Has Anakin had a full vet check (recently), including thyroid?

 

He went a few weeks ago for his shots. I don't think any testing was done?

Would thyroid do something like that?

 

You might be in the situation Audrey is in - we manage her environment. I try to walk her where there aren't a lot of dogs; avoid any off-leash areas; turn her around when a dog and owner are walking towards us; etc etc. Work all the time on focus, walk with treats (if Anakin loves food) even tho they are useless if another dog is too close. As for people, keep distance from people if Anakin is unpredictable and try to get her to focus on you when you see people getting closer...and move away a bit so there is a bubble of space. Basically, you have to be aware and pro-active ALL the time. It can be stressful and isn't for everyone but it depends on how devoted you are to her and also whether or not you or your husband can find joy in the slow process of desensitizing her. Anakin may never become comfortable with strange dogs or people but she can get better. It's a full-time job.

Wagging the tail could just be excitement - aggressive excitement, not 'come play with me'.

Is Anakin a sweetheart at home with you and your husband?

 

I would rule out any medical issues first, IMO. Hypothyroidism has been linked to aggression often times: Behavioral changes associated with thyroid dysfunction in dogs.

For thyroid, I would have a "free t3/t4" completed. It's not free, that's the name of the test LOL I would talk to your vet about any additional testing that may be needed.

 

How did you guys react when he growled and barked on leash last night?

 

Hubby had the leash and turn him around and headed back towards the house. Just calling his name trying to get his attention. (also mumbling under his breath....this dog is bad he has to go. I am done with this dog this is bad) Once we hit the deck....he was fine and "Anakin" again.

What is annoying is he is the PERFECT dog when no one is around!!! I mean perfect...we'll in this momma's eyes

 

Yes, thyroid can cause a dog to act up.

I would keep working with a behaviorist/trainer if at all possible. I had a foster that came to me human and dog aggressive with a bite history and we worked really really hard with positive reinforcement and clicker training. She progressed in ways I never thought possible and was adopted by an amazing family that wanted to give a dog like her a chance.

Please don't give up on him. He sounds like he has the potential to be a great dog, just like my foster, but it will take a lot of time and training on your part.

This is a great website to find a reputable trainer in your area:
Association of Pet Dog Trainers - Dog Training Resources

And how to choose a dog trainer:
http://www.apdt.com/petowners/choose/default.aspx

The training I did with my foster:
http://clickerleash.wordpress.com/2...9/08/23/look-at-that-a-counterintuitive-approach-to-dealing-with-reactive-dogs/

And another great website:
http://controlunleashed.net/


Good luck!

 

You've got to have a great behaviorist work in person with you, if you're going to try to manage his issues and help him.

If that's not do-able for you guys, his options are limited, I fear.

Not going to have an easy time finding a rescue placement for him, with a bite history. Most experienced, patient, knowledgeable homes already have (and keep!) a very full inn.

It's a tough one. Your husband is right that it's a liability issue, and it sounds like (sorry) you guys don't read Anakin's body language well--as someone else mentioned, a wagging tail can mean many different things, depending on how it's wagging, and what the rest of his body is saying.

One inexpensive, but very informative book that will help you with *that* part is Turid Rugaas' On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals.

You'll really have to honestly decide what you and your husband are willing and able to work on together, for Anakin, and whether that's enough to keep everyone safe.

Edit to add: Rotten's post reminded me---McDevitt's exercise "Look at That!" would help Anakin immensely, but you're going to need an instructor to teach you how to implement that with him. Try to find a Control Unleashed class or private lessons in your area.

 

I think Hubby is better at reading him than I am.....he never thought the waggin' tail was a "good thing"......I am desperately grasping for a reason to keep him.

You've got to have a great behaviorist work in person with you, if you're going to try to manage his issues and help him.

If that's not do-able for you guys, his options are limited, I fear.

Not going to have an easy time finding a rescue placement for him, with a bite history. Most experienced, patient, knowledgeable homes already have (and keep!) a very full inn.

