April 28, 2011
We adopted a 13 year old Husky X GSD named Cassie. She has recently been showing signs of fear aggression. Do you think she will be manageable?
Full Question:
Dear Ed,One month ago my husband and I adopted a spayed female 13 year old husky/shepard mix named Cassie. We adopted her from a rescue society who pulled her from a high kill shelter. In her foster home where she was for 5 days, she co-existed with 2 other dogs and 2 young children. She has been cleared by our Vet of any physical problems other than cataracts and some arthritis.
After 2 weeks of being with us she clearly bonded and now is showing signs of fear aggression. She growls at anyone who comes near the apartment and tried to bite a friend who reached out for her to sniff her hand. She also resists being walked by my husband if it means leaving my side, but will go willingly if I am there. We consulted with a behaviorist who we are considering hiring to help us train her. The behaviorist recommends training her with an electric remote collar. We realize that this dog will forever have the potential to bite and that we are responsible for this not to happen. However, the behaviorist feels that with the basic obedience training (which she clearly never got from a previous owner) and with the remote collar training, Cassie's behavior can improve. My questions are, is this the same training method that you would recommend and have you seen dogs with fear aggression improve so that it is manageable?
Thanks for your time,
Michele
Ed's Answer:
My hat is off to you. I get a lot of emails. Way, way, way, more than most people can imagine. But I have never had an email from someone who adopted a 13 year old dog from a rescue.
Try and put yourself in the mind of this old dog. She knew she was in a bad place – in her mind the strangers she meets are going to take her to another bad place. You are like an angel to her.
What you need to do is not let anyone near this dog. There is no need for strangers to pet the dog. None at all. Dogs are pack animals – strangers are not part of the dog's pack, and in fact strangers are dangerous. She is trying to tell you this.
Do not allow the dog to be near other dogs – the same thing applies. Read my article on DOG PARKS.
If this were my dog, I would form a bond with it, I would have a dog crate and when people came over I would put the dog in the crate. I would not allow people to pet it or even go near it. If a strange dog approached on a walk I would step between the dog and the strange dog and warn it to stay away.
I wrote an article titled DEALING WITH THE DOMINANT DOG – your dog is not dominant but you should read it so you have a better understanding on pack behavior and how dogs think. The average person does not understand pack/rank issues.
Good luck to you and the world needs more people like you.
Try and put yourself in the mind of this old dog. She knew she was in a bad place – in her mind the strangers she meets are going to take her to another bad place. You are like an angel to her.
What you need to do is not let anyone near this dog. There is no need for strangers to pet the dog. None at all. Dogs are pack animals – strangers are not part of the dog's pack, and in fact strangers are dangerous. She is trying to tell you this.
Do not allow the dog to be near other dogs – the same thing applies. Read my article on DOG PARKS.
If this were my dog, I would form a bond with it, I would have a dog crate and when people came over I would put the dog in the crate. I would not allow people to pet it or even go near it. If a strange dog approached on a walk I would step between the dog and the strange dog and warn it to stay away.
I wrote an article titled DEALING WITH THE DOMINANT DOG – your dog is not dominant but you should read it so you have a better understanding on pack behavior and how dogs think. The average person does not understand pack/rank issues.
Good luck to you and the world needs more people like you.
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