pcarfan
09-27-2005, 12:31 AM
My GSD/ACD is still a teenager at 15 months and going through some behavior changes. I rescued him when he was 3 months, and he has a questionable past of abuse from people and other dogs. He is fearful, and I was looking at dog behavior webpages tonight when I found this (use this page as reference for the behavior I describe if you don't know what it means).
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/3-11-2005-66974.asp
When we are on walks and meet other dogs we encounter, he displays raised hackles, fearful threats upon the other dog approaching, when they sniff a lot of the time he does the T-Bone. Our last walk we encounter a large poodle, he did all the behavior as described as above, and while he was doing the "t-bone" he did another thing I read about called the "half-moon eye" (white of the eye in a half-moon shape - where it looks like they want to bite!). We seperated them at this point.
It's pretty obvious he is scared, but i've never seen a scared dog do the t-bone while displaying the signs listed above of being scared. That's what gets me. Also, when people or children try to approch him he does the raised hackles and fearful threats posture, and will back up if approached. We have done normal and advanced training classes.
I'm just looking for opinions and advice. This summer he did bite a groomer who was trying to trim his nails after she trapped him and was reaching down for his paw. Other than that, he hasn't shown any other real signs of aggression towards strangers. Is it feasible to consider the fact that he could bite a stranger or child if they approached him too fast, or forced themselves upon him? Also, should I still let people and other dogs interact in the hopes that he will get better when he realizes everyone isn't out to get him (although he did have lots of socialization in class and it doesn't seem like it did much, because he is even more reserved around people now). Sorry for typing so much, but this is a pretty serious issue to me and appreciate any advice or opinions you have to offer!! Thank you!
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/3-11-2005-66974.asp
When we are on walks and meet other dogs we encounter, he displays raised hackles, fearful threats upon the other dog approaching, when they sniff a lot of the time he does the T-Bone. Our last walk we encounter a large poodle, he did all the behavior as described as above, and while he was doing the "t-bone" he did another thing I read about called the "half-moon eye" (white of the eye in a half-moon shape - where it looks like they want to bite!). We seperated them at this point.
It's pretty obvious he is scared, but i've never seen a scared dog do the t-bone while displaying the signs listed above of being scared. That's what gets me. Also, when people or children try to approch him he does the raised hackles and fearful threats posture, and will back up if approached. We have done normal and advanced training classes.
I'm just looking for opinions and advice. This summer he did bite a groomer who was trying to trim his nails after she trapped him and was reaching down for his paw. Other than that, he hasn't shown any other real signs of aggression towards strangers. Is it feasible to consider the fact that he could bite a stranger or child if they approached him too fast, or forced themselves upon him? Also, should I still let people and other dogs interact in the hopes that he will get better when he realizes everyone isn't out to get him (although he did have lots of socialization in class and it doesn't seem like it did much, because he is even more reserved around people now). Sorry for typing so much, but this is a pretty serious issue to me and appreciate any advice or opinions you have to offer!! Thank you!