It's a tough one. Your husband is right that it's a liability issue, and it sounds like (sorry) you guys don't read Anakin's body language well--as someone else mentioned, a wagging tail can mean many different things, depending on how it's wagging, and what the rest of his body is saying.

One inexpensive, but very informative book that will help you with *that* part is Turid Rugaas' On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals.

You'll really have to honestly decide what you and your husband are willing and able to work on together, for Anakin, and whether that's enough to keep everyone safe.

 

If push came to shove, why couldn't you just put a muzzle on him when you go on a walk?

How old was he when you got him? Leaving his home before eight weeks means he has missed out on a lot of education from his mom and litter mates. Has he ever been attacked by another dog? That can really escalate issues with other dogs. Male dobermans are known for being aggressive toward other males and you just have to manage that.

Maybe you could get the behaviorist back out to help you with these issues and to suggest options.

I wouldn't give up so quickly or let my husband make me find my dog another home. I have discovered most times the dog is still there after the man is gone.

 

We bought a muzzle and are working slowly working to get him to "like" it. That is a struggle.

He was just 6 weeks old when he came here. So that could be part of the issue.

If he has been attacked it was his first 6 weeks. Nothing since being here.

I have a message in with the behaviorist that we worked with before. We'll see what she suggests.

I laughed when I read your last statement....that is probably true more times then I would like to admit!

 

another option, as far as training, is to contact a local kennel club. Find out if they offer one on one, private training time. Be honest and upfront about Anakin's issues so they can match a trainer to your needs or possibly offer a referral.

Training Resources

 

Sorry about calling Anakin 'she'- Anakin is a male. Mybad.
That's good that Anakin is fabulous at home and with your family. Maybe your husband just doesn't like to deal with that stress. How about you? Can you walk him and turn him or is he too strong for you when he gets aroused?
I have now been able to take Audrey behind something so that she can't see the other dog, all the while treating her (very high value treats i.e. meat, tuna jerky) and having her focus on me...or the other dog goes behind a big car while I go by (only one neighbor is willing to do that with me). People in my neighborhood are pretty good. They know I need space, they know she can't handle a visual and being too close or having a dog move towards her (even if 1/2 a block away). But there are always new people and new dogs, so it is not always a totally 'managed' environment.
Another thing I noticed recently with my gal is this(this is with people): she is extemely sensitive to how I react, let's say, if there is a person coming close by. If I tighten the leash at all, she will become more alert. So I keep the leash short but just loose enough so that she doesn't feel tension, all the while, keeping her attention on me and moving forward. If I stop, she will feel something is wrong. If I tighten up, she will also. But it has to be short so that if she decides to lunge, I can nip it in the bud and contol her.

I don't even try this with strange dogs. I just avoid them. She's not 'there' yet. She will walk (separately) with 2 dogs she knows. And she will ignore dogs barking from a yard and now even behind a fence when they run up to the fence barking...so she is making progress. It takes a lot of commitment. I walk her 4x a day every day.

 

I can....actually when I first went out I had him and we got back to the deck..... then we walked back to hubby and he took him (at this point the neighbor wasn't right there next to husband which was the only reason I walked off the deck towards my husband)

Anakin has a weird "protecting mommy" thing??? I noticed in the car a few times. If my husband is there Anakin is more likely to be chilled and "Dad's got this" but if James runs into someplace and it is just Anakin and I in the car he is a barking freak.

Now someone else said that was my fault.....that I "expect" him to bark so he does. So that is something *I* have been working on. It's difficult though when I don't feel like that is what I am doing.

Can you walk him and turn him or is he too strong for you when he gets aroused?
I

 

Another suggestion is to tape yourselves working and walking with Anakin and you may see places where you can improve your own body language. The dog sees your movements the way it looks on the video. An eye-opener.

 

You have gotten alot of good advice! First check medical and rule out anything, keep working with the behaviorist. It is so important to be able to read you dog so you can correct his issue when he is at a level 2 or 3, it's very hard to do once he is already in a red zone or level 8-10. You mentioned your behaviorist helped with one issue and the dog has never done it again, that would be enough for me to try again! Your hubby may come around once he see's progress, but if you dont have an experience person helping you, how can you make progress. I think it's worth a try! Your dog is still very young! Keep us posted!

