All,
Thanks for your quick responses! I've been lurking for a bit on this forum, but really want to fix this problem once and for all. I apologize for the long response, but want to address everything.
First, let me make it clear that I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT, want to take her around other dogs and try to socialize her the way that CM does. I am not what I consider to be an experienced handler for these types of situations and putting a neighborhood dog in a meet & greet situation is a recipe for disaster. This is the reason for the post to see what alternatives are out there to "desensitize" her and control her behavior.
I would also like to clarify that the place I took her is a very wide open field, about 6 football fields big and borders up to the lake. No trees so really wide open and very visible. I live in the Cleveland OH area, it is cold here, been snowing, was the middle of a work day with only 1 other car in the lot. I do not let her on a flexi where there are others in close proximity. If we do see someone else, especially a dog, we move away to where she is comfortable with the distance and will not react. We were pretty far away from this other person and dog and just enjoying the outside when this dog came toward us. Not that this makes what happened any different, but just to place it in the proper setting.
I haven't made it up to the store yet but do plan on getting a long lead. My experience with the flexi and the true lack of control it gives was really apparent in this last incident. I typically walk her either on a traffic or a 6 foot lead. I will also look into the DD collar and video. Thanks for the suggestion.
Let me try to fill in some of the background and answer the questions posed. Have had Sasha since she was a puppy. She is 2 1/2 years old. She has avoided people since she was a pup,
even little kids with treats, as well as other dogs. We did try to socialize her like we have done with our other dogs (3 cattle dogs, 1 corgi), but with little success. As she got older, we have just "dealt" with it, walks late at night when no one is around and just kept her inside to avoid any confrontation. She is fantastic with the family, my kids and the other dogs. We do not tolerate aggression between our dogs at home. She is actually a big baby with people she knows.
With people, I believe it is fear based on her body language. When talking to my dad who she doesn't see to often, she was fine sitting next to me/standing next to me. Her tail was down and backed away when she could when he talked to her and moved toward her in a non-threatening manner. Didn't try to force the issue. When walking her, can't really see her full body language. Also, based on her reactions when she was a puppy, she would rather have run away. I am also thinking of having her evaluated by a trainer. His background is in training police K-9's and has trained most of the local departments dogs. Was trying to work with her some more to see what I could do, or at least address some of the easier issues then focus on the more difficult ones with the trainer.
In the past when walking her and we came in contact with people, she would hackle, growl, and bark. She seemed like she was on super high alert all the time, afraid of manhole covers and any noise. Much of this was probably my fault as not being in control as the pack leader. What has been working is taking very controlled walks, working very hard on loose leash walking, and introducing her to new things and getting her over her fears. She was never afraid of cars and traffic. Now, she is not affected by manhole covers, a metal access plate, have gotten her to walk on the jungle gyms at the parks with openings and moving bridges. She actually likes going on them. There were no kids around when we did this work just to clarify. Now when she comes in contact with someone on a walk, she either gives them a look and ignores them or a quick growl that is quickly corrected. Basically just doing a structured walk with her has made a huge difference. I know I have a way to go, but have seen progress which is encouraging. This has transpired over the last couple of months.
At this particular park I have had her on a flat collar before and have been able to control her actions either by avoidance or correction and redirection. She will be on a prong at all times now. I have never had her act the way she did to the extent she did. I did have a smaller dog come up yapping and being aggressive once before on a neighborhood walk. I was able to control her with a flat collar at that time, however a prong or DD collar would have been easier to deal with.
Mike and anyone else, PLEASE, PLEASE pontificate. I know that hindsight is a wonderful thing and looking back, I know that there are 1000 different things that I could have done. I know it is my responsibility to control my dog in any situation, and in this case I didn't. I am working on this, wish it would go faster and am open to any and all suggestions. Have made some significant strides in my opinion to where we were before, but know that it is not the target of where I want to be. I know there is no one answer fits all solution and will not just do something because someone said to. I have in all areas of my life, asked questions, listened, educated myself and formulated a solution as to what makes the most sense. I know it is hard to give specifics since you didn't see the event occur, but any help is appreciated.
Again, sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Dave