hey, sardy! :--)

i just saw the post, and i am sorry for Ur trouble - i think a local person to see the dog is a definite need,
the body-language and precursors to any event like lunge-barking are so important!

was the trainer the one who decided *no classes till the aggro is eliminated*?
or is that an assumption (no one would let him in class acting like THIS...) or a decision that U made?
i would encourage U to ask a local pos-R trainer about a group-class -
so long as he can have enuf social-distance to be under-threshold, or work in an area without no line-of-sight
(like an ex-pen with a sheet tossed over it, to block the view of the other dogs), he can probably be accommodated --
and the sooner he begins classes IMO, the better.

if there is no local pos-R trainer or behaviorist available, do not despair!
the book Click to Calm is a terrific DIY resource, several local dog-owners have done it on their own,
working with dogs who were ADULTS and a lot more practiced + fluent in aggro than this teenager!
there are very specific Step-By-Step protocols for B-Mod in the back of the book.


hey, sketch! :--)
Yup! 18-MO to 24-MO is the transition into social adulthood, and a lot of Bolshy behaviors and testing
are popping up like popcorn on the stove, LOL - its a stage, hang on!

certain breeds are highly predisposed to dog-aggro, and that can be modified but not eliminated.
i can commiserate with all the hormones in the air, LOL, it is an awkward and uncomfortable time.

if Bob is UNDER 6-MO, this level of aggro is more worry than if hes over 12-MO - just like humans, ages are stages;
very-young kids who begin acting-out aggressively have a poorer prognosis, and need more help.

also, Rescue-Remedy or DAP pump-spray can be life-savers -
5 to 6 DROPs of liquid Rescue-Remedy, AM + PM, on an empty stomach, is a good foundation to begin.
U can drip it directly into his flews (the fold of lip at the SIDE of his mouth) or drip it directly onto a single treat,
for immediate consumption. an ADDED dose 15 to 20-mins before an expected stressor - like a walk - is a good idea, too.
there is no risk of overdose, no drug interactions -- a very, very safe homeopathic calmative.

DAP pump-spray goes on THINGS - not the dog, LOL.
it is a synthetic mimic of a nursing-bitch pheromone, with a calming effect - drops BP, pulse-rate, cortisol, etc.
U can spritz his collar (off the dog, spritz, turn 180, spritz; put back on the dog); his bed, mat, favorite sofa-spot,
the back-seat of the car, Ur pantslegs at Outside Seams knee-high, Ur jacket or sleeve cuffs, the LEASH
(a hands-length from the clip, to wave under his nose as it passes), and so on.
anything washable is safe to spray - not suede, not dry-cleanables; synthetic carpet is fine,
most FURNITURE leather is fine but not garment leather, car-upholstery is fine.
i spray my boots, pants cuffs, jacket or shirt cuffs, leather collars, fabric collars, etc.
one spritz is a dose, it lasts approx 90-mins and can be refreshed - no overdose, no interactions.
the spray is 99.99% ALCOHOL - so do not spray around flames or heat-sources, and avoid plastics - some react.

i would use BOTH, myself - getting him un-wound is step One, he cannot learn a thing while he is all stressed-out,
with adrenaline is pouring into his bloodstream.

for the moment, i would do an emergency-U-turn any time that U encounter another dog, and learn how to keep him
Under Threshold - meaning enuf-distance to not be reacting with anything but mild attention.
U will need to learn to read Ur dog for early-warnings: tail rising, mouth closing, etc.

if U cannot find a local pos-R trainer, and need help with Click To Calm protocols, feel free to PM me ---
this is definitely an addressable and repairable problem.

i know that it is also very, very distressing - hang on, it will get better!
best regards,
--- terry

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007