rangermom
Well-Known Member
Long story short, Betsy (turning 2) is fear aggressive. Not only does she not like strangers, but she will approach them herself and has snapped at them when they've tried to pet her.
She is amazing with her family members, but despite my interventions, she is getting worse with strangers.
We tried to do everything right. Pick out the pup that's social and not hiding in the corner after you meet her mother assuring yourself she is friendly as well. Bring home no less than 8 weeks old. Socialize, socialize, and socialize some more and never stop socializing. Make sure she has no bad experiences with strangers. Attend dog obedience class. Use positive reinforcement techniques. At first sign of a problem, visit ridiculously expensive dog behaviorist. Buy calming pheromone spray and apply to doggie three times daily.
Check!
She's not getting any better and as the behaviorist predicted, she is getting worse. Today I realized I am going to have to walk her with a muzzle because she went after a non threatening woman that was 20 feet away from her.
This is so upsetting. I thought I would have this lovely lump of a dog, not one that I'm worried is going to bite someone!
Any other suggestions that I haven't tried yet?!?!?!
She is amazing with her family members, but despite my interventions, she is getting worse with strangers.
We tried to do everything right. Pick out the pup that's social and not hiding in the corner after you meet her mother assuring yourself she is friendly as well. Bring home no less than 8 weeks old. Socialize, socialize, and socialize some more and never stop socializing. Make sure she has no bad experiences with strangers. Attend dog obedience class. Use positive reinforcement techniques. At first sign of a problem, visit ridiculously expensive dog behaviorist. Buy calming pheromone spray and apply to doggie three times daily.
Check!
She's not getting any better and as the behaviorist predicted, she is getting worse. Today I realized I am going to have to walk her with a muzzle because she went after a non threatening woman that was 20 feet away from her.
This is so upsetting. I thought I would have this lovely lump of a dog, not one that I'm worried is going to bite someone!
Any other suggestions that I haven't tried yet?!?!?!