 

Help for Your Reactive Dog (BAT cartoon) | Ahimsa Dog Blog

I've always loved this little cartoon lol. Working within a dog's threshold is very important because they are still in a learning state of mind. If you do take him outside for a walk, keep him under his threshold and avoid anything that would cause him to go over it. As soon as he does go over his threshold, you need to take him home immediately. But until you find a trainer, I would avoid putting him in such scenarios.

 

I love Ahimsa in general, and that is a great little cartoon. Thanks for sharing it, hadn't seen that before.

Mina and I are working those very exercises now, and the little illustrated Boston's body language is very, very familiar about now

 

Is he dog aggressive or is he a reactive dog?

My first Dobe was reactive towards some dogs when on leash (but she wasn't dog aggressive). I worked on "leave it" but what really helped the most was letting her carry her soft frisbee on walks, to the vets, etc. She wouldn't drop her frisbee to bark at the other dogs. She might grumble or shake her frisbee but carrying it prevented the other behaviors.

There are classes for reactive dogs that can be effective to lessen or stop the behavior.
I know 2 of them in the Chgo. western suburbs (can't remember how close you live). Also know of a trainer who has had success with dogs with issues and works with Dobermans. You might want to just talk to her to see what your options are before giving him up. PM me if you want more information.

 

I know it is hard not to anticipate things are going to happen, but just try to picture things happening like you want them to happen and be very, very positive.

Good luck...

But really, it doesn't help what James said about him being bad and no good or whatever it was...if he is thinking that then it does affect the dog.

 

He has been positive up to this point. He really has given up. But he has given me the okay to research and see if I can come up with something to help.

It is time for me to take the lead and help Anakin.....showing James that deep down Anakin is a really good dog and we are lucky to have him

 

One thing I didn't see mentioned - when Anakin saw the other dog, was his leash tight?

One of the first mistakes I made as a new dog owner was to pull back on the leash when Delta was debating whether or not that dog she just spotted was a threat or not. (I love the cartoon dog's "Danger?" thought bubble) When I did that she interpreted my action as "YES THAT'S A THREAT!" and went to growling, lunging and barking.

Working on loose leash walking (so the leash isn't taut all the time to begin with!) and being calm and happy-voiced myself when we meet a new dog has helped.


Also, what was the other dog doing? A loose dog running straight at Delta, ears up, tail up, is something she considers very rude. If said dog isn't a puppy, it's likely to be met with a growling, teeth-showing display. Delta is also dominant towards other dogs and just generally takes offense easily. The doggie daycare staff knows who she can play with and who she can't, and we do not visit the dog park at all. (Heck, she disliked Guinness on sight! But there are dogs she adores as well. I'm still learning to identify all her triggers - and I'll note that they can change too. If she's wound up about something else, it lowers her tolerance level for strange dogs.)

I second the recommendation about learning dog body language better - it'll make a huge difference as you try to identify WHAT he's saying and possibly WHY.

I'd also like to reiterate that being aggressive towards other dogs is NOT related to being aggressive towards humans. If you feel that the with behaviourist and all that Anakin is not human aggressive, then his actions towards other dogs shouldn't change your mind there.

 

One thing I didn't see mentioned - when Anakin saw the other dog, was his leash tight? It was when I had him......the neighbor (who I thought was gone by the time I came out) was next to my husbands truck so Anakin was pulling to get to James. This morning I put the prong collar back on to help with the pulling. He and I have walked twice today with it on and he hasn't pulled. So he was on loose leash today......no one was outside so we'll see when at some point someone is outside.

One of the first mistakes I made as a new dog owner was to pull back on the leash when Delta was debating whether or not that dog she just spotted was a threat or not. (I love the cartoon dog's "Danger?" thought bubble) When I did that she interpreted my action as "YES THAT'S A THREAT!" and went to growling, lunging and barking.

