need opinions

[shepgirl]

I wouldn't call your dog bad, she just needs more socializing. Obedience classes would be a great help, she would meet lots of dogs in a controlled atmosphere. Lots of patience and hard work should turn her around unless she's inherited this from her dam...did you meet the dam when you purchased her? I wouldn't quit on her now, sounds like good advice above also.

[Giselle]

NO, your dog is not "bad". There are NO bad dogs in my book. There is only inadequate communication and deep misunderstanding between dog and human. Remi's body language is her only way of communicating with humans. She can't say, "Hey, kid, back off, I'm getting really uncomfortable". She can only tense up, fold back her ears, curl her lip, push her weight back, etc. But when people don't understand and attempt to touch her anyways, Remi reacts the only way she knows how: she bites. She is a fear-biter. But being fearful does not make her inherently "bad".

As for the incident with the little girl, blame nobody but Remi's caretakers (i.e. you and your husband). It sounds harsh, but that's the mentality you have to take. In a strange new environment, a strange little girl tried to approach and probably touch Remi. Remi was tied up and scared out of her mind. What else was she supposed to do? I know it's humbling to admit to these things. I have a reactive dog and I've been through these situations waaaay too many times, so I completely understand where you're coming from.

Now, for the good news, first read this excellent link:
https://www.msu.edu/~silvar/fear.htm
Basically, you have to change Remi's emotional state. Through desensitization and counter-conditioning, you can mold her mind from fear of strangers to love of strangers. It's a bit of a long process, but the link explains it very very well. It also lists several books you should become familiar with:
- The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell (I HIGHLY recommend this one as a first read because it's simple, easy to understand, and provides step-by-step instructions)
- Calming Signals On Talking Terms with Dogs by Turid Rugaas
- Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
and another one I love is The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell

Rehabilitating a fearful dog's mind is a very unique, rewarding process if you do it right. And if you do it right, boy, the feeling of seeing a confident, happy dog is just heartwarming You can definitely do it. Remi sounds like a dog with a lot of potential. She just needs some clear leadership, solid rules, and a different mentality.

[shar]

wow, thanks for all these great replies, they have been great...remi is truly a great dog...the hardest thing is she was socialized very young, but the neighbours dog got her twice...we know this is why she is fearful of many dogs, much worse when on leash or tied camping...if she has her choice, she will choose to go the other way, never confront...as for people, she can be skiddish, but not with people who come to our home, only if we are out...we are definately going to be working with her and all these book recommendations sound great, i will have to check them out for sure...she is slowly getting better about weird things like the dishwasher...funny thing, as a pup, if it was left open we would catch her licking everything inside, then one day her collar hooked on the bottom tray and when she went to move, it came with her..scared the crap out of her and she ran and pulled the tray and shattered dishes all over...we are working on this one...she is such a "people" dog, always wants to be around when we have people over...we just got to get her out more and get her to realize that people outside are great too....i know my husband and i, and our 3 teenagers, gotta work together...thanks and any more advice is always appreciated...you have made me feel SOOOO much better
sharon

[Karen]

The good news is, at 20 months, for a Lab, she is still a puppy. So with careful and consistent training, you can help her overcome these fears. She may never be the fearless wonderdog, but she can be a better, calmer, and happier girl.