stranger aggression

can you share your strategies for getting a protective pup to relax and learn the difference between harmless strangers and threatening ones?

our girl is all belly rubs and kisses @ home, and even having company over is easy enough to deal with because she has the chance to see that we're talking happily with our guests, hugging, kissing, etc.

but out on walks or when we take her places, she gets nervous about people she hasn't had the chance to check out and can be really scary. she makes it look like we're training a guard dog; we're not...not even close. she's been socialized like crazy but the stranger aggression has not let up.

Re: stranger aggression

Unless you're willing to do a lot of research yourself and employ friends to help out, I'd suggest working with a trainer that specializes in fear aggression.

If you can put in all the work yourself, get a book called The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell. There's a chapter dedicated to this subject and how to combat it - mostly by having strangers approach your dog the right way, and rewarding it with treats or praise but only when it reacts the way you want it to. You have to learn the signs of fear and anxiousness before you get there though. Even something as minuscule in how the dog's mouth looks can give you signs!

Re: stranger aggression

thanks! we did start to look into training places, but i know a lot of them use shock collars and other forms of punishment. she has such a sweet disposition otherwise that i'm afraid we'll, like, ruin her...if that makes sense.

it's just frustrating because she seems to be hardwired this way. we've worked so hard on socialization.

Re: stranger aggression

Makes total sense to me, I'm generally against negative reinforcement, especially for fearful dogs. I keep suggesting this guy, hoping someone will try him out because I like his philosophy: http://gooddogbraddog.com/. I don't have a need for a trainer, or I would try him myself.

Just remember, your dog isn't "bad". She just has some issues she has to work through, and you need to help her do that. Don't underestimate her and assume she can't change, or you're just making excuses for behavior that doesn't have to continue. You can both do it with dedication and work.

Message edited 11/11/2010 9:37:20 AM.

Re: stranger aggression

no advice but my rescue is this way...she is the sweetest thing, but is 14lbs of killer dog if she doesn't know you or you don't come over that often...I always let people know she is a rescue and that they need to stop and let her approach them...then she ends up wagging her tail or snuggling in their lap...it's like she needs them to know she can kick some a$$ just incase. Good luck!