Working on loose leash walking (so the leash isn't taut all the time to begin with!) and being calm and happy-voiced myself when we meet a new dog has helped. I will get better with the loose leash. Yesterday when he spotted Carmi (the dog) I tried talking to him...."we love carmi she is our friend.....at that point though he didn't much care what I was saying I just need to physically get him from seeing her.


Also, what was the other dog doing? she is a shy up her owners butt kind of dog. She is a barker (although not at that time) but has barked at Anakin from inside their car or seeing Anakin out the window.A loose dog running straight at Delta, ears up, tail up, is something she considers very rude. If said dog isn't a puppy, it's likely to be met with a growling, teeth-showing display. Delta is also dominant towards other dogs and just generally takes offense easily. The doggie daycare staff knows who she can play with and who she can't, and we do not visit the dog park at all. (Heck, she disliked Guinness on sight! But there are dogs she adores as well. I'm still learning to identify all her triggers - and I'll note that they can change too. If she's wound up about something else, it lowers her tolerance level for strange dogs.)

I second the recommendation about learning dog body language better - it'll make a huge difference as you try to identify WHAT he's saying and possibly WHY.

I'd also like to reiterate that being aggressive towards other dogs is NOT related to being aggressive towards humans. If you feel that the with behaviourist and all that Anakin is not human aggressive, then his actions towards other dogs shouldn't change your mind there.he was aggressive towards people. But that is where we learned to control it....manage it? mostly it was with our youngest and SHE has had lots of rules put in place and it has help a GREAT deal......when the behaviorist was here she said "oh yeah he doesn't like her at all"......and the other day he walked up to her and licked her face instead of completely ignoring her or I swear giving her a dirty look. She smiled but really didn't respond because she knows she isn't to touch him. But they are VERY VERY Slowly building a relationship and while we still don't completely trust him with her, it is definitely better and we haven't had any more biting.

red me

 

I have a reactive dog from a backyard breeder.

I don't want to sound harsh, but I want to be realistic. If both you AND your husband are not on board 100% with working on Anakin's issues it is not going to turn out well. Owning and working with a reactive/fearful dog is not easy, and progress can be slow. It takes a great trainer and a lot of commitment from everyone to work on it. It can be expensive. It may involve consulting with a veterinary behaviorist to talk about medication options (around here, a consult alone is several hundred dollars). Even with behavioral modification and environment management, you may never have a "normal" dog.

You've had Anakin for almost two years and he's gotten progressively worse. I remember the thread where you initially posted the pic in your signature, and RedFawnRising gently pointed out what Anakin's body language was telling you. He's had a long time with no intervention to build up fears and behaviors.

I hope that both you and your husband can commit to "rehabilitating" Anakin. But I want you to have a realistic idea of what that means. I've been working with Shanoa for two years. We've spent more money than I care to think about on working with our trainer. We had to aggressively seek out a Control Unleashed class; my trainer doesn't advertise, so it was a lot of work to find her. We went to class weekly for over a year. Though we're on a break now, we'll be going back. It's an ongoing process of slowly working with them while also keeping them from practicing their behaviors as well as keeping them from situations where they are bound to fail. Just be realistic about what you can handle. There is no miracle, easy cure. It's a long slog. That doesn't mean it can't be done, and there are many here who are a testament to the fact that hard work can produce a (mostly) normal dog.

I wish you the best of luck. I sincerely hope your whole family can commit to Anakin.

 

I don't want to sound harsh, but I want to be realistic. If both you AND your husband are not on board 100% with working on Anakin's issues it is not going to turn out well. Owning and working with a reactive/fearful dog is not easy, and progress can be slow. It takes a great trainer and a lot of commitment from everyone to work on it. It can be expensive. It may involve consulting with a veterinary behaviorist to talk about medication options (around here, a consult alone is several hundred dollars). Even with behavioral modification and environment management, you may never have a "normal" dog.

