My rescue GSD has had problems, especially while on the lead with other dogs. I have been training for 4 yrs. He is fantastic at training & at agility shows, however at home, on his territory he isn't as well behaved. I manage him though by using a gencon headcollar. I do not avoid dogs, but do avoid walking him where he is in a 'head to head' situation with a dog coming towards him. I just walk in an ark around dogs which are coming towards me. As long at Zak has sufficient room between him & any other oncoming dogs, he is fine. I also stop & ask him to sit once I have gone past the dogs & chat to the owners. It's all bluff with some of them, they go ballistic, the other dog disappears & they have got what they want. It has taken a lot of patience & understanding to get to this point, but I am in charge & I make the descisions, not him. Many owners avoid other dogs because their dogs kick off, in my opinion that does no good at all. Hopefully in time your dog will settle down, good on you for taking him on. All my dogs have been rescues, unfortunately they sometimes come with a lot of baggage.