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Posts: 1
From:petersburg, ak, usa
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-04-2003 12:49 PM            

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We have a 14-month old female aussie, who is affectionate and eager to learn and please us. The problem is that she seems to be pretty agressive with other people when we are out walking (jumping up on them and barking), or when anyone knocks on the door at home, or tries to come in the house. She also seems pretty agressive with other dogs that she meets, and will sniff noses for about 15 seconds, then start snarling and jumping on them. We're not sure how to get around this behavior, and hope to get some suggestions!

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Registered: Jul 2003

posted 09-04-2003 05:24 PM            

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The best book I can recommend about Austrailian Shepherds is "All About Aussies" by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle. It is a very helpful book. I would learn all you can about this breed. I have a 5 month old Aussie and she had not been socialized at all as a puppy. I got on the internet and contacted breeders to ask questions, and I researched the breed diligently because my aussie was also weary of strangers and children. I have children, and was concerned about this behavior when I saw it in my pup. I needed to know everything I could about this type of dog in order for me to be able to train her properly. I immediately took my pup everywhere, baseball games, walks all over town and asked anyone who was interested in my dog to pet her, and I always had a handful of treats to give to strangers to give to my dog. She was scared at the vet, and I gave the office people treats to give her, the vet treats to give to her. We took her on our family vactions this summer and walked her everywhere, met strangers EVERYWHERE we could just to get her socialized. I ALWAYS explained to people who approached her what I was trying to do and informed them of her lack of socailization. Only then would I offer treats for people to give her, with that understanding. She was a pup, though- so not too intimidating, and different from your situation. I worked so hard making up for her lack of socialization for the last two months but it has paid off. I also started obedience training using "leave it"- when I did not want her chasing my cats, or when I wanted her to settle down from playing with my children, or to not approach a "too enthusiastic" child who did not know how to approach dogs. It is one of the most useful commands you can teach any dog.
Aussies need to have jobs- they are very active and engaged with what is going on around them. If they do not have a flock to herd and protect, it will be you and your family that become her flock and she will naturally be protective of you. Aussies will get into mischief if they are not properly trained and understood (as with any dog). At 5 months old, my aussie gets her leash, will retrieve the newspaper from the mailbox, will keeps my cats from roaming too far out of the yard without harming or harrassing them, plays WONDERFULLY with my children, she herds them around the house, plays soccer, tetherball, frisbee, runs with me while I bike and always keeps a watchful eye on me, our family and our other pets. She is protective in a very positive way. She will bark at strangers approaching the house, but wil calm down, smell and lick if she knows we are ok with that person being here. I also took her to a dog socialization class at my ve where dogs sniffed and played with eachother for an hour indoors with all the owners and it was great expereince for her. They are one of the smartest dogs I have ever worked with. However, this is a somewhat protective, extremely loyal breed- a shepherd in every sense. It is normal for an Aussie to be reserved with strangers, but uncharacteristic of the breed to be aggressive or fearful of people. You need to be in control of your dog at all times. Get that book- it will help you understand what her actions are saying and how to correct her without ruining her naturally loyal instinct to protect you. They are an AWESOME breed to own.

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posted 09-04-2003 11:36 PM            

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Cynthia- After reading my post again I realize that I talked more about my dog than I did helping you with yours, and I apologize about that.
Your aussie is older than mine, so her training and socializing approach is not the same as what you would do with a puppy. You do not want her to bite someone, or another dog, by encouraging strangers to give her treats at this point. But keep that in mind as she progresses and you want to reinforce that "people are good-sometimes they have treats" idea. I do suggest you find the book I mentioned so you can better understand the temperment of the Austrailian Shepherd. And, if you can get enrolled in a socializing class with a trainer who has some experience with aggression that would probably be worthwhile, as long as it is a GOOD trainer, and that can sometimes be hard to find. I imagine you always have her on a leash under your control when you are out with your dog. Your dog must know who is in control- if you have trouble with that you will have trouble with everything. I use the command, "easy" when I want my dog to be calm. This comes in handy if small children are around,(which I have myself) or we are walking, passing people and dogs on a trail or sidewalk. I also have cats, and this term has taught my aussie how to interact with my cats in an appropriate way. I tell her "Easy" while I pet her, and reassure her that whatever the situation, I want her to remain calm and quiet, and sometimes offer a treat as she sits calmly. Always praise for good behavior..lots of kisses. Aussies are generally head-shy dogs. I have heard this stems from their herding instinct and to always be weary of hooves and feet hitting them in the face. So, I always have my hands on my aussie's face, petting her, examining her, looking in her ears etc. Your vet will appreciate these efforts when it comes time to examine your dog, if you have an aussie that is head-shy. When your dog jumps up on someone, what kind of correction do you give her? What kind of collar is she wearing? When she meets other dogs and is ok for those 15 seconds, I would move on before the situation changes and her behavior becomes inappropriate. PRAISE her as she sniffs and is calm, pet her, tell her good girl, then move on and give her a couple of treats as she looks back longing for some more interaction. Try to let things end on a positive note, even if that means a quick 5 second sniff of the noses instead of 15. If she is barking and fiercely pulling at the leash, you can give her a verbal correction, but keep moving, without praise or treats. Try to make any experience with other dogs a pleasant situation and do not let it last long enough for trouble to stir up. As she becomes more socialized, you can gradually increase the time spent with another dog, if you have a willing participant. You have to teach her that she can sniff noses as long as long as she acts appropriately. If she acts up, she is done, no more sniffs, no treats or praising, just move on. As far as people coming to the door and her barking, you have to decide what you want your dog to do in that situation, and then reward the right kind of behavior. Do you want her to bark to let you know someone is there? Do you want her to bark, but then quiet down when she is told to quiet down? Personally, I like it when my dog barks when someone approaches because I live in a rural area and like to know when there is someone around, so I let my aussie bark a few times, and tell her "good girl". I have a Husky who has never barked in her 16 years and this is a welcome change. However, when I see who it is, or if I am approaching the door with my dog, I tell her "easy", petting her, calming her, repeating the command "easy" or "easy girl". If she is going on and on, not quieting down, I say "that's enough" point my finger at her, tell her to sit and stay. If your dog just does not behave, remove her from the situation to another room. But, give her the chance to understand what it is you want from her before you have had enough. She will make mistakes, but she will learn with the right kind of praise and correction. Obedience training is so important and can be used to head off so many aggression problems that I strongly encourage you to learn all you can, decide what you want from your dog, practice what you learn, and be consistent with your commands. I think you will find that her willingness to please you and eagerness to learn will make your training go much more smoothly. That is half the battle right there and is sounds like that aspect is already in place. Find a special treat that she especially likes (like a little liver snap..something small and quick to chew up) and keep some in your pockets everywhere you go for rewards. You won't always have treats to offer and you will want your dog to mind you under any and all circumstances, but it does help get things off to a good start. You have to tap into that good temperment, and teach her how to manage her natural instinct to protect you and her home in a positive way. If all else fails... find a good trainer who can help you with aggression who has some experience with the shepherd breed. It is hard on this board to explain everything in words! Good luck and keep us posted on how she is doing.

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