Hi Melissa:
It’s always great to hear that a pup like this has made it out.
I’m no expert but I have dealt with a fair amount of fear in dogs and from you’re describing, there a good chance Cupid may have fell a little short in the gene pool. On top of whatever landed her at the shelter, she’s sounds like one scared girl right now.
Growling at your mother, not accepting your brother/father, the old man, company, other dogs – growling, lunging and barking with teeth and hackles. To me, she’s got some very clear communication going on that needs to be listened to.
Dogs with an insecure temperament that are continually being overwhelmed by, what they perceive as threats, see only one choice – to protect themselves. This quickly starts turning into offensive attacks as they become more comfortable in what they feel must happen (has been successful for them).
Upon taking her to my family the NEXT DAY from the shelter. She growls at my mother from my car
I’m not sure why you capitalized “next day” here but after reading your post, and knowing what you are dealing with, this was probably one of the worst things you could have done. When a dog like this comes to me, the first thing I do is remove all outside contact/stimulation.
I create a padded white “bubble” and remove all straight jackets (collars, leashes, muzzles). They get an opportunity to live fear and anxiety free, in a secure environment, with nothing to react to except the food in a bowl, if they’re willing to eat. This lack of stimuli will start to bring them around, initiating small interactions – it may be within the first day as they settle in or it may be a few weeks.
These dogs generally don’t mind “alone” time but once they start to get a feel for their new environment and get to know you, the fear starts to subside (not living 24/7 on adrenaline) and they must be adequately exercised.
Dogs like this need a strict management system, one that is fair and meets their needs. Any feelings of guilt you may be having (going to work all day) she is picking up on as something being wrong, creating a kind of separation anxiety.
I also work full time but I don’t feel guilty as I march confidently out that door. I’m up at 4:30 every morning. I take the boys out for their perimeter search (we do poop patrol and play along the way); I get their meals ready and buckle up the two young ones for their 5:30 bike ride with hubby. I know my boys needs have been met and now it’s their job to rest and wait patiently until I get home.
She was attentive and affectionate to me and learned commands quickly.
The “was” in this sentence tells me that things are getting worse. As fearful as dogs like this are, they are dogs and incredibly in tune with survival strategies. They will choose a human to put their trust in.
she and I bonded immediately.
It’s what you do with that trust that has the ability to set the wheels in motion for long, stable, healthy life together. An attempt at a few quick fixes will quickly wear down that trust and increase the behavioral issues. Immediately introducing her to everybody and their dog was incredibly overwhelming, the growling, lunging, teeth and hackles are no surprise.
She’s on her own, the human she chose is exposing her to the same terrifying experiences she has come across all her life. Not someone to be trusted.
One night I tossed and turned quickly and she came over (the quickest I have seen her move) with her nose in front of my nose, pinned me down, mouth closed, smelling me.
This is not a relaxed dog that trusts her leader. In fact, there’s so little trust that the tables are turning and that initial bond is eroding to a point where you are also being seen as a threat.
I was scared that one day I was not going to be strong enough to hold her.
As people have mentioned, this is a very serious situation. One that yank and crank obedience trainers will only make worse. My recommendation would be to get her in a home with someone that has dealt with this type of fear aggression or find someone capable that can guide you through the painstakingly slow steps required to rehabilitate and live with a dog like this.
It’s a life time of work and she will never meet the vision people have of “the average family pet”. Once that bond has solidified though, I’ve never found more rewarding work or the devoted loyalty that comes from a dog like this.
I wish you the best of luck. Please the make the right choices for all involved.
Re: Need strong correction. Which is best
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