Adult Dog Socialization with other dogs
I have a 2 1/2 year old Yellow Lab Mix Male Dog (we think he is mixed with a Great Dane, but we are not sure). We got him from a shelter and we know that he has been around other dogs both at the shelter and with a previous owner. He has been neutered. He loves to go for walks on a leash, but his problem is that when he sees other dogs while we are out walking him, he goes crazy. He whines, howls, makes god awful noises directed at the other dog and tries to aggressivley get at them. He will also do this when we take him for car rides and he see other dogs in other cars. His behavior when meeting or being introduced to another dog is driving us crazy. He is great with people and once he gets to know another dog, then he is fine. It is just that first meeting with another dog and he goes nuts!! Also when he is on a leash and another dog approaches him in a friendly manner, he becomes defensive and aggressive towards the other dog. It makes us nervous to take him out for walks in fear that he will run across another dog. I have read a lot about socializing puppies with other dogs, but I can't find much about socializing an adult dog with other dogs. Do you have any advice? We have tried spraying him with a water bottle, but this does no good. It is almost like he is in a trance when he sees a new dog.