Too protective?

[coolhand]

Hi all,

I haven't written in awhile and now I'm back for some advice. I'm a foster home for a local boxer rescue group and am now fostering a 3 year old female white boxer. She lived with the same owner for her entire life until she was given up to a boxer rescue. She was adopted by a family that loved her but returned her after 3 days because she would bark, growl, and jump at some people when they would walk her. She is absolutely perfect in the house though...mellow, sweet, gentle with their 15 month old and other neighborhood children, and very nice to strangers. The problem comes when she's outside. I have seen this behavior from her once today(I got her yesterday). A lady was walking towards me and I led Powder(that's her name) to the side of the sidewalk and told her to sit. She sat. I praised her and she behaved. The lady stopped to ask what type of dog she was and as I was answering, Powder started growling and pulled at the leash towards the lady. I corrected her by pulling on the leash and making her sit. I've dealt with dog aggressive dogs before but Powder's behavior worries me especially with all the dog attacks that have been reported lately.

I'd greatly appreciate any advice and support for this dog who is absolutely wonderful in the house. I've always been the type of person that believed in positive reinforcement only (clicker training, treats, praise, etc.), but I'm starting think that I might have to use a pinch coller or something to get it across to her that this behavior is VERY unexeptable. The thing is, when the previous owner handed the dog over to me, she didn't show any of this aggression towards me. I've introduced her to my roommate and a friend in my house with no problem at all. Thanks in advance to any help you guys can provide.


Tim

 

[jesterbong]

OK just some things here

Maybe, she was jealous of that lady, since your attention was with someone else. Or, it was that time of the month for or both of them, I know, gross, but animals are like this at that time of the month. Even male dogs. Yes its true.
:confused: But, I know from our boxer, he is very jealous of my husband and I kissing or talking, or even on the phone, he barks-whimps-toss the ball in the air- gets into things that are off limits. Just like Children, they need attention 24-7, and :p crave the attention, even if its yelling..... Just work with her, if she doesn't care for someone, don't force her.. Just like us we like some people and some we don't!
Good luck! Kimmi

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

My 2 year old adopted girl, Susie, had the same issues when I got her. She would growl, lunge and snap at mostly men on the street, and some women. If anyone was carrying anything in their hands, she went absolutely WILD.

I think you handled the situation very well. And, I think this is also the way to continue handling this situation.

The dog is afraid. She's protecting you and herself with this behavior and it will pass. It took about 1.5 months for me to calm Susie down and have pleasant walks and for her to stop her "fear behaviors" of lunging, snapping and barking at everyone. She did growl and bark at me when I went to pick her up. But, I got down on her level, approached her from her side (not face to face and I did NOT look her in the eyes), let her sniff my hand (which had a treat in it) and gave her a treat. She calmed down almost immediately with me and wiggled and wiggled after I gave her the treat and began kissing me wildly and non-stop. Once her fear subsided, she was incredibly loveable.

Once your dog is in a sit/stay and a stranger approaches, have the stranger approach the dog from the side of the dog. If they look at the dog's face, have them make BIG EXAGGERATED blinking with their eyes. This tells the dog that they are not a threat to them. Staring at their eyes is threatening.

Also, if you carry treats, have the stranger offer a treat in a closed hand (again, from the dog's side). If the dog sniffs the hand, the open it and give the dog praise and the treat. Then I'm sure Powder will be more accepting of the stranger.

With persistence, consistency and patience, you WILL get through this.

I remember my neighbor in NY when I got Susie. She was so fond of Maggie and loved greeting her daily on the street on our walks and petting her and loving her. But she was scared to death of Susie because of Susie's aggressive behavior. Then about a month later, we were walking and Susie was much better about her problem and my neighbor was stopped and she was actually petting Susie and she remarked that Susie was NOT THE SAME DOG she was a month prior. She congratulated me, but it was really SUSIE who did all the hard work. I was just there to show her how.

Give it more time and more of the obvious love and patience that you have thus far and I know this will work out. It DOES take some time. Now Susie is just fine and hasn't so much as growled at a stranger in a long, long time. We're still working on some of her more aggressive behaviors with other dogs, but that is coming along as well.

Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[coolhand]

Thanks!

Dan and Kimmi,

Thanks for the advice! I haven't dealt with this behavior before and its nice to hear from people that have. I'm taking Powder down to a professional trainer tomorrow to see what he thinks the best way is to train her. She's the most loving and gentle dog in the house and she does listen well. I'm growing more confident that this is something she will overcome. Thanks again!


Tim