Canine Aggression

[fostermom]

Hello everyone,
I am currently fostering a shep mix dog that I am having some problems with. I should start by saying that I only ever foster "behaviourly challanged" dogs. This one is just eluding me as to what to do.

He is the sweetest dog in the world...if you are not afraid of him. The second you show any fear towards him, he attacks. He doesn't even warn you first. My husband and I have never had a problem with him. He is great with our dogs and our cats (he has NEVER had any aggression towards any of them or us). However, none of our friends can come over, because the minute they walk in the door, he bites. We have had various people come in and out and so far all we can tell is that if you walk in the house confident and unafraid of him, he has no problema and won't even bark. I should mention that this is not just a house thing. He also has these aggression issues on a leash as well.

He really is a sweet dog, I just need help to break him of this "bite first, warn later" thing. Once he has bitten someone, he is very remorseful. He knows hes done something bad.

I should also mention he was neutered when he came into our rescue program (at approx. 8 years of ag). His previous owner never stated ever having a problem with people comign in the house however he did not like men AND was brought to us becauase he got really nervous one day and rather then back off and let him calm down, the girls mother put her hand out and grabbed the dog, and he bit her.

Any advise?

[Daveyo]

First you got a dog that is going to get you into a good lawsuit from someone if it bites them.

Secondly no excuses here. Get a muzzle that is made of rawhide and they sell it for aggressive dogs.

When you got some friends coming over and before letting them in the house put on that muzzle on the dog. Period it stays on until your friends leave or you put that dog into another room having water and some food snacks etc.

If you go outside for the walk, put on that muzzle.

This is the only way to control dogs biting behaviour. When they see a stranger, that muzzle will prevent him biting someone. Eventually they learn period.

Daveyo