I don't know how to approach this...

 On leash introductions, with dogs nose to nose, are never a good idea in my opinion, even with dogs that don't seem to have issues.  But, with a leash reactive dog, it's a setback, as you have realized already.  If you don't have voice control over her, time to retrain and get better at that!  Attention training is very valuable, and pretty easy to do using clicker training, or marker training.  The first object would be to have your dog turn her head to look at you any time you say her name.  (Free lesson on this at www.clickerlessons.com)  That has the added benefit of breaking eye contact with the other dog (the "look away" says "I'm not a threat" or "I don't wish to interact right now";).  Once that's happening in all locations and circumstances, work on a good recall and "leave it".  Those two commands combined can get your dog away from something and back at your feet making eye contact with you in a hurry.  With regard to other techniques for leash reactive dogs, "Click to Calm", "Scaredy Dog", and "Feisty Fido" are the three popular books that people generally refer to.  People have had good luck applying the principles in "Control Unleashed" as well. 

 I agree with spirit and think that focusing on getting her to pay attention to you, whether it is with a watch me command or something else is very very useful.

 My Hektor is a hard charging dog who is ready willing and able to throw down with any dog that gives the least sign of possibly wanting to throw down. He has been like this from the beginning.

 We weathered a incident in the pet store where a macho male pitbull slipped completley out of his collar and got in Hektor's space and we survived with no aggression from Hektor at all purely because of the watch me command.

 I stayed very still and told Hektor to watch me and he did until a pet store trainer was able to get control of the loose pitbull. Having them trained to focus their attention on you is huge with reactive dogs.

 I also think Spirit hit it right on by saying that nose to nose interfacing with other dogs is not desirable especially if you are having reactive problems. You are better off having her focus on you whenever there are other dogs present. Hektor and I can walk around the petstore now and he pays no attention at all to the other dogs because he knows that watching me will get him treats.

 It is also amazing how the slightest bit of tension or anxiety on your part, not to mention any tightening of the leash can set off your reactive dog. When walking outside I have always had Hektor sit whenever I see another dog out walking, and I step out in front of him and either greet the person (if the dog is leashed) or chase it off if it is not leashed and I have done this to prevent him from thinking there is ever any reason for him to have to defend against incoming dogs. It has worked very well.

 last but not least there is another post going on right now about surly clicker users that has a great post (from Kim) about getting the dog to focus their attention on you. I have not tried it yet but I intend to.

I never ever let my dogs "meet" other dogs while on leash. Bad idea all around. You want your dog to learn to IGNORE other dogs while she is on leash. If she's under-socialized, finding someone with a skilled, calm, compatible dog and arranging play-dates might be one way to go.

Mudpuppy - I agree with this 100%!!!!!  Best advice. 

Sorry for the late response.

Thank you all for your insight and you're so right. Deep down, I think I knew that letting her "meet" other dogs on leash was a bad idea. She's a Mal and I don't have many safe, offleash areas to let her run, let alone meet other dogs so I guess I was desperate. I know mals have a breed tendancy towards dog aggression, she's three now, and I didn't want it to escalate (she's not dog aggressive currently but has started to lean towards it). Turns out I was making things worse.

I have been working with a clicker and voice markers for when I say her name. It was the first thing the trainer taught us in the class I took with her a while ago. I've also been intermingling touch to get her to come back to me. I'm ordering Feisty Fido today.

 She's going to doggy day care this upcoming week. They seperate dogs into appropriate groups and I let them know about her recent episodes on leash. The woman who runs the day care seemed fine with that and willing to see how Maddi does. They also have separate runs, where Maddi will get used to the other dogs' noises and where she can go if there's a problem. She was fine though, when she sniffed the other dogs' through the fence and they were barking at her. So cross your paws that she'll get some doggy friends there (there was even a handsome mal boy!).

 ETA:

My boss's bull mastiff is a great calm dog with (near) perfect doggy manners and Maddi respects him. Maybe that's the way to go also.

 I agree with not allowing her to meet on lead with strange dogs. I have to ask why you feel it is important that she be "socialized" in that she can play with strange dogs?

