I have a 1.5 year old mutt (think Malamute & German Shepard cross, but not sure). About a year ago, I saw him on the street, he was extremely skinny, had cuts all over him, and very scared. I took him to the vets, then to a shelter because my vet told me I had to let them check him out and decide if I was able to keep him. We were both pretty sure it was animal abuse, not just a wild dog. He was very sweet with both of us.

I work at a school, and took him with me one night, and one of my co-workers (also a dog person) tried to pet him. He immediately growled at her. I removed him from the situation, made him focus on me, and then began to do some walking around her, ignoring her. I then asked if she would sit down (thinking he felt threatened) and give him a treat. He was fine, he took it, wagged his tail, and licked her toes. I thought it was a fluke. Then a little bit later that night, she poked her head in again and he began growling. I shushed him, made him lie down (submissive). And worked with him some more. Luckily she doesn't mind helping me and is not afraid.

The odd thing about his behavior is he is fine with other people. She has never yelled at him, or done anything. He does not take an aggressive stance when he acts this way. He leans AWAY from her, and comes close to me. From his behavior, I would say he is scared. I know that scared dogs can be even worse than aggressive dogs because they are less predictable and can be more prone to bite out of fear. Aggressive dogs will rely more on the body language and signs to deter the offender, biting is a last resort. I have told her not to approach him (ignore him), but if he approaches her to give him a treat. We have now done this several times, and have to go through the same ordeal each time.

Any other suggestions of what I should do? I have rescued all my animals, and volunteer at the shelter to help the dogs with behavioral issues. I have never met a dog that did not get better.

Given your dogs jaded past or suspicion of it, is it possible that there is something about this person that reminds him of an abuser, the same perfume, a similar facial feature or hair colour or length? Unfortunately you may never find out if this is the case.

I would have imagined what you doing would slowly have an effect, it sounds like you are trying to deal with it the way I would first try as well.

I know often we as pet owners can be real quick to jump over to the assistance of animal behavourists etc, but in this instance maybe it is worth a consideration, with you and your friend so an outside party with a bit of experience too can see the situation and your dogs reaction, they may very well see it a little differently to you from a less emotionally driven perspective.

Hi -
I have a very similar situation except that my 1 1/2 year old shepherd was not abused and has been with us since he was 7 weeks.
He also shows bizarre aggression. For instance he sometimes fixates on people who are not threatening at all, like my 88 year old grandma and 8-9 year olds who aren't even looking at him.
We have tried all the training out there and have been dog owners ourselves for many years.
Please let me know of anything you find that works.

[german sheep]

@chocolatepony
maybe your dog had made some bad experiences with a person, so that your colleague reminds him to the one who mistreated him.

The other possibility is that he accepts you as his own and shows this person that you are his ressource. What he has he must controll.

How is his behaviour at home?
Does he follows yu a lot? What is his habit, when the doorbell rings?
Is he straining on the leash?
And how is it when you meet another dog?

@puppymama
Old people and children are acting in a special way. The movement is different and maybe this frightens your dog.

Important for a good training is that you find the cause of its behaviour and not train the symptom, that can not work.
Symptoms are what you can see, what the dog shows you. But then you have to find a way to correct the dog what means that it is against the dog. What can I do against it.
When you are working at the cause, you must realize and find a way so there is no need for the dog to act the way it did before. What can I do to help the dog.

How is it by you when in contact with other dogs, how does it behave then?

LG
gs

I agree, old people and children do move in a different way.
He is great with other dogs at the dog park, he is never the most dominant dog.
I have noticed that he often reacts aggressively to people who are lacking in confidence. We are slowly trying to work on this but its a slow process.
What I am worried about is when will I know that he is reliable and won't act aggressively? I feel like I can never trust him now that we have had some problems.
I think I need to find some training/games that will build his confidence and his confidence in me as a leader.
Any ideas?

Something similar has happened to me and I hope someone can shed some light on this - my heart is sick over this.

My 7 year old Shephard-cross whom we've had for 6 years and is a pet to our 18, 14 and 2 year old kids, snapped at, and scratched a little girl who asked to pet him. She is getting stitches at the hospital.

My 14 year old daughter was walking him and made him sit and settle first and had a firm grip on him but he barked and lunged and the little girl was scratched by his long claws.

He last had his rabies shots in 2006 - he is traumatized by vets and he is never at an off leash park, or in contact with wild animals or even other dogs - he is a house pet who only goes out for walks in the neighbourhood, leashed and with a gentle leader. I know the law requires annual shots and I know I am liable and at fault for not doing so.

My concern is for this poor little girl and for any fear of dogs she develops as a result.

Why would he behave in this manner?

As a household pet, he is wonderful, tolerant, actually quite a "suck", and quite obedient. What can I do? Should I worry about his interacting with my toddler? When my toddler (who has been and is constantly being trained how to interact with him and what is and is not acceptable) does something he doesn't like, he walks away.

I don't know what to think. Please help.

Thank you.

[Smartdogs]

Dog becomes aggressive to certain people out of fear

Possible Approach.
First prevent any uncontrolled exposure to strangers.

Teach the dog a "sit and watch me" command or, alternatively, have him remain in a relaxed down-stay position. Reward the dog's compliance with food treats and/or petting and warm praise.

Introduce a mildly fear-inducing person at a distance. Reward the dog for remaining calm. As long as the dog remains relaxed, ask the person to move a little closer, and repeat the exercise.

If the dog is resistant to remaining still, an alternative strategy is to have the person stand still while you walk the dog around the person in progressively decreasing circles (or vice versa)... again, praising and rewarding the dog for composure and compliance.

If the dog remains calm when the person is close by him, the person can then be asked to drop a treat for the dog. If the dog consumes the treat, this is an indication that he is fairly relaxed. Later the person can hold out a treat in his hand and see if the dog has the confidence to take it. The golden rule is: NEVER force the issue. Allow things to proceed at their own pace.

If the dog cannot maintain a controlled sit or down, and cannot focus on the owner because he is tense, barking, or lunging at the stranger, then the owner should return to an earlier phase of training.

[german sheep]

Hello Trejan's mom,

every dog has a individual distance. This begins from the nose by (sorry I have to tell you in meter) 0,70 Meter up to 2,50 Meter, 3inches - 8feet.

To go below this limit, the dog may show a reaction like you told us in your post.
A child or anyone else should never go towards the dog. If somebody wants to stroke the dog, they must understand that the dog must make the first contact
As long as the dog stands frontal to the person, the dog shows definitily that he does not wish to be stroked, because he shows his "weapons" to the stranger. Only when he stands sidewards with a contact to the legs you are allowed to touch. With this it shows the disposition for further contact, it shows not his weapons but his vulnerable side.

From a dog's point of view a child is never a fully serious leader and therefore must be controlled by the dog. So when the dog sees the child as its resource (everything important for the dog or everything it needs to survive) the dog had to react the way it did because he had to fear that somebody would touch/injure his resource.

LG
gs