@ladybugzy said in Behavioral or Underlying Agressive Issue?:
However, I gathered that he must have been through abuse/abandonment in his young 1 1/2 years here on this earth. ....But, to step outside he becomes a completely different dog. He will growl/howl, bark, lunge at people bicycles, other dogs, kids... he goes into his own other world and I have not found a way to break through to him to stop this reaction. He came too close to biting a girl on the beach this past weekend, even though he was on a leash and I thought I had him controlled. I would like any advice on what i can do to help stop this from happening because i can't imagine life without him, but i also don't want to feel like we are trapped inside forever either. I want him and me to have the life together that we should have.<<
Most bad behaviors don't come from abuse/abandonment. Not socializing, unstable temperaments, high prey drive kicking in for moving objects... In other words, a lot of things.
First, either keep him home, or take him out ONLY with a muzzle. No matter your intent, if he bites someone, you risk him being put down or deemed a dangerous dog and you sued.
You can try some things on your own... such as getting a friend to go to a park with you. Have your wingman keep all people and animals away from him. While seated with him beside you, get your friend to give small good treats to random people pass about 10 feet out and have them TOSS the treat to him. No interaction at ALL, just toss the treat. You may need to do this 3 or 4 days, or a dozen days (keep time down to about 30 to 40 mins each outing) until he consistently reacts to approaching people with happy expectation.
Next phase, have the person stop, a bit closer but no more than 8 feet, and say "hi puppy's name"... then toss treat. Walk on.
One he is comfortable with that, enlist bike riders to do the same thing. People with pets are next.
Here is the thing, though... you cannot risk him biting. Your goal is to dial back his reaction. It is not likely you are going to have him safe enough to risk him flipping out.
Sooo, you work on him getting used to a muzzle. And when you are out, you use it. When I was in Europe, tons of people had their dogs out with muzzles. You still have your buddy, while keeping others safe.
And, you work on leave it/look at me commands.
Muzzles—Not Just for Aggression Anymore!
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/3948
http://bestfriends.org/resources/muzzles-tool-keep-everyone-safe
Of course, nothing beats meeting with a veterinary behaviorist to evaluate your dog's behavior. Is it fear? Is it aggression? Is he guarding YOU from other threats? Knowing why can help with controlling behaviors. But a dog who will try to go after children is one I would keep muzzled in company, regardless of the underlying cause.