I would like to second this. I also have a reactive dog and while it is manageable it requires everyone to be 100% on board and understanding of it.
After the first time he bit someone I thought he was aggressive and hid him away in my house for 3 years. It was not until I meet a behaviorist that I learned what his real issue was. He is fearful, and I only made it worse by keeping him locked away from the world for so long. We have worked a lot with him and while he is loads better there are still some situations where he is still reactive and I have to be ready for that.

How much socialization did/does Anakin get with other dogs and people? Sometimes dogs act leash aggressive because they do not know how to properly react to another dog and are filled with all sorts of emotional responses that are not always appropriate.

everyone is right, with a bite history he does not have a very good chance if sent to rescue. I would say your best option is get the husband on board, find a good BEHAVIORIST (not a trainer) and work with them a lot. Not just once in the living room. You will need to accept that he will never be the dog that you can do anything with or 100% trust but you can still manage a great life with him if you are willing to put in the effort.

Good luck!

 

YouTube - ‪Sessions with Cesar: More tips on Dog Aggression‬‏

Not about Caesar or his methods.....but 1:30 reminds me of Anakin!

 

YouTube - ‪Sessions with Cesar: More tips on Dog Aggression‬‏

Not about Caesar or his methods.....but 1:30 reminds me of Anakin!

Do you mean the 2 smaller dogs at just before 1:30 or the rottweiler just after 1:30 that growled and lunged at the person?

If the rottweiler action reminds you of Anakin - is that towards a person or towards another dog? Sorry, I assume you mean towards a dog...just wanted to be clear.

 

When you said "We like Carmi, she is our friend," then Anakin does not understand those English words at all, but may very well have interpreted your tone as praise for ramping up and getting defensive and barky and growly.

By "praising" him, you very likely reinforced his behavior and state of mind even more.

You really need a good behaviorist working with you.

It's with all the little daily things you need an expert eye observing, commenting, helping, coaching.

The foundation is in all those daily teachable moments, and if you're making errors, then the dog is not going to get better, and will likely get worse.

 

And see I was thinking more calming.....meaning I was not worked up....it was said in normal speech.....like any old ho hum conversation.

Because I know there have been time that I have gotten worked up and James will point that out to me after that fact......"really how do you expect Anakin to react when you say something in a worked up manner"

Working on it....working on it.

Maybe we will have her out again looking at a different problem!

 

Do you walk her a lot? Sometimes it is stressful and easy to not get out as much when you have a reactive dog, but I think it is really important to get your dog out and you get lots of chances to work on stuff....all below threshold, ideally.

 

Part of our "problem" I think.....although maybe I am thinking too much like a human again......we live in the country. He sees someone outside of our family maybe once a week. MAYBE.....and that would be a "busy" week.

Now that summer is back we do take him to Farmer's Market and he does REALLY REALLY well there. But we keep him a distance from the other dogs ....for now anyhow we'll see.

SO while he does get walked a few times a day. It is quiet other than the occasional chicken, duck or goat (our other animals). No cars. No people. No dogs.

Today I took him out and made it more like work. "Look at me" "Sit" "stay" "down" work.

And even yesterday when he saw the other dog he would sit when I asked him to.....but never taking his eyes off the other dog. I know I need to work on him focusing on me.

 

I am not sure what you mean by "maybe we will have her out again..."

Pls clarify. Thanks.

 

The behavioristic we had out before when we were having issues with our youngest and Anakin She was also his "kindergarten" teacher!

 

I know there are some Control Unleashed trainers in the Chicago area.

This is NOT something you can do on your own. Your dog now has a bite history. Please, have a serious discussion as a family to decide whether you can take this on or not. And if the answer is not, let DT help you figure out the best solution.

 

OP - I just have to give you so much credit because you are wanting to commit to this dog, and are being so positive even throughout this thread where people are poking and prodding and asking difficult questions.

