Does it get better? Dog with fear aggression

[Marley&Me]

Sounds cliched, but watch Caesar Milan.
Just some simple voice techniques can and will be able help.
I would t recommend letting off the leash until he feels safe with you, not protective of you which sounds like his behavior, toward other dogs/people.
Also using a small empty soft drink bottle filled half way with rocks helps as a tool to discipline.
Hope this helps.

I have to agree with watching Ceasar Milan, he is fantastic. I know the show seems a bit corny, but I agree with everything he is about. He uses simple techniques that make sense. maybe google him or watch some on youtube.

[christy]

There is some good advice about. Fear aggression is hard work for both you and the dog. Gentle techniques are awesome, but there also has to be some consequences....

First, work with both the vet and behaviouralists on this. Fear aggression can be reduced with anti anxiety drugs. Its very hard work. We had a dog with severe separation anxiety and OCD. We worked with him for 5 years, we trained him daily, 5-6 times a day, we walked him off lead for 30 minutes every afternoon and 30 minutes on lead every morning. We did training classes once a week. He was medicated and we worked very hard for him and us. Unfortunately after 5 years he developed severe arthritis and became fear aggressive. I was walking him and a child ran out to the fence to see the dog, he attacked the fence. It was one of the most devestating things to go through. The child was fine, it was just knowing... knowing that I had done everything possible and did not succeed. I was in love with this dog, and we spend thousands on him... but we had to put him to sleep. He was unpredictable and I couldn't have it on my head if he had actually gotten to the child. I realised that I couldn't be responsible for it.

So saying that, I don't think you have to make the choice now, but give yourselves some guidelines and draw the line at the decision. Do it now because having to make that decision on the fly was the hardest thing I'd ever done.

[Artechim]

We did have a dog when I was growing up that would attack every other dog she saw. Raised from a pup, with our other dogs, no reason for it at all. I took her to obedience classes and she started off having to sit away from the other dogs, snapping at any that got close. I took her for a couple of years and by the end of it she was fine with other dogs. Sometimes she would even play with them. We were able to let her off lead at parks with no worries that she would attack any other dogs. So it can happen. Group classes are a great way to get him socialised.

[blessedatlast]

I don't have any advice, but I am interested in seeing how you go. How did he go at training tonight?

[LionsandBears]

He was OK. Not a fan on the head halter, which is tough. I have more control over him than with the check collar. He wants to please, so that is in his favour. We have lots of practising to do and I need to lower my voice an octave

Saying that, when we came home and I went to change, I heard the sound of rustling. Came out to find he'd stolen a bag of treats off the kitchen bench and scoffed the lot. So he got walked around in a circle, feeling sorry for himself.

I'm feeling a bit more confident but that may last just until the next walk. We'll see how we go.

Christy - there is a point of no return and we've discussed that. It would break my heart, but I'd rather that than someone is seriously hurt.

[EssTee]

Having any dog with a behavioural issue, particularly one like fear aggression, is so, so hard.
Personally, i believe that you have to find a behaviourist and a technique that works for you, and the dog. They are all different, and some dogs just do not respond to all techniques.
Personally I had a LOT of success with Dog Listener techniques and i use them today with all my dogs. I had a dog aggressive English Setter who is 10 years old now and while he does on occasion still react to other dogs he is no where near as bad as he used to be (he used to go nuts seeing a dog 10 m away and now he barely reacts if dogs walk past him - it's quite possible this is just through sheer laziness though!). If you don't feel as though certain things are working, do not be afraid to try something else or change behaviourists.
Also it's good to remember that while it's very easy for people to judge your dog for having fear aggression with other dogs, there is more than one way of dogs having poor socialisation skills. Often times, those overly friendly, crazy off lead dogs that just LOVE every dog, are the ones that can cause the most issues. they usually lack control, are over stimulated and cannot read the very subtle signals that your dog may be giving them before giving them a much deserved snap. Sometimes it's these types of encounters, which leads to a fairly well socialised dog to become overly wary, and give a warning much earlier due to being wary.
L&B I hope that your latest classes begin to help you.
As an aside, LuluHB I notice you are in Perth. if you are interested in trying to combat your dogs issues, I have some friends with reactive dogs that have gone through "Reactive Rover" classes, and had success. you can google them for information. it requires a one on one consult initially, but as I said, heard wonderful things about them.

