I could really use some advice on this one.

Background
We have an 18-month old Yellow Lab that has been a good companion and friendly to all. We have 3 kids and a big fenced yard. The dog and kids play outside a lot, and occasionally kids from the neighborhood will jump the fence to play with my kids as well as the dog. The dog has always been happy to have someone come over to throw the ball. Our Lab has no history of aggression and has been well behaved. She has been crated since she first came home.

The Trip to the Pound
We left for a vacation in Mexico two weeks ago. My father, who lives with us, took care of the dog. Two days after we left, one of the fence gates blew open, and the dog got out. (We have since repaired the fence, so this will not happen again.) The dog crossed the street and thankfully went straight to the police station. They picked up the dog and took her to the pound. She was at the local pound for about 48 hours. When my father went to pick her up, he said she was behaving in a way he had never seen. He said she was very aggressive and was barking and snarling constantly. When she recognized it was him, then she calmed and went home. We returned home and heard the story and were thankful that everything was okay.

The Problem
Since our return home, her behavior has definitely changed. She now barks constantly if a car approaches the driveway, or if she sees a person next door. Yesterday, we had an installer come over and I had to crate the dog because of her behavior. She was barking and very aggressive when he came to the door and she barked and growled the entire time he was in the house (about an hour). In the past she was always friendly to people that came over, usually bringing them toys to play with her. Today, the community service officer that picked her up came to check on her and make sure her shots were current (which they are). Her aggression was bad and she barked and growled the entire time he was in the house. He commented that she wasn't the same dog he picked up. He said she went willingly into his truck and had even jumped in before he was able to open the crate. He said her demeanor when he picked her up was that of a very playful and happy lab. I asked if maybe she was mistreated or hurt while in the pound, he said no. The pound is small, 3 kennels and a little old retired officer that takes care of them. Also today, she was outside and when a neighbor teen approached the fence she charged and was barking at him. Normally she would have taken him a ball. She did listen to my commands and returned promptly to the house.

At this point I am not sure how to help my dog return to her previous good behavior. She is now occasionally timid and seems to act fearful of everyone, including me at times. Also, she seems to spend a lot of time in her crate by her choice. My wife and both noticed that over the past two evenings that she went into her crate rather than stay in the living room with us. I have tried to give her as much praise as possible and tell her it is okay. But I am not sure what else to do reverse this aggressive behavior.

Thank you for any advice you can provide.

Chad Myers

It seems that someone has mistreated/scared her and you probably won't find out who or how. Right? So now you deal with recovery.

First, just to cover everything, I'd go over her whole body and just make sure there is no injury, wound, etc.

Then, one thing that jumps out a little is "I have tried to give her as much praise as possible and tell her it is okay."

Are you maybe reinforcing fearful behavior by petting, caressing, soothing, etc., when she exhibits it? I try to be extremely calm and matter-of-fact in the face of fearful reactions, demonstrating that I am in charge, and that there is nothing to worry about, and that we will just move forward.

I like to build confidence in the face of timidity, and one great way is motivational training. I have worked with a few shy dogs and dogs with defense-aggression, and the best results (for me) have been with motivational ob work.

I think I would have her on a lead for now every time a stranger is coming into the house. I would require a sit (or other command) when the person came.

I'd also work on socializing again.

I hope others will address this too.

It does sound like she was traumatized- and just the smells of the place can have a profound affect. First, you left the house- so you were gone, and another person was at your place. Then a stranger picked her up, and put her in the pound. She is bound to be a bit worse for the wear. What's done is done, so you need to reassure her by being a good leader, and reinforcing good behaviour, and work on basic obedience. Don't let her get herself worked up. How long ago was this?

For the record, I have seen this in other dogs who eventually returned to their original self, it just took structure, and consistency.

Julie

One other thing- the going into the crate is a sign that she is feeling very insecure. The crate is her safety zone. All she knows is that nothing bad will happen to her if she stays there. I would recommend not molly coddling her, but rather ignore that behaviour and work with some obedience, and retrieving- get her mind out of her fears and into her normal environment.
Julie

Hi I was wondering if there was an update on how this dog is doing - I am having similar issues with my dog who spent 3 days at a "rescue" which did all of everything wrong. I now have her in professional training but she does bark agressively at men especially when they are on the other side of a fence. I hate to think of euthanizing this dog for what some morons may have done to her in a matter of 3 days. So if there is an update or if anyone has been in a similar situation I would appreciate hearing the outcomes! Kelly

I missed the beginning of this thread so I wanted to mention something. Canine Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) has been studied. It was first observed in labratory dogs after a traumatic event. One particular study involved labratory dogs after the facility burned down. CPTSD can be triggered by a single event - like spending a night in a noisy pound - or by ongoing event - like mistreatment over a period of time. The effects of a traumatic event or series of events may not be reversible. CPTSD triggered by a single event is typically less severe with the dog being more likely to fully "recover."

I'm also very interested in an update on the OP's dog!

I work with people with disability and behavioral issues. One of the things that people are finding out with PTSD and treatment is the sooner the intervention/therapy the better the outcome. Sadie did really well at her session today she pretty much ignored the trainer who she was vicously barking at 2 weeks ago at her evaluation. He even came up behind her and nudged her a couple of times (with a folded chair as a shield lol) and then with him and a dog. So I hope there is hope!!!