I just want to voice another opinion about getting someone in person to work with you. I think that you are so loving and gentle-natured that it might be hard for you to be firm with Anakin. (Of course I know very little about you but this is what seems to come across in your posts, so feel free to tell me to shove it.) And by firm I don't mean abusive or angry. But these dogs will work the inch you give them into a marathon. And it can be really hard to see what we're doing from the inside, or even via a spouse. A trainer can really be a helpful coach and call you out on things that you don't realize you're doing (or not doing.)

I also see a verrrry stiff, "frozen" Rottie in your video. An in-person trainer can also help you with some of the body language stuff. You don't want your loving nature to turn paranoid and go in the other direction, but this will take work and some realism, and might make you uncomfortable to work through certain things. If you're truly up for it, Anakin may be the dog to help teach you how to really work with a working breed. If you just can't commit to that kind of work and effort (and this will certainly not be an overnight fix), no one here will blame you.

I truly wish you and your husband the best of luck.

 

op - i just have to give you so much credit because you are wanting to commit to this dog, and are being so positive even throughout this thread where people are poking and prodding and asking difficult questions.

I just want to voice another opinion about getting someone in person to work with you. I think that you are so loving and gentle-natured that it might be hard for you to be firm with anakin. (of course i know very little about you but this is what seems to come across in your posts, so feel free to tell me to shove it.) and by firm i don't mean abusive or angry. But these dogs will work the inch you give them into a marathon. and it can be really hard to see what we're doing from the inside, or even via a spouse. A trainer can really be a helpful coach and call you out on things that you don't realize you're doing (or not doing.) i hate to admit that you are probably right this is something i am working on.

i also see a verrrry stiff, "frozen" rottie in your video. An in-person trainer can also help you with some of the body language stuff. You don't want your loving nature to turn paranoid and go in the other direction, and this is probably where i am now. I don't mind him going for a ride with us but the thought of him being out in a group of people makes me nervous and at this point i am sure that is the last thing that anakin needs!!!but this will take work and some realism, and might make you uncomfortable to work through certain things. If you're truly up for it, anakin may be the dog to help teach you how to really work with a working breed. If you just can't commit to that kind of work and effort (and this will certainly not be an overnight fix), no one here will blame you.

I truly wish you and your husband the best of luck.

thanks!!

 

It sounds like maybe she wasn't the right trainer to help you. I am glad that it sounds like you tried to socialize Anakin the best that you could. Has he ever had any traumatic experiences that could have helped lead to the development of his behavior? Obviously I cant tell you if he is dominant or fearful aggressive but I know what happened with my own dog. Not sure if it will help but this is where I think it started, for him.

He was a service dog, he was well socialized and went everywhere with me. One night we were coming home from my job at about 3 in the morning. I lived in a bad area and we were attacked. He saved my life. Several days later while out on a walk we encountered a family with a child who wanted to pet him. He acted reactive on the leash for the first time in his life. I took him to the vet and had blood work and x-rays done to see if his behavior was medically based. My service dog had just bit someone and I was perplexed. he checked out fine but was immediately retired as my service dog. in the following years, when I did take him away from the house, he was attacked and severely injured by another dog on 3 separate occasions. he became more and more reactive after each attack. I found a trainer who supposedly worked with aggressive dogs and started attending lessons with him. He used harsh adversives and corrections along with a shock collar.
In a sense I had taken my already scared dog, and every time I left the house with him he was hurt, terrified, and tortured. I quickly realized that the "trainer" we were working with was making things worse but I had no idea where to turn. (this was my first dog since moving out of my parents home)I never let my dog leave the house, after that, and when we did have to go to the vet or something, I would keep him on a tight leash and was always anxious (only increasing his anxiety).

Had I found a good behaviorist to help me, in the beginning I would have never taken a sweet service dog and helped him become a highly reactive and untrustworthy dog. I hope that if nothing else, my story, will help express how important it is to find the right help, for your dog, early on. I love my boy with all my heart, it has been nearly 5 years since he first bit someone and we have made it work. He goes with me into public but I must be vigilant and play interference if I notice something that could set him off. (it takes time but you will learn to read your dog's body language and triggers). I do not take him anywhere that I know will be crowded and we plan our outings so that we are not going for walks or to petsmart during busy, peak times.

