Hi, my name is Kevin and I am a dog trainer. When it comes to Obedience, I have no problem. 2 days ago, my pitbull has experienced some problems with some stranger. She growled and barked at a cousin of mine who was telling me a story and was yelling. My dog reacted very badly to him, she growled and barked as she cowered away from him. Ever since she has been displaying fear aggression towards strangers who come into my house. For the first 2 months I had her she had not displayed any of these signs before.

She comes from a kennel and has been a kennel dog for the first 20 months of her life and is now 22 months old, so my guess is she lacked socialisation. I would like to fix this problem as quickly as possible. I love my dog very much and I would do anything to avoid her becoming a severe fear aggressive dog. She does the same thing you see these insecure small dogs do, she shakes, curls into a ball and growls while staring at the person from the corner of her eyes. Its quite sad to see a 70 lbs very muscular looking pitbull do this.

I have tried giving leash corrections but after doing it a couple times, Ive come to term that it only makes her more feaerful. I have tried taking out a toy to take her attention away from what she is scared of and it somewhat worked for a while.

What do you suggest could fix this problem? I am willing to put 24 hours a day into practicing any exercise. I love my dog with all my heart and it is KILLING me to watch my dog suffer like this. I just want what is best for her and to have a well balanced and happy dog.

PLEASE HELP !?

I have been thinking about confidence building through activities and exercises... I like Protection training and I am very good at it, as I said, I am a dog trainer. I think protection training would not only build confidence but also control to let my dog know that barking and growling is not a decision she can just take on her own. What do you guys suggest?

I'm not a trainer. first without distractions get the obed down, stop the corrections, that may make it worse, what worked for me was to turn everybody into hotdog dispensers. anytime somebody show up they got something yummy. when you start seeing the cues that the dog is starting to stress redirect the dog with obedience and play. If the hair is up and he is growling then you missed the subtle cues. start over later

 Quote: Kevin York

I have been thinking about confidence building through activities and exercises... I like Protection training and I am very good at it, as I said, I am a dog trainer. I think protection training would not only build confidence but also control to let my dog know that barking and growling is not a decision she can just take on her own. What do you guys suggest?

you don't bite train a nerve bag

got it

her obedience is already tip top with or without distraction. even when she shows fear towards a stranger she will still obey at a distance. only thing is she wont shut up.

I have tried to make the people she growls at give her food as well. She will go to them, eat their food then go back to a corner and cower some more, I have tried to give the strangers her favorite squeaky toy and that worked like magic, but as soon as the toy is gone, the fear is back. I even stepped on my ego and called a dog behaviorist and set an appointment for her to come to my house tomorrow. Do you have any other suggestions?

please, I am open to all your suggestions. I am a dog trainer but my dog behavior and psychology knowledge is somewhat limited.

 Quote: Kevin York

I have tried to make the people she growls at give her food as well. She will go to them, eat their food then go back to a corner and cower some more

I am neither a trainer nor a behaviorist but I think you need the people to disappear or keep moving with her once she has been successful in getting the treat and not growling or cowering. From your explanation; she's not ready for more interaction than that.....yet. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to overcoming a behavioral issue.

Agility is a fun sport to train not to mention physically exhausting for both of you. It might be worth looking into.

anybody else has had this problem before?