Gina,Dont give up,listen to Uncle Lou,what he has told you is right and I know it works and I know Lou is one of the best,if you want to cure your dog,mail Lou privately he will I am sure do all he can to help you.

Lou describes how he has worked with this kind of dog with an e-collar, and how he's seen an immediate change in the dog's behavior. I agree that a good trainer and an e-collar can do a lot to get the behavior under control. But it's like putting a bandage on the problem. If the dog is aggressive due to weak nerves, it will never change the temperament. Like a muzzle, you aren't going to have an e-collar on the dog 24/7. My Sheltie is so fearful, he's often been a danger to himself. I've worked with him with an e-collar much the way Lou described, and he really has gotten control of his fears to a large degree. He'll allow someone to pet him if he's put on a stay. He'll walk over a manhole, and even sit on it if I make him. He'll walk around shopping carts, and he won't run as far when a kid comes along with a skate board. And working with him for a half hour like this could look like I'd performed a miracle. Because I've worked so hard on socializing him, he's come a long way, and will even go right up to someone he's seen before as long as they don't push him. But that fearfulness never completely goes away. The difference is he's not a danger to anybody. His reactions are strictly "flight", not "fight". With a dog who is fear aggressive it's another story. You just have to decide by about a year and a half old, whether you can live with a dog who could hurt someone any time, when least expected. Living circumstances and knowing whether you can keep others safe from the dog may be the determining factor. So socialize and give the puppy every chance, but in the long run, a time will come for an ultimate decision.

Sharon,I disagree with you comment about it being like a bandage,used properly the Ecollar can be used to condition the dog against what it fears,not mask the problem.
Most dogs that are fear aggressive can be conditioned with the collar and usually can be completely cured of their fears and phobias

Paul,

That's why I said it's worth the effort. If the problem is environmental, then the e-collar and other motivational methods can help the dog overcome his fears. But if the dog is bred with really weak nerves, then I'm very skeptical the fears can be overcome.

Sharon,
If the dog is a head case then nothing is going to cure it and this needs to be decided but the use of a collar will soon determine as to if the dog is curable and being a softy at heart,I would give it a damn good try before I gave up.
I currently have a hyperactive rottie,not nervous but a complete fruitcake,after 20 minutes with a collar the dog was really interested in learning and is now proving to be a first rate dog.

Paul

I totally agree and am all for the e-collar and making every effort to find out where the dog stands. Your Rottweiler is a perfect example of why proper use of an e-collar is so great. They enjoy learning with it. And they learn incredibly fast. Oh man, don't even get me started, LOL!

Sharon,
If only we could convince the doubters who have never even tried one.

Hi Gina,
Thanks for replying to my post and not reviling me !
I guess I come from another perspective re dogs, I had two other dogs before I got Linda, I shot both of them as they werent what I wanted even though I had put thousands of dollars into both of them.

I wouldnt pass onto someone else a dog that I myself wouldnt want. Maybe I misshandled them and thats why they werent good for me, or maybe they were just crap dogs.

A dog to me is primarily, at least in the begining a utilitarian tool. Once they demonstrate they have the goods then I allow myself to become emotionally attached.

I stand by what I said though, once youve had a well bred smart corageous dog yould never bother with second rate material.

I wish you well with your pup.

Brendan,

You are exactly the type of person who should never be allowed to own an animal. To shoot 2 dogs just because they weren't what you wanted is downright appalling. To get on a forum and brag about it is even worse.

Dogs are not objects. They are living creatures who think and feel. They are not possessions that can be treated inhumanely and abused just because that don't act exactly they way you want them to. Do you think dogs come out of a box that way?? It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to have a dog that will live up to its true potential.

And your statement that "once youve had a well bred smart corageous dog yould never bother with second rate material" is not true either. I have an EXTREMELY well bred German Shepherd, but I also own one with very weak nerves that is people aggressive. I would not give up either of them for the world. All animals deserve to be treated humanely regardless of what problems they may have. If you couldn't handle the dogs you had, you should have either had them humanely put to sleep or found them appropriate homes. Obviously, you were too lazy to do either. People like you have absolutely no business being around animals.

You should be ashamed of yourself....if not for shooting these 2 poor dogs, then at least for getting on a forum and bragging about it. Trust me, Brendan, statements like these do not make you look cool. I guess this is to be expected of you though. All your posts seem to be aimed at seeing how many people you can irritate.

Good Lord, what do you mean they weren't what you wanted? Were they fear aggressive? even so, they should have been put down humanely and not shot. That is sick. I have a dog who is currently absolutely great but he has some nerve issues with men. That does not mean he needs to be shot. He is great otherwise. I did have a female GSD that was extremely aggressive and went after kids. I tried to keep her away from people but after she tore through the screen door to bite a kid I had her put to sleep. There should never be a reasons to shoot a dog. Not this day and age. Maybe when you get old and sick someone should take you out in the backyard and shoot you.