angel2cutiegirl
New member
Im currently assisting in a GSD rescue and am looking for options to help a 1.5 year old altered male. His family "didn't have time" for him so they decided taking him to the shelter after he grew out of his "cute stage" was best. He is a GORGEOUS dog!! He does surprising well with all dogs and LOVES the small dogs. He "babys" everything smaller than him (shares his treats, cleans their ears, etc.)
His big flaw though is his reaction to strangers. He "fluffs" up like a cat and hides behind the handlers leg. If the stranger continues to approach from the front he slinks to the ground and growls viciously. He is VERY intimidated with people approaching from the front. So we have been training with strangers approaching from the side with no eye contact. All of the strangers have a treat at their side in their hand. So when the dog shows the slightest interest we drop the treat near his nose. He has gotten really good at approaching the stranger himself and licking their hand to get the treat.
After a month of training he is looking better but I need advice on how to gradually get him to allow strangers to approach him from the front with eye contact without him being so fearfully aggressive. After he warms up (usually 3-4 sessions) he shows no signs of fearful aggression! He is such a lover and Im actually considering adopting him myself. Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated very much!
Reminder: Im using positive training, he IS altered, the vet has looked him over twice for medical reasons for aggression and has found NONE
He came from a No-Kill shelter. He was very lucky that he didnt fail the normal "personality" test at a regular shelter. He would have most likely been put down.
His big flaw though is his reaction to strangers. He "fluffs" up like a cat and hides behind the handlers leg. If the stranger continues to approach from the front he slinks to the ground and growls viciously. He is VERY intimidated with people approaching from the front. So we have been training with strangers approaching from the side with no eye contact. All of the strangers have a treat at their side in their hand. So when the dog shows the slightest interest we drop the treat near his nose. He has gotten really good at approaching the stranger himself and licking their hand to get the treat.
After a month of training he is looking better but I need advice on how to gradually get him to allow strangers to approach him from the front with eye contact without him being so fearfully aggressive. After he warms up (usually 3-4 sessions) he shows no signs of fearful aggression! He is such a lover and Im actually considering adopting him myself. Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated very much!
Reminder: Im using positive training, he IS altered, the vet has looked him over twice for medical reasons for aggression and has found NONE
He came from a No-Kill shelter. He was very lucky that he didnt fail the normal "personality" test at a regular shelter. He would have most likely been put down.