Bullie Agression toward smaller dogs

Question
QUESTION: I have 1 yo FEMALE EB.  She show aggression toward small, dogs, the yappeir the worse.  She has no problem in social situations with other dogs that are larger than her but the minute a smaller dog comes in the picture it's all over.  Especially if the dog yaps at her, that's generally the trigger, (or at least escalates the situation quicker), but not always. Snarling lunging and usually freaking the hell out of the smaller dog owner.  And of course it's my dogs fault that their yappy dog yapped at my dog...  I notice that smaller dogs attempt to be aggressive first to establish a presence and my girl doesn't put up with that.  I don't let the situation escalate to even see where it would go, if it's play or actual aggression, however I suspect the latter. She'll do this on leash but if she's off leash and can corner the other dog she'll go after them as well.  I've seen her go after neighborhood  dogs that were on my front lawn but I can understand the territory thing and I reel her in when she does this.  She is definitely a dominant female but what can be done to mellow this tendency to not get along with smaller dogs?  I fear trying to socialize her with smaller dogs because I can not predict what she'll do and don't want any backlash from a small dog owner if there is ever a real problem.  At a dog beach where all the dogs are running around having a good time she's cool with big and small dogs alike but I may not see the aggression because she can't catch the smaller dogs....  She is obedient save for this trait.  Responds to commands, sit, stay, down, come, kennel etc and walks well on leash.... For the most part everything is good except for this...  Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Can you blame her?  Seriously, there are some alpha females who will absolutely not accept other types of dogs, other females, whatever. This is very difficult to rectify especially when it has gone on this long. If you can find a behaviorist perhaps he/she might have some suggestions.

The socializing should have been done when she was very little. At this stage of the game, keeping her away from the little ankle biters would be my best suggestion. If she hurts one, you both are going to be in trouble.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can I blame her?  I am not sure what kind of an answer that is...  But she accepts all other dogs no problem and has been well socialized as a pup and continues to get out. I made/make a constant effort to get her out all the time and my lifestyle is such that she is out and about all the time. She still does well at dog beach and she has met and played well with all sorts of dogs then again you don't see many Yorkies at dog beach and maybe that's it..... It also seems that now that she's a little bigger and knows what she likes and doesn't like that she's crossed the smaller dogs off her list of acceptable playmates....

Its almost like she wants to play and then it turns nasty usually when the yappie dog inevitably yapps/barks.... But she's already getting worked up when she sees the smaller dog. Each time I get her attention, reel her in and have her focus on me. She gets a very stern no and "hey" (which she's come to learn as a command when she' not paying attention and doing something wrong) I then get her away from the yappie dog, Have her sit, re focus on me and get her to move on from that situation hopefully knowing that what she did was not going to be tolerated. This has worked for other things she has tried to do and as she has associated "nos" with bad behavior she ceases to act out save for the small dog fetish.... I've been trying to establish that I am in charge and that behavior is inappropriate but when the smaller dog comes into the picture she's in another world.....  

Answer
Humor is lost in this genre.

You're doing all the right things. You just have an alpha female. She is always going to be aggressive toward these smaller dogs. The play turns to something else once the smaller dog starts yapping. This is a defensive and/or confrontational response to your dog. Therefore, she's ready to rock and roll once it reaches that pitch.

If you continue the training, you may be able to keep this under control but I do think a professional might be a good idea.