my dog bane  

It's probably your dog training skills. you should read cesar's way by cesar milano. He should set you straight. There is also the dog whisperer. One of them is based on dominance and the other one is more of a reward strategy. I think you should go with whatever you think would work the best for you and your bowwow.

One year old dogs, like children, try to get away with as much as they can.

Your not the boss of me, they think.

When they get excited or focused on something, they sometimes don't hear.

Use a light touch, with a hand or finger or even the tip of your foot, something to break
their concentration.

Then remind him who is walking who.

Don't let your dog out at the full length of the leash.

Make him walk next to you with his shoulders at your knee.

When he wants to pull forward, a slight tug or correction on the leash to remind not to pull or lead and bring him back to the position, you, want him.

I prefer the choke chain collars for walks. When used and fitted properly they help to remind the dog that I am in charge.

A typical cloth collar rides up on the shoulders and dogs shoulders were and are still used for pulling, so they tug on the collar.

Watch a dog show, as to how the nylon collers are placed, right up behind the ears. There are nerve bundles there and a very slight tug on the leash breaks their concentration and returns them to paying attention.

Perhaps you should sign up for an obedience class?

We rescued our lab Pearl, and she has come a long way, but I still can not teach her not to tug on the leash, to the point where she is walking me. I can not let my children walk her because she will pull them off down the street. We purchased something called a 'gentle leader' from PetSmart, and it DOES work wonders!! Basically, it's a collar that goes around their neck, right behind their ears, and then it has another loop that goes up over their muzzle. You attach the leash to that loop. When the dog pulls, it creates pressure on their head, behind their ears, and they stop. I don't walk her without it now.

I would agree that you need to attend some doggie school with him. They will teach both of you how to walk on a leash and other things that it is necessary for a doggie to learn to be healthier and happier.

Dogs are much like children in that you have to be very consistant. you can not correct them one time and let it go by the next. One way to get their attention is to use a spray bottle with clear water. When ever you say No the first time ans it does not get their attention "SQUIRT" and say "NO" again. For some reason dogs hate hate hate to be squirted with water. Especially in their face. I only takes a quick squirt to get their attention usually. It is alot better than trying to man handle a large dog. It is great to get them to stop barking too.

It is certainly your dog training skills. My dog weights 62 lbs more than I do, and I am 'Alpha'. I walk him, he has NEVER walked me! If you allowed someone that is Alpha to walk your dog, you will find that the dog is not the problem here.