aggressive to strangers (and almost strangers)

[Kendora]

Pepper is a mini longhair-2 years old. He was owned by a breader as a pup, then went to a family that kept him in a laundry room by himself for almost a year (he was punished when he was let out because he went potty on the floor-they said he wasn't house trained-go figure) then to a foster home (where he was treated well but not "loved up", and now to me. Now he is in a stable home and is very nice to all of us, including the kids, but HATES all other people. He tries to attack anyone that comes near him who is not in our family. We met with a trainer (expensive!) who said Pep needed more socialization, and to bring him everywhere we could. We have had some hellish days at Petsmart, let me tell you. If it was just barking, we could deal with it but he wants to rip people apart. We don't want to reprimand him physically (nose bop, ect...) because he was already physically abused. (Kicked and hit for potty accidents) We are not sure why he took to us right away. If anyone has suggestions, I'd really appreciate it. We don't want to give him up! Kendora

[Patt]

Pepper has had a very tough start in life. I have no experience in this situation. I'm sure someone here will be able to help you. A few of our members are foster Mom's and I'm sure they have had to deal with this. The trainer was right Pep does need socialization for sure. He also needs time and patience. My opinion would be to talk to a behaviorist, I believe they would get you started in the right direction. I know it might be costly but in the long run worth it.

Check out the following site as to whether you need a trainer or behaviorist.
http://www.geocities.com/jetflair/behaviorist.html

Please keep us updated. Good Luck!

Patt

[wriggin]

I am having the same problem with Ziggy. He even bit my dad at one point (the only person he has ever bitten), though I don't let him get close enough to bite anyone else. I have tried my best to socialize him and he does not growl and bark at my boyfriends family anymore but he did when he first met them. There are days that I think he is getting so much better and then the next day he wants to eat everyone up. I hate it because everyone thinks he's so cute until he turns back his lips and starts growling. I don't really have much advise as I have tried everything, even the chin bops and nothing really seems to help. I even talked to a trainer who said it will only get worse, that training will help control it but it will probably never be completely corrected because of his age (2.5 years). I hope that he is not right because that is depressing! I want everyone to enjoy Ziggy.

[TessieMom]

He definitely needs socialization asap! I would suggest basic obedience classes. You need to get control and establish yourself as alpha as soon as possible. It does not have to be expensive, but you have to put time and effort into it. Age 2.5 is not too old to train... look for another trainer. The key is to be consistent. I would also suggest that Jan Fennell's book, the Dog Listener, might give you some advice that would help.

Jan Fennell (http://www.janfennellthedoglistener.com/)

Rena and the Waco crew

[dutchman]

Yes socialization is necessary and a basic obedience class would be a good idea. You might want to try an gentle leader (a type of training collar) fow when you take Pepper out in public. He will hat it and may refust to even walk when he first has it on but it would be for his own good. The agressive kids are a much bigger worry than a submissive shy one. MY shy agressive boy Tanner changes personalities when he haa a gentle leader on. Without it he is very leary of getting attention and will sometimes nipped expecially if attention is bing forced on him. Wiith the gentlle leader on he will rub up against strangers legs and let them pet him. What they don't know is he is just trying to sucker them into taking off the gentle leader. The other good thing about the gentle leader is that if you keep a tight leash and they do make a lunge at somone their head will be turned back towards you. It's a two part design one part looks like a conventional collar but then there is a second part that has a loop that goes around their nose and the leash attaches under their chin to that second loop. IT is not a muzzle and they can still bite with it on. I can understand your reluctance to the chin bop but it may be necessay to gain some initial controll. You might also see if the spay bottle would work. Learning to read Pepper's body language is also something you need to work on. I can see Tanner getting stiiff and also getting a glassy eye stare just befoe he would nip. In some cases the igns would last some time in others it might be a second or two.

Good luck,

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[wriggin]

Does anyone have a link to where I could see what a Gentle Leader looks like?

[Mark]

Gentle leader (http://dachsie.org/store/equip2.html)

scroll down about 1/2 way. :)

[lotsadox]

I haven't used the gentle leader myself, but I've seen it used and it's very effective. A great way to take the fear biter out in public without risking him biting.

[dutchman]

Thanks for posting the link Mark. They can still bite while wearing the gentle leader it is not a muzzle but it does generally reduce the risk and like I said a lot of times just putting it on a dog changes their personality.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[Kendora]

Thanks for the advice, I started a new thread-it's only gotten worse. It's just so sad to have a dog that hates life, doesn't want to play...