  After having worked at a doggy daycare for years I would encourage you to rethink this as a solution for her on leash issues. Many of the daycare dogs I watched over were good at socializing in dayacre but it seemed to increase (or in some cases cause) leash aggression. IMO this is because being a free play sitution can be overstimulating and cause an increase of leash frustration with dogs that they can see but can't get to. Also it doesn't tend to help with training issues, as the dogs tend to become more "dog oriented" than they normally would be and it can cause them to be more focused on other dogs than on their owner.

 Dogs do not need "dog friends" and it is not really normal for most mature dogs to want to be playful with strange dogs. Even less so for certain breeds - I believe Malamutes are prone to having some degree of dog aggression.

   I would suggest before considering daycare that you attend training classes with her. Daycare is not going to fix the leash aggression problem but training can. Teach her to focus on you and not worry about other dogs. Once she doesn't seem to have the leash aggression issues, maybe give daycare a try but with "rules". Don't allow her to drag you into the building, have her sit at the doors and when being taken into daycare. And of course, if you notice an increase in leash issues after taking her - stop :)

mudpuppy

I never ever let my dogs "meet" other dogs while on leash. Bad idea all around. You want your dog to learn to IGNORE other dogs while she is on leash. If she's under-socialized, finding someone with a skilled, calm, compatible dog and arranging play-dates might be one way to go.

Well, if those in rescue followed that advise then there would never be foster dog showing at Petsmart and that would be a major blow in getting the dog in front of potential adopters.  At our showings, all the dogs are leashed and closely confined.  There are always issues with a couple at the beginning but as time passes they all get use to it, are calm and enjoy playing with each.....while still leashed. A dog that trained to ignore other dogs would be consider anti-social at the showings and overlooked.

I think some dogs and owners have a hard time with their dogs meeting other dogs on leash is because it is such a briefing meeting, its sudden and it broken off right away.  Like at the showings, all the dogs are given the time to get properly use to the other dogs on the leash and its a pleasurable time for the dogs and for the humans.

I wanted and I am taking her to day care because she deep down loves other dogs and loves to play with them. She is doing excellent at day care and needs the running time for excercise and stimulation. Both times going, she's gotten a good report from the workers... she spends most of her time playing with another new dog. In addition, I am aware mals are prone to dog aggression, hence why I have always tried to exposure her to other dogs. Everything was going okay until a few bad instences with "off-leash, uncontrolled dog" encounters we had this winter. She was not leash reactive until this winter and I have been considering daycare long before then.

This is not my solution to her leash reactivity.  I have bought two of the books recommended by Anne (Click to Calm and Feisty Fido) and I am working on "watch", u-turns, and emergency sit-stays. Meanwhile, I am reading "Click to Calm" when I can. I am planning on a second class; I am simply waiting for the funds.

DPU

mudpuppy

I never ever let my dogs "meet" other dogs while on leash. Bad idea all around. You want your dog to learn to IGNORE other dogs while she is on leash. If she's under-socialized, finding someone with a skilled, calm, compatible dog and arranging play-dates might be one way to go.

Well, if those in rescue followed that advise then there would never be foster dog showing at Petsmart and that would be a major blow in getting the dog in front of potential adopters.  At our showings, all the dogs are leashed and closely confined.  There are always issues with a couple at the beginning but as time passes they all get use to it, are calm and enjoy playing with each.....while still leashed. A dog that trained to ignore other dogs would be consider anti-social at the showings and overlooked.

I think some dogs and owners have a hard time with their dogs meeting other dogs on leash is because it is such a briefing meeting, its sudden and it broken off right away.  Like at the showings, all the dogs are given the time to get properly use to the other dogs on the leash and its a pleasurable time for the dogs and for the humans.

