and a dog that sparks his interest walks by. But off leash, he's a big wuss. Or when I'm not around. Sometimes I let him bake in the sun with his leash hooked to the front of the house. If anyone or anything walks by, he wimpers to come inside. But if I'm with him, he acts like a monster.

The older dog keeps to himself. He barks but doesn't pull, doesn't attempt to go at the other dog. He only gets snappy if they come at him. Tonight was a first for me, though my husband says he did it to him a few weeks ago too.

So here's my thing. My husband is leaving for deployment soon (military) and I will be the sole walker, every day all day, for six months. And now I'm scared. And I know that's a problem.

Any advice? Or insight into this behavior? If you read all that, I appreciate it!

[MrAndrew]

You need to reinforce that you are the Alpha of the pack. When leashed your dog goes into 'defensive' mode, this is probably because you haven't established yourself as the pack leader and your dog feels the need to 'protect' you, so to speak. Starting today establish your dominance in the form of basic training and reinforcements. Sure, your dog probably knows how to heel, sit and stay, but by redoing these basic commands you'll re-establish yourself as the boss, in the eyes of your dog.

[kmcd23]

Thank you Mr. Andrew! I appreciate the time you took to read and respond!