Question:

We have a 1 year old lab rescue that was rescued with 8 pups 5 died from malnutrition and I think maybe from other dogs-she was on the street.   She is a perfect dog smart etc. but is very fear aggressive with other dogs-she gets along with very small or young dogs but not others. She also does well at dohg beach (when loose) so we try to take her often.  We are looking for suggestions to help her get through this.  John and Laurie at

Response:

>We have a 1 year old lab rescue that was rescued with 8 pups 5 died from >malnutrition and I think maybe from other dogs-she was on the street.   >She is a perfect dog smart etc. but is very fear aggressive with other dogs-she >gets along with very small or young dogs but not others. She also does well at >dohg beach (when loose) so we try to take her often.  We are looking for >suggestions to help her get through this.  John and Laurie at

You’re asking a question that requires a lot of information and would be difficult to answer over the computer, regardless of anything else. Your post contains very little information.  There are too many things that need to be seen to really give you any specific advice. My suggestions would be to first, find a good behaviorist and have a few private lessons in obedience and dog behavior.  Then go to a group obedience class.The dog should be desenitized to the prescence of other dogs – associating other dogs with good things rather than bad. Your post suggests that when she is off-leash, there isn’t a problem. If this is the case, there is probably something that you are inadvertantly doing that intensifies her fearfulness, which leads to the aggression.  Dogs will often take cues on how to react to a situation from their people.  That means that you have to be aware of your body language as well as the dog and how that may affect her actions in different situations.  That’s why you should get a few private lessons before a group obedience class. Additionally, the dog needs to learn to trust you – trust that you won’t put her in a bad situation.  That is where the group obedience class comes in; she needs to learn to listen to you and doing that in a group situation around other dogs, she will learn to trust that nothing bad will happen when she listens to you. Dog FAQs: http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/

Response:

>We have a 1 year old lab rescue that was rescued with 8 pups 5 died from >malnutrition and I think maybe from other dogs-she was on the street.   >She is a perfect dog smart etc. but is very fear aggressive with other >dogs-she >gets along with very small or young dogs but not others. She also does well >at >dohg beach (when loose) so we try to take her often.  We are looking for >suggestions to help her get through this.

Unfortunately, you don’t know much about this dog’s prior history.  Perhaps she’s being protective of you while on leash, but doesn’t feel threatened while off lead.  Also, if you tighten up on the leash or act nervous when you anticipate a behavior eruption, you are sending signals to your dog.  She had to be protective of her pups with larger dogs, hence her aggression towards them. You should enroll her in an obedience class with a behaviorist, not just an "average" dog trainer.  A behaviorist can help you determine the causation and prescribe a rehabilitative program.  A few private sessions will probably be necessary at first, for you to gain handling knowledge, then a group class would be in order. This will help to de-sensitize her to other dogs – puppy or adult. If you need further assistance, please email me privately. P.D. Jackson – Canine Behaviorist Canine Behavioral Services http://members.aol.com/K9Behavior/index.html Publisher of "Dog Bytes" – a canine training/behavior/dog tips newsletter

Response:

>We have a 1 year old lab rescue that was rescued with 8 pups 5 died from >malnutrition and I think maybe from other dogs-she was on the street.   >She is a perfect dog smart etc. but is very fear aggressive with other >dogs-she >gets along with very small or young dogs but not others. She also does well >at >dohg beach (when loose) so we try to take her often.  We are looking for >suggestions to help her get through this.

This is NOT fear aggression.  It sounds more like she’s being protective.  Does she lunge out at dogs that approach her with her tail and ears high, or does she lower her tail and ears, retreating and barking/snarling? Big difference in treatment for each diagnosis.  Contact me privately for more help, if you like. P.D. Jackson – Canine Behaviorist Canine Behavioral Services http://members.aol.com/K9Behavior/index.html Publisher of "Dog Bytes" – a canine training/behavior/dog tips newsletter

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