First of all, any rescue that takes dogs to Petsmart to show them for adoption is irresponsible if they have not already tested the dogs for leash aggression in their foster situations or at the shelters where they may have come from.  You do NOT make guinea pigs out of dogs owned by the public.  Secondly, it is fine for a dog to be a bit nervous and snark a little to maintain his personal space, but if you ever have an incident with a dog that is not reactive, but genuinely aggressive, on leash, you will rethink your policies.   Mudpuppy is quite correct - if you teach your dog to be comfortable around other leashed dogs, and not react, you do not need to worry.  The place to teach nice manners with other dogs is at home, in class, or with a club, not in public using any dog you feel like approaching.  If you approached my dogs on leash and lallowed your dog to come nose to nose with mine, you  would be told, in a nice way, that it isn't good practice and to please back off.  Anyone should be able to walk his/her leashed dog anywhere in public and not be accosted by off leash OR on leash dogs.  JMHO

spiritdogs

First of all, any rescue that takes dogs to Petsmart to show them for adoption is irresponsible if they have not already tested the dogs for leash aggression in their foster situations or at the shelters where they may have come from.  You do NOT make guinea pigs out of dogs owned by the public.  Secondly, it is fine for a dog to be a bit nervous and snark a little to maintain his personal space, but if you ever have an incident with a dog that is not reactive, but genuinely aggressive, on leash, you will rethink your policies.   Mudpuppy is quite correct - if you teach your dog to be comfortable around other leashed dogs, and not react, you do not need to worry.  The place to teach nice manners with other dogs is at home, in class, or with a club, not in public using any dog you feel like approaching.  If you approached my dogs on leash and lallowed your dog to come nose to nose with mine, you  would be told, in a nice way, that it isn't good practice and to please back off.  Anyone should be able to walk his/her leashed dog anywhere in public and not be accosted by off leash OR on leash dogs.  JMHO

First of all Muddpuppy used the word NEVER EVER let dogs meet while on a leash.  Well, that is just not real world and I sighted Petsmart dog showing to show how ridiculous that comment was and harmful in trying to get shelter dogs adopted.  Dog showings are going to take place at Petsmart and dogs are going to be on a leash and they are going to meet on leashes.  I don't see the reason to throw out the word "irresponsible" if real world things happen.  The rescue org I am associated with is responsible and I am sure you know that.   Things like testing the dogs for leash aggression happens in the one month observation period.  Once again, non experience is making judgement calls.  I welcome shelters dogs into my home, I evaluate the dogs over a period of time, I rehab and train, I show the dogs at Petsmart, I place the dog, I have the experience so that when I make judgements, its credible. 

Spiritdogs, you made the statement that you would never allow "these dogs" into your home and that is ok.  I would also guess you would never volunteer to be handler at these dog showings.  Since you don't have the handson experience, I don't see how you can comment or judge these dog showings or their workings. 

mudpuppy

I never ever let my dogs "meet" other dogs while on leash. Bad idea all around. 

I guess it all depends on your expectations of owning and living with a dog. A big part of life with our dog is walking and enjoying the neighborhood (on leash). This includes meeting and greeting many neighbors and their dogs whether it be a quick "hi, how are you" or a 15 minute chat at on the front lawn. I have taken great pains to ensure that my dog can approach and be approached while on leash. I do not allow him to jump or play while on leash but he certainly does greet and interact. Maybe because he has been doing this all his life, even when we encounter a new dog or a puppy that is not as calm or well mannered as Kobi, he does not react negatively. In fairness to Kobi I make those encounters very brief and we continue on. I really could not imagine making Kobi IGNORE every dog we were to meet. That is part of the enjoyment of our walks. But again, we all have different reasons and expectations for owning a dog. With the right techniques, time, patience and dedication I think you can have a dog that is perfectly fine meeting on leash - if that is what you want. Which in my case it is. 

denise m

I guess it all depends on your expectations of owning and living with a dog.

That's it. This is something that can be trained. It may take corrections (which I know the OP said she isn't willing to do) and I think that's why some people just don't do it and avoid the situation. But on-leash meeting and manners is absolutely something that can be expected of a normal dog.

