Fear aggression? suggestions...

My 7 month old bitch has become very fear aggressive towards other dogs.She's great with people and cats,etc. She's really obedient and well behaved but when I take her to a dog park her tail goes between her legs and she hides between my legs and If a dog approaches she will first growl and than go for it if the dog doesn't move away. Any advice? I'v tried taking her to a socialisation group but they wouldn't let her in.(Said she was too aggressive) Not sure If I should go to another class? I know people recommend it but It's very overwhelming for her. When we go down the woods she's okay with dogs. The problem is when there's a couple of dogs,that's when she gets frightened.. or when she's in an enclosed space. Also she lives with another bitch who's 9 months. Should i just approach dogs on walks to build her confidence or go to a class?...

Are you on talking terms with any of the other dog walkers at the park?

If so, ask them if they'll help you. Get them to stand still with their dogs & walk your girl towards them (sorry, you don't say what her name is). When you get to her comfort distance (ie just when she starts to show that she's not happy) stop & get her to sit & give her a treat. Just sit there for 5 minutes (talk to the others if you're close enough), then turn and walk a few paces away. With your back still to the dogs stop, get her to sit & treat again. All the time, you must remain quiet, calm & relaxed! If you're nervous that she'll react, then she'll pick it up & will react.

Next time, try to get one or two paces closer & so on. It may take some time, though, so be prepared to be patient.

Have you any idea why this has started?

I don't know them very well but I'l try asking If they might help.Her name's Pheobe and I'm not sure...she's always been quite timid towards other dogs.

I couldn't of worded it better Caryll. That is what I would of done in that situation.

How does the 9 month old react towards other dogs? If she is friendly and not bothered around other dogs, take her on walks at the same time. Pheobe could just be a nervous dog and as such she may not know how to react to a dog that she does not know. If she sees that there is no harm coming to her then she might be a little more sociable. Reward the other one for being friendly and Pheobe will want them rewards as well so she will work it out eventually but everything takes time and a lot of patience with regards to aggressive/anti-social behaviour, there is no quick fix.

Ali123 wrote:I don't know them very well but I'l try asking If they might help.Her name's Pheobe and I'm not sure...she's always been quite timid towards other dogs.

You do need to be careful - she'll be going through a 'fear stage' about now, so any negative things that happen to her will get imprinted & it'll be even harder to overcome.

Has she been spayed?

My other pup is the most out going dog I've ever seen she loves all people and dogs no matter what size or age shes been that way since we got her at 8 weeks and Pheobe gets along well with her It's just other dogs shes weary of She has been spayed. Oh and they always go on walks together.

As she was slated so early you may have even more problems with fear aggression. The hormones that would have kicked in at between 6 months & about 18 months would have helped her to mature both physically & mentally, giving her more self assurance & maturity to cope with all situations.

It's still nit insurmountable, but it's going to be a long, hard slog.