I hope that helps, a little. Living with a reactive dog is very doable but it is not for everyone. You need to decide what you can live with. hang in there, I know it is terribly stressful.

 

No traumatic experience unless it was his first 6 weeks of life.....but the lady we got him from never mentioned it and we are close friends with her brother and are still in contact with her even through this.

I really can't put my finger on when this started. He wasn't like this as a puppy when he got here. Then the issue started with the daughter. Enter Behaviorist/trainer. Then it seems to have turned into dog aggression this year? But really it is NOT ALL dogs....or it hasn't been. It's dogs who get in his face and the owners think it is cute that they are "talking"........Carmi (the dog) is on what he perceives as his property I would assume. Now he used to bark at the human neighbors and has stopped that.....he doesn't necessarily want to be buddy buddy. But he will chill out and lay down when my husband is talking to them. But they know what to do with a dog as far as "dog manners" go.

If I were to compare taking him out last summer to taking him out this summer last year was more nervous being in a new place....this year it is more tense nervous? If that makes sense?

It sounds like maybe she wasn't the right trainer to help you. I am glad that it sounds like you tried to socialize Anakin the best that you could. Has he ever had any traumatic experiences that could have helped lead to the development of his behavior? Obviously I cant tell you if he is dominant or fearful aggressive but I know what happened with my own dog. Not sure if it will help but this is where I think it started, for him.

 

You don't need a "bevaiorist" you need a trainer and preferably one that is used to working breeds. This is a male Dobermann most don't like other dogs and I would guess this behavior has built up and only gotten worse. I would recomend finding a local Schutzhund club and seeing if you can work with them on obedience or a good trainer. It is actually not a hard problem to fix it is strickly an obediance issue. If you teach the dog to heel then in order for the dog to show aggression it must break the heel comand in which a corection can be given and the dog will understand. The behavior is in the dog, but it's reaction is not.

 

It is actually not a hard problem to fix it is strickly an obediance issue. If you teach the dog to heel then in order for the dog to show aggression it must break the heel comand in which a corection can be given and the dog will understand. The behavior is in the dog, but it's reaction is not.

I was just curious why anyone would ever tell an average dog owner to use a correction for aggressive behavior? Whether it is dominance or fear based aggression this puts the owner at risk for creating a heightened emotional response from the dog, adding more negative energy to the situation, and increasing the likely hood of redirection of the aggression back at the owner. And, I am sorry but, no level of obedience training will overcome an underlying behavioral issue. I could tell my dog to sit, all day, but if he is fearing for his life he is still going to respond with fight or flight. Dogs are thinking, feeling, emotional beings and not machines. To treat them as machines is unfair and disrespectful to all the imperfections they tolerate, in us. The reaction is the expressed behavior of the emotion the dog is feeling. They are not mutually exclusive.

 

One of the problems when you have a dog that is very reactive and has a bite history, is that you have to be careful and can't take chances. This, then, creates its own problem because you have to balance just the right amount of exposure while keeping it under threshold...and not become fearful yourself of taking your dog out to places where you have no control over the situation. I find that I am always thinking of what my options are if a dog were to show up and I always take her to places where I am either familiar or have kind of checked out the area as to whether there are dogs nearby, off-leash, etc. It's a way of life for me. I will never have the dog that you can take to the coffee shop and tie up outside or have sit at your feet while you chat and people and dogs walk by. I will never have the dog that I can take to the oceanside to run and play where there are other dogs. I can work towards that, but realistically if we get
2/3's of the way there in her lifetime, I will be ecstatic.
oh - you mentioned pulling her back by her collar. Sometimes that makes them react more. If I pull her to the side and around as opposed to 'backwards', it is better.
re: muzzle. A couple of neighbors wanted me to use a muzzle. I never did. It just didn't feel right to me. And I am glad I didn't. I think it would have backfired and caused regression and not progress.
I am worried, though, when I read your post about how you can't trust Anakin with your child. This is probably the most important thing I think you need to work on and to work out.