I used to help out with greyhound adoption and take our foster to greyhound parties with hundreds of dogs on-leash. They all met each other just fine and if a dog got a little lippy, the owner let them know that that is not OK. It's a matter of manners. And sometimes manners have to be taught.

p

Spiritdogs, you made the statement that you would never allow "these dogs" into your home and that is ok.  I would also guess you would never volunteer to be handler at these dog showings.  Since you don't have the handson experience, I don't see how you can comment or judge these dog showings or their workings.

I don't know how you can say the things you say without asking me first what my experiences have been.  I evaluate dogs all the time that are being placed for adoption.  Just because I'm not the one sitting at the table at Petsmart doesn't mean that I am not involved in rescue or shelter activities in other ways, nor does it mean that I don't do hundreds of doggy introductions - you may have forgotten, but I operate a training center that holds supervised play groups each week, twice per week.  And, at the previous place I worked, I supervised the play groups for five years.  We introduce dogs all the time, but it is done in a careful way, just not on taut leashes, face to face, which is how this sometimes happens with dogs in public situations when the owners don't know any better.  And, I don't blame mudpuppy for not having her own dogs meet unknown dogs in this way.  I don't have my dogs do it in public either.  At my training center, I have the luxury of being able to question owners at length about their dogs, and form an opinion as to whether the dog might be successful playing with others.  Even our OP's Mal is doing well with other dog OFF leash, as is often the case with leash reactive dogs.  Put the leash back on and that dog could have a spat with its doggy day care best pal.  No, you are correct, I don't volunteer to sit at the tables all day, mainly because my training center is open weekends, or I am doing private consulations.  But, I DO volunteer to do behavior evaluations for shelters and rescues, and I do them professionally for lots of people who have a newly adopted dog and want to get started on the right foot.  Manners do have to be taught, but not at the expense of the public, and you said yourself that your rescue tests the dogs before bringing them to adoption days - which is the responsible thing to do.   

spiritdogs

p

Spiritdogs, you made the statement that you would never allow "these dogs" into your home and that is ok.  I would also guess you would never volunteer to be handler at these dog showings.  Since you don't have the handson experience, I don't see how you can comment or judge these dog showings or their workings.

I don't know how you can say the things you say without asking me first what my experiences have been.  I evaluate dogs all the time that are being placed for adoption.  Just because I'm not the one sitting at the table at Petsmart doesn't mean that I am not involved in rescue or shelter activities in other ways, nor does it mean that I don't do hundreds of doggy introductions - you may have forgotten, but I operate a training center that holds supervised play groups each week, twice per week.  And, at the previous place I worked, I supervised the play groups for five years.  We introduce dogs all the time, but it is done in a careful way, just not on taut leashes, face to face, which is how this sometimes happens with dogs in public situations when the owners don't know any better.  And, I don't blame mudpuppy for not having her own dogs meet unknown dogs in this way.  I don't have my dogs do it in public either.  At my training center, I have the luxury of being able to question owners at length about their dogs, and form an opinion as to whether the dog might be successful playing with others.  Even our OP's Mal is doing well with other dog OFF leash, as is often the case with leash reactive dogs.  Put the leash back on and that dog could have a spat with its doggy day care best pal.  No, you are correct, I don't volunteer to sit at the tables all day, mainly because my training center is open weekends, or I am doing private consulations.  But, I DO volunteer to do behavior evaluations for shelters and rescues, and I do them professionally for lots of people who have a newly adopted dog and want to get started on the right foot.  Manners do have to be taught, but not at the expense of the public, and you said yourself that your rescue tests the dogs before bringing them to adoption days - which is the responsible thing to do.   

Mmmm....So my original statement is true.  By the statement "sitting at the Petsmart table", that seems to diminish that role in rehabbing, placing, and socializing a dog.  For me, I don't just sit at the Petsmart table.  I engage the public and represent the fosters and disclose both the good and the bad.  I even demo training techniques and also get educated how a real dog owner cares for their dog.  Too bad a JQP has to do this and more professional trainers don't.  Look Spiritdogs, I am on the front line of rescue and you have to admit you are on the 2nd or 3rd line.  You deal with the dogs only after I have done my part.  And that is ok, your role is sorely needed because its all helps the dog staying in its forever home.