I, personally, don't feel a fear biter can be reformed unless it was a created problem and not genetics. You can learn to control the dog under ideal situations, but unless this is going to be a "yard dog" as Debbie said, I would never trust it outside of it's own little world. JMHO!

Bob, Absolutely agree with all you said! I don't think he can be "reformed" but do think that putting the fear of god in him about the sneaky biting can make him change his mind about that being a good idea <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />. This dog will require lots of control when strangers drive up for quite awhile, control the owner may not be willing to give, depends on how much time he wants to put in.....there are people that love dogs and there are people that LOVE dogs!

Deb

Thanks you guys, I really appreciate the input. I will print the last few posts and take them to Dan. I am not quite sure if they are going to be "consistent" with their training, but that is where I come in to help educate dog owners like we discussed on this list in other posts. I will keep you posted on this dogs progress. Even though I have my own training and work to do with my dogs, I will try and make time to help others so that I can feel that I did my part.
You guys are awesome.
Thanks again
Carol

You may want to re-think the e-collar for this at least for now. If the owner is hiding and out of site all the dog really knows is that when he approaches he's getting zapped... In this case it could actually increase his/her desire to bite the unsuspecting stranger possibly sooner. He really has no clue why he's getting corrected yet. i would venture to say that in 90% of the fear bitters i have seen, any type of physical correction has only worsened the situation.

Never meeting the dog it's hard to say, but I would recommend starting from the basics with socialization and desensitizing to the fear related with the behavior. keep in mind this is not an overnight process, no quick fixes with fear bitters. Your friend needs to figure out exactly what is causing the reaction and start from there. In the meantime the dog needs to be put up if there is even the slightest chance of him biting someone unprovoked, or it won’t be a choice about putting the dog down.

JMO

Good Luck,

Just to let all who gave advice on this post, REX is doing much better. Although we never found out what the issue was with their e-collar, my Tri-Tronic works great. He is not rushing people anymore but is watched carefully for any signs of aggression. He has a 12 x 20 kennel that he is in when no one is home. He has a crate in the kitchen and he is given play and excercise time with the adults. Just the attention alone has worked wonders. The owners have been working on being relaxed and calm when he does something inappropriate and praise like mad when he does something they approve of. They read the website and have bought some reading material. Although REX still has some "moments" they are getting less severe. I am still finding it hard to believe that he is changing, I though for sure it was a lost cause.
Thank you for all the input and it just goes to show, when you educate people about having a dog, whether it be a working dog or a pet, it is important to "follow the rules" of ownership and not let the dog "run the show".

Carol,

This is great news....doesn't it make you feel good that you were able to help. I applaud you and the owners! Good job!

Debbie