[SarahFalk]

Hi guys,

My husband and I adopted a sweet Husky/German Shepherd mix from the SPCA about a year and a half ago. We know nothing about her background, except that she was housetrained and knew how to sit and shake. She also heeled like a sled dog, dragging me down the road for a while! Most of the time, she is wonderful with people and loves to play. She even plays with our cat and is really considerate and pretty gentle with him. She is probably about 2 years old.
However, she sometimes exhibits some scary behavior that I want your advice on how to deal with. I remember one instance when I first got her. She was sitting in the middle on the bench seat of my truck. I was in the driver's seat and my friend got into the passenger seat. She growled at her and I was so surprised I didn't do anything. That worried me and so I watched her like a hawk for a while.
Then about a month ago, another friend (whom Samoa knows - she lived with us for a while) was petting her and gave her a hug around the tummy. Samoa growled at her, and I was close enough to grab her, tell her no, and spank her.
Then today, another friend came over whom she had never met. He pulled her face towards his and she snapped at him! She did touch his face but didn't break the skin. Again, I was close enough to grab her, yell at her, and put her up for a while. I think she's feeling threatened and reacting like that.
I'm thankful to God that she hasn't hurt anyone. My husband and I are wanting to have kids, and while she is great with small dogs, I'm worried about what she'd do if a kid pulled on her face or something. Is there anything I can do to help desensitize her? I am of the strong opinion that while I love my dog to pieces, a child or other person is infinitely more valuable and the dog has to be dealt with. What can I do?
Thanks!
Sarah

[labman]

Shepherds and Huskies both have inborn tendencies to be suspicious of strangers. It sounds like she is body sensitive. Unfortunately some people push strange dogs further than some dogs will tolerate. Even if changing her is tough, it is easier than changing all the people she encounters. Properly socialized as a young puppy, most dogs wouldn't mind what you describe. With her genetic tendencies plus likely poor early socialization, this may be hard to correct. Having a good pack structure reduces such problems. The dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/. I would suggest working out of a good book. There are many dog training websites, but most of them are terrible, ranging from useless to dangerous.

As you take over your leadership position, she may feel less need to act on her own part. Much of the dog training world is moving away from harsh corrections and toward positive methods. I think such aggressive incidents still needs met with a correction. Hitting the dog isn't effective. Give her a stern ''Bad dog!'' in a quiet, firm voice. If she will accept it, try pulling her down on the floor with her back against you and holding her. Use your hands on her shoulder/neck area and middle to hold her. Praise her when she quiets down. If
You can't do that, try the squirt bottle. Fill it with water and a little
vinegar or lemon juice. Give it a squirt in the face as soon as it
Misbehaves. Dogs hate that. I don't like it either and only suggest as a last resort.

Another thing I reserve for the worst cases is a professional trainer or behaviorist. Most people can learn to control their dog and correct problem behaviors themselves. She is nearing 3 years old when a dogs personality is mature and harder to change. The aggression is a problem that must be solved.

I would not be too concerned about eventual children. If you establish yourself as top dog, it then becomes her duty to accept and protect your offspring. You should give her plenty of chances to prove herself before leaving her alone with the children if at all. If the aggressiveness isn't corrected, it could create anther problem, over protectiveness of the children.

If you are still having troubles with her on leash, say so, a much easier problem to solve than the aggression.

[fredg]

Hi,
If you wish to watch some good TV programs about Dog's Aggressiveness, do you get the NGEO TV channel? National Geographic.
There is a show called Dog Whisperer, comes on a couple of times a week, different times. It has a Professional dealing with different types of dog issues, mainly Agressiveness.
I do wish you the best.

[SarahFalk]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm encouraged by your words about her accepting our children as 'pack members'. I've been reading a lot about dominance in the last day - and I really do think my husband and I are the alpha humans. I win the staring contests, we take her food away while she's eating it with no trouble, she doesn't get on the furniture, etc. But when she meets a stranger, they're not alpha, and that's where the trouble starts. Is there anything can do there or is just telling people how to play with her?
Thanks

[fredg]

Hi,
The TV show, if you get it, covers things like this.
I am not suggesting you try this, but it does work, IF you are not nervous, and show your dog you are boss, and she isn't.
The next time you and your dog are with a stranger, put you fingers on her side, or neck, very firmly (don't hit her), tell her "shhh-h-h-h", and push her down with your fingers. She should be lying down, talking to her, and massaging her, getting her mind off the stranger. Don't yell at her, and don't hit her. All you want to do is get her mind on you, not being the aggressor at the stranger.
If you are afraid to do this, then don't. If you are not afraid, then try it, not showing her any fear. After some time, could be up to 6 weeks, she will start being more submissive around strangers.
Also, she should not be in front of you when you meet a stranger. You should be in front of her, showing her you are in command, not her.
This also works with a stranger coming to the front door. You answer the door, but with her sitting back behind you, not in front of you at the door.
If she runs to the door, then don't open it. Use your fingers, push her down, then move her back into the room, away from the door. She will soon learn not go be the first to go to the door.
I do wish you the best.

[labman]

snip.... But when she meets a stranger, they're not alpha, and that's where the trouble starts. Is there anything can do there or is just telling people how to play with her?
Thanks

The problems in your original post seems to be less strangers than interacting with people you know. One thing that can help build trust is to give the other people treats for her. Treats don't have to elaborate or large. I have carried a 35 mm film canister with kibble when I had a dog go through a fear stage. I have seen it work, not on TV, but with my own dogs and my friends'.

And keep working on the leadership thing. Top dogs go through the door first. Other pack members move out of the way rather than be stepped over or gone around.