Need A Recommendatino For A Trainer In The Outer Northern Brisbane Sub

[Pailin]

I have a lovely crossbreed dog. I won't even try to hazard a guess at breed because she isn't easy to pick. I have had her since she was a puppy and she is now 1yr 3months old. She is a medium size, almost a small large...

I have not had a problem with her until recently. She is submissive, listens well on most occasions (recall is a bit hit and miss so she isn't let off), she has been socialised well and gets along well with other dogs and people. She has never been mistreated by anyone and is a loyal companion to my two children and myself. She doesn't seem to have any dominance issues with the family and definitely views me as pack leader.

Now I have noticed in the past (once or twice) she has taken a while to warm up to some men but her behaviour is escalating and I do not know how to address it. She seems to be reacting to men in a fear aggressive way and it needs to be dealt with. It is not all men because she likes my brother and my ex (kids dad) but I would have to say that they are the only men she has had a regular contact with. It is mainly whilst out for a walk with me and the kids (in their pram) and it generally tends to be if we are stopped. If we simply walk past someone she gets alert but will bring her attention back to me with a sharp correction but if we are stopped (say at the local shops) she tends to have a more serious reaction.

The other night I left her outside with my Mum and the kids and came out of the shops to find her acting VERY fear aggressive with a young man (about 20, big built). He had apparently approached to say something to my mother in a non threatening way and she went off. Not snapping at him but certainly a LOT of growling, hackles raised, tail tucked. She tended to sort of skitter round the pram, would take a step towards him and then duck back again. I corrected her and put her in a drop and then asked the man if he minded me walking her past him. I put myself and a far bit of space between them but she was still fearful and even after correction from me she still didn't quit it entirely.

I am VERY concerned and taking it very seriously. Her behaviour is UNACCEPTABLE and I have to admit to being out of my depth with dealing with it. She is literally the perfect dog in nearly every other way. I don't understand it and am looking for a recommendation of someone local who is qualified to help me deal with this as well as any insight or advice that anyone can give.

My mother had the lovely pearl of wisdom when I mentioned having to get a trainer that it's good she reacts like that and it is protecting the children :D and OMG I nearly ripped her a new one trying to explain how NOT good it was and that it was very serious and quite dangerous if not stopped.

I am so concerned though. She is such a sweet dog and I do not want her to come to harm (or anyone else) because I cannot stop or teach her out of this behaviour.

Please any advice or recommendations would be so thoroughly appreciated!

[huski]

Hey Pailin

Jane Harper is wonderful, she comes highly recommended by several DOLers :D

http://www.dogsontrack.com.au/

[Pailin]

Thanks very much Huski. I will give her a call tomorrow and have a chat.

I'm off for bed now but will come back in tomorrow to check the thread.

[Pailin]

Bumping for some insight.

[persephone]

Hi .

You've been given the name of someone, which is a great start! :D Now you will have professional advice from someone who can see/hear your dog...and that is the best option!

[Nekhbet]

your dog is reaching maturity and is guarding her pack - the thing driving this reaction though may boil down to a couple of things

definitely views me as pack leader.

I disagree. She may in some cases but when you are not around she has taken over that job and will try to the more she matures. She's still a pup yet going into adulthood, this is a good age for behaviors like this to start. There is a difference between listening to a command because you have to/get a treat for it and actually accepting your leadership in dogs. I have seen dogs that owners swear black and blue are never in charge, take a good look and most of the time the dog is pushing them at what to do, when and how.

without seeing the dog it could come down to a couple of things

- tension that has been built over men as you have simply punished without showing her the desired behavior and not shown the dog that there is nothing to be angry over/created a positive association with them

- she was always fearful of strange men from the beginning and now with hormonal maturity the reaction is taking true shape. Could also be linked to anxiety at being out of the home, targets men as they are the most daunting and redirects her anxiety onto them

- she thinks she is in charge, but you have quelled that enough when you are present. As soon as you are out of sight she steps up to the plate and protects her 'pack' especially the baby which can be a common trait in bully breeds.

Either way muzzle the dog when you walk her and find yourself a behaviorist ASAP. Muzzle more for the dogs safety then yours, if your dog bites someone out on the street the repercussions are not pleasant.

Edited November 9, 2009 by Nekhbet

[RL1]

You could try TeamWork Dog obedience. They train at Carseldine, Redcliffe and Caboolture.

[Pailin]

Thank you for your views. I have rang Jane up already this morning and am going to sit down and document everything I think is relevant and email it to her. I am going to have to juggle a little to see if I can find the money (which is an INCREDIBLY reasonable amount based on the support she said she gives) and then get this all started.

Thank you again for your time and Nekbet thank you for your response. It gave me some points to think on.

[Aidan]

Following on from Nekhbet's post:

http://www.learning-theories.com/classical...ing-pavlov.html