19-month pit mix socializing question

[Unregistered]

A year ago, we adopted a 7-month lab mix puppy from a shelter where he had been for 4 months. I thought maybe mixed with boxer, as he had a serious underbite, but as he matured it became obvious it was pitbull (his whole head is unmistakable, and he's much shorter than a boxer). His personality seems to be mostly pit as well - he is funny, more energetic than ANY dog I've ever owned, loves to play rough, etc. We have an 8-year old collie/Aussie mix that is dominant dog, the pit mix always submits, and they wrestle nonstop. He also likes to antagonize one of my cats, but doesn't chase them or anything.
He is, however, HORRIBLY aggressive with other dogs. Twice he managed to get ahold of the other dog, and true to pit behavior, allowed me to remove his jaws from the other animal and subdue him. (My past experience has been that getting in the middle of a dog fight gets you bitten.) I cannot walk him on a leash - he will stand and strain against me, turn around and struggle madly to escape to get to the other dog. I might add he has found baby rabbits in our yard and brought them willingly to me, all alive.
My question is, at this age (now approx. a year and a half) is he still young enough to perhaps be socialized in a dog training class? We do own a muzzle, and I think a lot of dogs around him would overwhelm him and he wouldn't try to take it on. I don't require him to be best friends with every dog we ever encounter, but I would like him to be able to squelch the urge to attack. He has a fenced acre to play in, so not walking is not a big deal. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated - we have decided to treat him as a pit bull and not a lab, figuring that's the safer end of it. Thank you so much!
AMcCausland

[Texasbulldogs]

“Twice he managed to get ahold of the other dog, and true to pit behavior, allowed me to remove his jaws from the other animal and subdue him.”
Hopefully you have rectified the situation, so he won’t be able to do that again! Not really sure, why you feel the need to call is a “pit bull”, you rescued a mutt, no need to try and place a breed “name” on it!

“I cannot walk him on a leash - he will stand and strain against me, turn around and struggle madly to escape to get to the other dog.”
That is because…he is the “alpha”! You have never established yourself as the boss, so he did. The best thing to do is get with a training in your area. There is absolutely no reason why anyone shouldn’t be able to walk their dogs without the dog acting up. Walks are supposed too be enjoyable for you and the dog.

“My question is, at this age (now approx. a year and a half) is he still young enough to perhaps be socialized in a dog training class?”
It’s never too late! The problem isn’t your dog being “socialize”, its you not being in control. Once someone actually “trains” you how to raise and train a dog correctly, your dog will become a well adjusted pet. The owner’s are the one that create unruly dogs, not the dogs genetic or whatnot.

“I don't require him to be best friends with every dog we ever encounter, but I would like him to be able to squelch the urge to attack.”
Then get yourself some training, so that a walk can start becoming enjoyable for you and your dog. The dog should be focused on YOU, not anything else. If he loses focus, it’s you job to regain it, before it escalates.

“He has a fenced acre to play in, so not walking is not a big deal.”
Only for you! You can have a 100 acre yard, your dog still needs exercise. Just like yourself, no matter how big of a house you live in, you still want and enjoy getting out of it!

“we have decided to treat him as a pit bull and not a lab, figuring that's the safer end of it.”
Why? You’re the problem, not the dog!

[Rockstar]

Firstoff, I absolutely despise the term "pit mix." A dog can be part golden retriever, part chow, and part mountain lion, but if it happens to have rose ears and a wide skull, it becomes a "pit mix" lol.
Instead of treating your dog like a "pitbull," maybe you should treat it as an aggressive mixed breed:) I mean no disrespect whatsoever, it's just that the majority of "pitbull" attacks are likely by mixed breeds that bear a resemblance to the real thing, but it's the APBT that takes the brunt in the media.
To answer your question: at 19 months old, I would say it is unlikely that your dog can be socialized to accept the presence of other dogs...but not impossible. There are a number of socialization clinics throughout the country who specialize in your situation. You'll have to do some research. You'll find any reputable one to be pretty costly, and there will certainly be no guarantees. The important thing is that you, as an owner, continue to be vigilant and responsible.
Best of luck to you.