Re: Random aggression towards strangers

In Reply to: Random aggression towards strangers
Category:   Aggression
Posted by:  Briana
Posted on:  December 27, 2002 at 13:22:52

: I have a 4-year-old male who we recently got from the pound. He has taken a liking to my partner and I and has only displayed aggression toward us once in the few months that we have owned him. He is typically very affectionate. We have also followed much of your advice regarding aggression if he gets even the slightest bit pushy. But we are very social people and would love to be able to take him out and are finding it impossible. He loses complete control in public and begins growling and snapping at people without warning, at random. He often rolls over to be scratched, will play gently and then turn on people with little warning. When we took him to my sister's house, he refused to move from his spaces, growling at her and attempting to bite. Is there anything we can do to train him to function in public settings?

Response:

Hi Briana,

Thanks for adopting one of our older terriers in need! Well this boy sure sounds like he could use the help of an obedience class.

My rescue needed a lot of socialization and the best place he got it was in obedience school in a small group setting. This way he is in a controlled setting without too many people and dogs but will learn to be around others. On top of that you will have a trainer right there to offer help.

Many people's reaction in your instance is to just not take the dog out and around, and while you need to be cautious with him at this point, isolating him will be the worst thing you can do.

Please get enrolled into obedience school with him, talk ahead of time with the trainer and discuss his problems so they will have a good idea what to expect and the trainer will be better able to help you out.

And don't think at four years old he's too old to learn. I took mine in at the age of 5, he passed with flying colors and has been to two agility classes since then. My guy was awful around other people and dogs too.

Find yourself a good training facility. Check with your vet or contact one of the JRTCA State Reps in your area, they might know of one, and also check with your local shelter, many are offering training classes these days and I am sure they will know how to help you with this situation.