[EssTee]

Just want to add a couple of other things after re-reading your post. Firstly after having him just 2.5 months, you are doing a wonderful job and I really commend you for working so hard to get him through these issues. As you have already witnessed, a lot of people out there seem to think that the only option after an incident is to PTS... its simply not the case every time. I have seen many a dog rehomed for "bad" behavioural issues, only for the dog to end up in the right hands, where the dog no longer has these issues, or they work hard to get through them.
I also currently know of two dogs on a destruction order by the council (case pending). These dogs were taken on by a rescue during the case and placed in foster homes knowing their possible fate. Both dogs have had no issues and have settled well with their foster homes. Unfortunately with the council involved it doesn't look good for these dogs but it just shows how a change of circumstance for dogs can give them a clean slate, with owners willing to understand and work with them.
Just in regards to the halti - nto sure if you want to try, but there is a product called a "balance harness" by black dog wear. You buy them with a double ended lead which you attach at the front and top of the harness (a traditional harness has a top loop and gives the dog plenty of control and pulling power). they work in a similar way to a halti, where you pull them around to redirect their attention/energy, however while you maintain control, the dogs tolerate them a bit better, as it's not pushing the pressure points on their muzzle which is what makes the halti so uncomfortable and even unbearable for some dogs.

[LionsandBears]

Thanks to everyone who has provided advice. We are continuing classes twice a week, DH and I alternating who is trained with the dog. We both feel we have better control whilst walking the dog and he is noticeably calmer. He still reacts to dogs and some people but he is learning not to. The critical distance is shortening too. Whereas he would lose it seeing a dog 20 metres away whilst on lead, now he can stay in control up to about 3 metres at class. It still depends on the situation though.

We are using a black dog brand head halter and lead. It can't hurt him if he doesnt pull. At home, he just wears a normal collar. When he barks or growls at home (which happens if he hears someone approaching), he is told a sharp No and walked slowly around the dining table. He is still doing it, but now he looks to us more before he loses control. We had tradesmen at the house today removing trees and he was kept inside, occassionally growling or barking, but mostly just lying down watching them calmly.

Anyway, I do feel that the new training is making a big difference, if only to our confidence. there may be no magic cure, but I'm hoping that in a few months, he'll be safe off lead with other dogs. I feel sad for him missing out on playing with his doggie friends. We used to take him up for doggie playtime nearly every night and they'd run around having a ball. However, until we can trust him to come back when called and not to attack another dog, we can't take him. We do make sure he has play time with us though.

One thing that i am speculating about and will be taking him back to the vet for, is I think he may not be neutered. I think he has undescended testicles. He doesnt have the tattoo in his ear to say he was desexed but an absence of a scrotum and testicles means the people at the pound, vets and rescue organisation have all said he is desexed. Every now and again, when he rolls over for a belly rub, I can see what could be 2 small testicles. They are not always obvious though. I've been trying to get a photo so I can ask a vet, but doggie doesnt cooperate at those times. He may need an ultrasound/blood tests. Whilst getting neutered (if he does need it) may not completely solve the behavioural problems, it may help. It will also reduce his chances of testicular cancer. Hopefully they are as obvious as they seem to me and they dont have to do a major operation to find them. It's all just speculation at this point though.

[Miss_Dee]

That's really great to hear that he is improving. The fact that he is looking to you more before losing control is, in my experience at least, a very good thing. It may still take some time, but definitely sounds like you're all on the right track

[christy]

Just to ease some of the undesexed worries, the majority of dogs in the past 10 years or so have not have the tattoo's... in fact in the 14 years I had in the veterinary industry, only one vet clinic tattoo'd and only when the client requested it.

I would suggest that the small lumps you are feeling are his glands and usually when he is excited, these glands usually settle down around 12-18 months after desexing, but sometimes they are there for anxious dogs, like any excitement can cause them to be swollen. The should be on either side of the penile shaft near the middle of where the hind legs meet the body... if that makes sense?