Yeah Amy, I would have no contact with other dogs. One thing I would guess is that those interactions arent all positive and rewarding so she's trying to figure out every dog she sees instead of listening to you.

Thank you.

I agree with Aaron....I don't let my dogs play with other dogs.

The protection wasn't for her attacking other dogs..it was to protect her if a dog attacks you.

I feel that she doesn't trust your leadership skills, and thus doesn't trust that you can keep the two of you safe.
This has to be proven on a case by case basis to her...hence her calming down after talking to the person.

I would get the pack leadership video for sure and start there.
It goes into the social isolation/boot camp techniques I was referring to.

Thanks, Aaron -- Well, honestly I think the main reason I let my dog play with other dogs is exercise. This dog has a lot of energy. She is constantly asking me to play with her (i work from home). She is at least 5 but very puppy-like - enjoying play. If she is around other dogs, she will tire out. She will retrieve in water, so that is one way I can get her exercise without other dogs around, but she does not retrieve on land. I guess I could try to teach her that. Also, as I mentioned, it is less stressful for me to walk her someplace with a lot of dogs as she is better behaved.

I have tried classes for various sports with her, as she is so athletic, but she is extremely fearful of unfamiliar humans and refuses to do anything in class situations. I think she was feral or semi-feral before rescue.

amy

Okay, thank you Steve and Willie for the additional comments. I will try no interaction with other dogs. I would definitely love for her to trust me to determine who is safe and who is not (dog - she does that with humans). I think she was feral or semi-feral, she is extremely independent, so that all makes sense to me.

I will check out the video you recommend.

Thank you!
amy

Thanks, Aaron. I actually took her for a bike ride for the first time yesterday (on leash). She was so focused on the bike that she didn't pay attention to anything else. That seemed great. That said, it was a relatively short ride and we didn't encounter that many distractions, but she learned my commands for turning and stopping. I was worried about that much running on pavement. Do you think it is safe for a dog? Is there a guideline about how much running on pavement is safe for joints?

amy

 Quote:

I would definitely love for her to trust me to determine who is safe and who is not (dog - she does that with humans) .

Are you saying that she trusts you to decide who is a safe human?
OR are you saying that she doesn't trust you to decide who is a safe human?
If its the latter, then you need to be the one deciding who is a safe human.
She isn't qualified to do that.
If you are letting her do that, or giving her the impression that you need her to do that, it will undermine your leadership role with her.
The Alpha protects the others...the Alpha decides who will fight when.....
She needs to feel that you are in total control and will keep her safe.

It's a hard thing for people unfamiliar to the true drives of a dog, and unfamiliar as to how Personal Protection dogs work to understand.......I know it was confusing to me.
Go to the main site and read the pack leadership e-book...also anything on PPD.

Sorry if i wasn't clear. I believe she does trust me to decide about humans. She will bark at humans coming to the house but stops right away if I tell her to and does not approach a new human uninvited. She is scared of new people and zero aggression when it comes to people. What a relief. Now my other dog, well that is another story for another day :-).

amy

 Quote:

She is scared of new people and zero aggression when it comes to people. What a relief. Now my other dog, well that is another story for another day :-).

In my opinion this indicates that she isn't confident that you will protect her....otherwise she wouldn't be afraid....she might get scared momentarily, but not stay that way.

Also you seem to have another pack member that doesn't view you as the total leader ans feels that he can make his/her own decisions.

That will add to the problem.

Do they have free run of the house together?

Hi Willie: Yes, they have run of the house. My other dog is senior and not very mobile at this point. I work from home and they mostly just sit by my desk most of the day. I have a very small home so they are never very far from me.

My dog I originally wrote about (with dog aggression) was probably feral or semi-feral. It took her months just to willingly come out of her crate, food was never a motivator. She would not relieve herself in front of people -- which meant really long walks in the beginning. She has hiding spots in the yard and house. It was maybe a year before she would eat if someone was in the same room as her. She still does not like to drink water if anyone is in the same room as her and I have had her four years now. She is not fearful of me, or with people with whom she has regular interaction, but she is shy with new people. She has come light years in the last four years and is still evolving. People who have met her are shocked now when she willingly comes near them.

So, it is probably very true that she is not confident I will protect her but we continue to build that trust, I hope. I have ordered the video you recommended.

amy