fear aggression

Hi everybody... I wanted some advice. I just adopted a 6-8 mth old boxer pup from a shelter. She was very sweet and gentle which is important to me since I once had a dog with aggression issues. This is her first day home so I probably should just wait it out a bit but she is such a sweetheart and I am worried. She is very timid... tucking her tail.. .but warmed up to us quickly with gentleness. But my mom and dad came by and she started barking and growling and brisling... first time I had heard her bark although we had visited her a few times in the shelter. she settled down when I told them not to approach her but later she did it again and even when I took her into the yard and my mom was there she barked and bristled again... I think it is out of fear but I'm not sure what to do and dont want her to bite anyone of course whether it is out of fear or not. Do you think she is just needing some time to feel safe and secure or do we have a problem and how would we deal with it? Sorry such a long question.... I jus twant to do the right thing... she really needs to be in a forever home and I need a dog I can feel safe with too. THanks .

I think she just needs some time to settle in and get used to her new environment. I'd give her a couple weeks to adjust before I got too worried.

Sign her up for a puppy training class. It will help socialize her to all sorts of dogs and people.

Good luck and congrats on the new addition!

It's probably her newness that make her unsure of the situation. Most dogs at that age have started to develope a
sense of family (their pack) and know others as outsiders.

I agree that signing her up for obedience classes ASAP will
help a lot. It could help her with confidence issues and also
help establish a bond of trust with you.Best of luck with the
lessons.

p.s. Puppy training classes can be a lot of fun.:)

She just needs time to adjust:) If you were taken out of a place that you knew you where safe, and put in a brand new place with some strangers, wouldn't you feel little self defensive;)

Congrats on the new addition!-Thanks for comming to us for help!-I am sure you won't regret it. What is her name? Do you have any pics of her for us! PT'ers LOVE to see pics of puppies, dogs, cat, etc.

Steph and Jes

I hope this puts some light into your situation. I have been an obedience instructor for years .... It could be a number of things as to why your new dog is reacting in such a way. Do you know where she came from prior to your home (living situation and treatment)??

First of all, I agree with the others - she is adjusting to an environment and needs time. Secondly, obedience is an excellent idea BUT I always recommend you wait several weeks after she has been with you. The reason for this is...if you have a dog that is fairly shy and timid, throwing her in more of a hectic situation may have a reverse effect. Then, enroll her in some basic obedience and this will definitely help her. You may want to seek a class with a limited number of dogs or with more than one instructor.

If you have any other questions or concerns, I would be happy to help. Good luck.

Thanks everybody for your replies. I don't know her situation before coming to the pound. She does seem very fearful when she is reprimanded. A couple times I pointed a finger at her while saying no and she just ducked to the floor as if expecting to be hit so I try to keep from raising my hands in any way when speaking sternly. She never shy's away from hands when we are petting or anything... just when we are saying no about something. I have notices she never seems to do the growling when with my boyfriend... mostly with me... and mostly only when there are males involved. So it may be a matter of protection or her not feeling as safe with me? SHe is a real sweety though and I will try to get a picture to post. She is very good with other dogs so that isn't a problem. I guess she came in with a friend and the sent him to another shelter... poor thing. So she is scared and lonely but seems very happy here other than the occasional fear. So do you recommend that we don't go out of our way to socialize her now... taking her out to parks.. etc. ? I don't want to let it get to be too much a way of life for her... but I can see where she may just need some time. THanks so much for all your help.

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She does seem very fearful when she is reprimanded. A couple times I pointed a finger at her while saying no and she just ducked to the floor as if expecting to be hit so I try to keep from raising my hands in any way when speaking sternly.

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I would guess that her owners either beat her, or hit her a lot...Jesse cowars whenever I reach down to grab her collar when she has ran away, and all most pees on the floor when I reprimand her. I try to not to yell, I try to use a stern voice.

Just ask more questions if you have any, and we would LOVE to know her name;)

Can't wait for the pics!-Steph and Jes