trouble with other dogs

Question
Hi-
I've just gotten a 5 year old dog from the SPCA, he's part lab and part terrier of some sort. He's very calm and gentle at home and very good with people, and was supposed to be good with other dogs, but.....
When i walk him he heels fairly well if there's no distractions, but has a terrible time if anything catches his attention. I have particular trouble if there's another dog, he immediately wants to charge over to it, and i have a terrible time controlling him (he's very strong) It's like he wants to listen to me but can't stop himself. I have no idea what he'd do if he got  to the other dog. He doesn't bark, growl or raise his hackles, but he doesn't look like he wants to play either. I'm especially concerned because there's a lot of young men with pit bulls who walk around our neighbourhood too. They all seem like nice dogs, but, well, you know their reputation.
My question, after all that, is: Do you think he can be trained to be more manageable; i.e., do you think he might get to the point where i can walk him in peace, even if we encounter another dog?
I'm willing to put in the time to work with him at obedience classes, but if this behaviour is going to persist, i'd rather return him to the SPCA before we get too attached.
thanks,
cathy

Answer
HI CATHY
AT 5 YEARS OLD IT MIGHT BE HARD TO CHANGE THE DOGS WAYS.  IT ALSO MIGHT JUST BE A SCARE TATIC OF HIS.  YES, ONE DOES NOT WANT TO MESS WITH PIT BULLS.  THEY ARE BRED TO FIGHT.
U MIGHT WANT TO ARRANGE WITH SOMEBODY ELSE THAT HAS A DOG TO KEEP BOTH ON LEASHES AND LET YOUR DOG SLOWLY WALK UP, HOLD IT BACK AND SEE IF IT IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING MORE THAN JUST SMELL AND CHECK IT OUT.  IF SO, THEN PET AND PRAISE HIM.  IF HE POSTURES THE DOG THE HAIR GOES UP CROSS HIS BACK, THEN HE MEANS BUSINESS.  I PERSONALLY FEAR IF HE DOES THIS IT IS GOING TO BE MOST DIFFICULT TO CHANGE HIM AROUND DOGS.
THIS IS PROBABLY WHY HE WAS IN THE SHELTER, HE IS BAD AROUND DOGS.  DOG AGRESSION IS HARD TO BREAK AND U CAN NEVER FULLY TRUST THE DOG.

WARM REGARDS
PATT
WWW.SCHREKNHAUS.COM
GET A YOUNGER PUPPY THERE U CAN RAISE INTO A GOOD ADULT AS I DO MINE.  I DO NOT BUY OVER ONE YEAR OLD FROM GERMANY, TOO MANY BAD EXPERIENCES NO MATTER WHO WELL TRAINED THEY WERE.