My new dog is very nervous around other dogs and tries to attack them. How do you suggest I try to socialize her with other dogs? Is it possible? Would that help or is this some issue from her past that will haunt her forever? What do you suggest?

Hello,

We recently purchased a Rhodesian Ridgeback adult female dog through the RR Rescue in our area. She is 4 yrs old, and had one owner before us, and was not socialized well and crated a lot. That's what we know. She was extremely skittish at first but is no longer afraid of us, and is more comfortable every day. She is not at all aggressive toward us or people, or our young children. She is either shy ? or very sweet and curious. She is very smart and is training well. However, my problem is she is very nervous around other dogs. When family members have come over with their dogs, she has repeatedly tried to attack the dog. Not immediately but pretty soon. She is very nervous. However, on a leash she lets me pull her back but this is still not ideal.

I have been working with her myself training her. She had no training and can now sit, stay, come and lie down. How do you suggest I try to socialize her with other dogs? Is it possible? I keep her on a leash when around any dogs because I don't know what she'll do, and with her size, she could certainly hurt another dog. I read about the importance of being a pack leader. Would that help or is this some issue from her past that will haunt her forever? What do you suggest?

Thanks!