Is this the start to fear aggression?

He is a 13 month old Shepherd/ACD mix. When he was a puppy (first 2 or 3 months of his life) he grew up with older, mean dogs that picked on him. I don't know if there was any abuse from the Owner. He is very submissive. In the past few months I have noticed some changes in his behavior.

First, when strangers used to come to the house he would have no problem coming up to them and would generally be all too happy to have someone new coming to visit him. Now, he keeps his distance and barks, and then slowly comes up to them, but won't usually let them pet him. On walks when we used to pass people, he would wag his tail and be happy to see the strangers (in a submissive sense), but now (sometimes) his hackles come up, ears back, often flat against the head; avoiding direct eye contact; lowering the head and body; tucking tail between the legs; even submissive urination. Sometimes he'll jump in their direction, but I don't know if it's friendly or not since he doesn't growl when he does it. At night, he'll jump and start barking rather defensively at even the smaller noises or suspicious things.

Secondly, when we try to groom him, especially trimming his nails, he bears his teeth and bites (more of just a warning, soft bite) and he even bit the groomer at Petco (harder than he does to me) when she tried to do it. He guards his food with his life. As soon as he hears me drop it into his dish, the growling starts and he bit a family member when they put their hand infront of him.

99% of the time he's a great dog with a wonderful, affectionate personality. I'm no dog expert so i just wanted to post some of my observations so far and see what the experts think. We did do obedience class for 16 weeks. He didn't like playing with other dogs, but excelled at his training.

I'm interested to hear what kind of responses I get, thanks.

IMO you DEFINATELY need to get a behaviourist in.

Your lad should never bite or snap, and food guarding/aggression is a sign of issues as well as being an issue in itself.

I'm sure he's a lovely dog, but he is suffering potentially dangerous behaviour issues and it is always best to nip these things in the bud.

For now, the advice I can give you is to not force him to accept strangers. Loads of praise when he approaches or looks but doesn't bark/growl but NEVER force him to accept attention from people, or sharply reprimand him for fear or aggressive behaviour.

Ask people NOT to reach out to him, even if he does come over to sniff, also ask them not to stare him in the eye or 'squeal' in a high pitched voice at him.

Sometimes, people are so desperate for your dog to like them that they will not listen to your request to allow him to come around - Be careful that you place yourself between him and the people so that he feels 'safe' and repeat your request that they do not attempt to force themselves on him.

This is the advice I recieved from my behaviourist with regards to the stranger behaviour, and I would recommend you follow it in the meantime but I would really think you should get your own behaviourist in soon!

HTH

*ps remember loads of praise for any 'good' or 'non aggressive' behaviour.

Toni



* sorry, forgot this bit

Quote:

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At night, he'll jump and start barking rather defensively at even the smaller noises or suspicious things.

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If you can, try to completely ignore this behaviour. Don't shout to be quiet, or give him attention for it at all... Eventually, he should realise that all these things are normal, because the 'pack leaders' aren't worried about them... leading by example, you know?

Also, as usual, any 'new' behaviour or physical symptom would be a reason to have a vet check-up, as there can sometimes be physical reasons for anxiousness or aggression.

My friend was adopted by a cream colored german shepherd that showed up at her hobby farm. He had been beaten and starved. He was very submissive to her other dog, my friend and myself but fearfully aggressive toward men. The first vet reccommended he be put down as a lawsuit waiting to happen (though she was an idiot at dealing with a scared dog.) Group obedience training did not work but the trainer gave us some good ideas.

Work with him for short periods every day around the issues he has problems with. Also teach him pleasureable games commands that he can be rewarded for and feel competent about.

Eventually he came to live with me fulltime when my friend moved into the city. My dad worked with him to get rid og the fear triggers over baseball caps (he work freak at the sight of a baseball cap).

Once he was completely sure he was a valued subordanent member of the "pack" he was a great and a gentle dog. He would not let anyone touch him who had not been introduced. (Which meant my father or me taking that person to him, having him sit and telling him their name and being asked to sniff their fingers.) But, hey, I don't let strangers touch me either. He would elude them, not bite at them.

He never did have issues sharing his food... or his nest.

By the time he was re-socialized (it took time) my vet could draw blood and clip nails without muzzling him.

Hang in there. Your poor baby wants the security of knowing you will be in charge and protect him so he can relax and be a dog. It is not unlike abused kids who lash out but want very much to have someone they can trust to teach them the real rules....

See a dog trainer/behaviorist as soon as you can. My Link was a great dog who was loved and loving for the 11 years or so he had with us.

Sorry to be so long winded, but it just brings it all back....

It's possible especially since he was abused as a pup.
But at the same time, usually puppies love
everyone.
It is when they start maturing to adolescent stage their
personality will usually change.
I think positive training and even an evaluation from
a behaviorist could not hurt.
(Also to I am assuming your dog is healthy,
because when they are not feeling well they
can act irritable too.)
GSD can be protective and loving with
family members but not that way outside of the family.
Not every dog likes strangers.
But the family dog should be tolerant of family
members.
(I did not know what a ACD was)

:( It does sound like intense fear aggression to me... it can be very serious (and can easily result in a bite), and DEFINITELY needs attention from a pro behaviorist. He must be a very smart pup, but he needs more than group classes now. Any advice we give you, or other people who dont know you, is just generalized... a good behaviorist can evaluate your dog and give you specific directions and details. I went to a behaviorist for some fear issues with my Border Collie, and it was soooo worth every penny! Follow-up Obedience classes could not hurt.

Until you do see a behaviorist, make sure your pup is under control and supervision always! For now, try to start hand-feeding him his kibble (if he allows that), or feed him inside of his crate so that he cant bite anyone. You should start Nothing in Life is Free training... make him earn everything he gets (walks, going through doors, food) by sitting or laying down. Also make SURE he is securely inside of your house or your yard is locked when you're gone. You do not want him to get out and get into a bad situation (neighbors chasing him, kids running up to him and scaring him, etc) and end up biting some one. ACD's (Australian Cattle Dogs, KYS ;)) amd GSD's have a predisposition to be somewhat wary with strangers, but it does sound like theres a lot of issues that have nothing to do with his breed.. poor pup sounds like he didn't have a good start in life at all! Its awesome that you're his owner now, and you care enough to nip this in the bud.