Sorry for a little hijack - but it's similar to your issues. We had Teagan since 8 weeks, and she had some socialization. She was generally fine with most people. However, she's hit 18 months, and is now very wary of people, and sometimes 'aggressive' towards other dogs/people when Shalini walks her.
I've suggested that for a while Teagan has a 'No Pet' policy until we get this under control, but Shalini is worried this might make her worse.
Rob, if she's doing anything that would even be PERCEIVED as aggression towards strangers, I would not let anyone walk up to say hello - simply out of respect and liability (I can't tell you how awful I felt the day Oscar jumped up within an inch of the face of a very nice man who just wanted to say hi... it's not worth risking someone getting hurt). Not to say you shouldn't be working on the issue - you should! - but it may be that other areas of your handling and control need to be worked on in order for this issue to get better. Your dog is ultimately deciding who SHE accepts, or doesn't, without Shalini's approval (I'm guessing she sees YOU as the pack leader, but she's testing Shalini - or does she do this when you walk her as well?)
With us, our leadership had slacked do to a big move and Oscar started to take advantage of that - including expressing his own dominance and stress through random aggression (dogs and people). Once we started to BOTH buckle down on ALL pack leadership and obedience AND severely limit and carefully control "stranger meetings", things started to get better. Positively reinforced OB gave him lots of opportunities to "be good" (which eased some of his stress, while reinforcing leadership again) - and of course correction for even slight aggression was warranted.
Also, make sure Shalini is not at all nervous of walking Teagan out of fear that she'll be aggressive - that will translate to the dog and weaken respect (this can be the hardest part - I know! but the dog will absolutely know when your confidence drops) - Teagan needs a very calm and firm person leading her right now.
teagan holds her ground, but will move her head and sort of start to bear her teeth like she's going to snarl or growl. usually the person stops trying to pet her. i'm also there saying 'it's okay' or some sort of friendly-promoting comment.
Your saying this to the dog? While she is acting like she does not want the person near her? Bearing her teeth?
I hope I misunderstood, since talking to the dog in a soothing manner or telling them it is okay in that state of mind is reinforcing unwanted behavior.
oh god no! you're right, i phrased that badly. usually when we met a person i say 'it's okay' (luc is usually greated first and i say it then) or 'good hello' or just speak in a friendly fashion. if (usually when) teagan pulls the 'i'm starting to bare my teeth' she gets a sharp 'hey!', 'no!' or i make a sharp noise, and a quick correction. she's never got past the 'starting to bear teeth' stage. the person (my landlady or spike's dad) has always stopped immediately.
we were on the subway last night going home from swimming, and i was watching her react as people got on (she was in between my legs, facing out). one group of people sat down, across from us w/one woman next to us. the man started asking 'aren't you scared of that dog? you aren't scared of her? come on, aren't you scared?' (seriously). teagan was sitting quietly, ignoring them (no aggressive body language at all) and the woman got up and moved, and the guy looked over at me with a 'heh heh' expression. it was the stupidest thing ever.
but i noticed - compared to when someone approaches her and tries to pet her (i think it's usually that i say 'let her sniff' and she starts to and they go 'great! now i'm going to pet her!'), which she does not like, she was fine with people sitting down next to us, standing in front of us, walking past us at fairly close quarters. none of them were going at her, which does happen when someone tries to pet her.
when i saw your post, i realized it did sound like i was teaching teagan some very very bad manners!
i don't think her reactions are fear-based - nothing else in her behaviour indicates that to me - i'm wondering if it's the same behaviour she displays with dogs - she'd better be approached w/an appropriate amount of respect and submission. i dunno....
I thank all for posting your experiences, you can always learn from others and you could find yourself in be in the same situation yourself one day.
Yes Carol I have been releasing him "ok" when he can be petted but I think I will take your advice and do this with people I know, that way I can control the situation a bit better. That way he can sniff get a quick pat and thats it, some people over stimulate him ( like my in-laws ) too much with high pitch baby talk and encouraging him to jump on them, then he turns into a little alligator.
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