JMHO - either she needs to follow through with a trainer or find a new owner who can deal with the issues. Aggression isn't impossible to control, but requires major work and vigilance by the owner. Even with a small dog. The behavior will not go away on its own.

This sounds like an accident waiting to happen - either to her, someone else walking the dog who may lose control, her dog, or the other dog.

Sue

Would using a harness instead of a collar help? I had a husky that pulled like crazy (natural instinct) when on the leash. I felt I had more control over him when using a harness instead of attaching the leash to his collar.

Sounds like a hound? A twelve pound dog can easily pull down an elderly person. I don't know where all that power comes from, but dogs have it.

Here's what's going to be an unpopular suggestion, but really the only one I can think that will be her best chance for effective control of the doggy - a choke chain (no longer popularly called that - maybe called a slip collar now). I have not seen any other type of collar or harness that will work as effectively as this. Typically used for larger, more aggressive breeds, in this instance where your mom is at risk, this may be her best tool.

If she can get a trainer who will train HER how to use this kind of chain/lead to stop the dog without hurting him, she may be able to stop him from pulling or jerking on the lead, and save herself from possible falls.

I have very large dogs, and choke chains aren't totally effective at getting them to stop pulling, especially if they're not positioned correctly; if they have thick necks they just stand up and strain against it and choke themselves if they're truly intent on getting at something.

If training isn't an option, try getting a halti or gentle leader head collar. It's basically a halter for dogs. It clasps around their head and attaches to their collar, and the leash attaches right below their snout. If they start to pull, it pulls their head around towards you so that they have a difficult time getting any purchase to go forward. If they pull really hard it cinches around their snout. The dogs often find the halter annoying to wear and try to get it off, but that seems to diminish if it's left on for awhile before and after walks so they can get used to it.

There's also prong collars, which I've never used but have talked to trainers who have said it's the best option in certain circumstances. They look wicked, but the trainers insist that they are humane and aren't painful for the dog if fitted correctly, which I suspect a lot of people don't manage to do.

Training takes a long time and is a lot of constant work. I have a friend with a dog with aggression issues. She worked with a doggie psychologist and it is an ongoing long term process.

Prong collars are FAR more humane than slip choke collars.

Face it, your mother won't change or train, and the dog won't change without training. Either put the dog with a real trainer and do a board and train or re-home the dog.

A 12 pound dog probably isn't a hound, but small dogs can be wickedly territorial and stubborn. It's an uphill battle for a good trainer.

Another suggestion for a halti or gentle leader head collar.

It's not a question of what he needs to be trained NOT to do....but what he needs to be trained TO do. She needs to train him to "Walk easy"....and "heel" and she can do it in her apartment. Have her get a pocket full of treats and work with him.....and carry treats with her when they are outside.
That and a slip chain collar should work.

And there-in lies the reason why I have 6 1/2 pounds of ill-behaved fluff!