Hello all,
We rescued a Dane in August when she was 14 months old. Don't know too much about her first year and whatever socialization she received. She is now 19 months old (spayed). When we first got her, she didn't have too many issues, maybe a little separation anxiety from me (she is much more "my" dog than my husband's). We have 4 children, ages 5-10. She is wonderful with them. About 3 months after we got her, she started showing fear aggression towards strangers in our home and my son's friends (ages 7-12). It is actually quite strange as she is much more reactive to boys than girls (a problem as 3 of our 4 are boys). She has never bitten but she has lunged. It was like a switch, one week she didn't have issues with kids and a week later when my son had friends sleepover, she was not ok with them being in the house and I had to keep her in a separate room. I know it doesn't take much to create a fear issue with dogs but there was no significant event that lead to this change in behavior. I'm not sure if it took three months to feel comfortable in our home and now she feels the need to protect? I've sent her to a board and train program which has really helped her become more obedient but didn't help with her behavior issues. We have had one behaviorist come over and didn't help too much and I have another appointment on Saturday with another one. I've tried a lot of different training methods and I'm not having very much luck. I've tried giving her tons of treats when she is around kids/strangers, have had them give her treats when they come over etc... She is totally normal at the dog park, has no issues with strangers or other dogs. She has even seen some boys and doesn't focus in on them the way she does around the house. We have a great dane puppy as well and she is good with him except for some food aggression that I have managed. She is such a sweet dog around my family and our extended family that she knows and it makes me sad she can't be that way all the time. Has anyone else had this issue or ideas that can help her not be so protective/fearful? Thanks!
We rescued a Dane in August when she was 14 months old. Don't know too much about her first year and whatever socialization she received. She is now 19 months old (spayed). When we first got her, she didn't have too many issues, maybe a little separation anxiety from me (she is much more "my" dog than my husband's). We have 4 children, ages 5-10. She is wonderful with them. About 3 months after we got her, she started showing fear aggression towards strangers in our home and my son's friends (ages 7-12). It is actually quite strange as she is much more reactive to boys than girls (a problem as 3 of our 4 are boys). She has never bitten but she has lunged. It was like a switch, one week she didn't have issues with kids and a week later when my son had friends sleepover, she was not ok with them being in the house and I had to keep her in a separate room. I know it doesn't take much to create a fear issue with dogs but there was no significant event that lead to this change in behavior. I'm not sure if it took three months to feel comfortable in our home and now she feels the need to protect? I've sent her to a board and train program which has really helped her become more obedient but didn't help with her behavior issues. We have had one behaviorist come over and didn't help too much and I have another appointment on Saturday with another one. I've tried a lot of different training methods and I'm not having very much luck. I've tried giving her tons of treats when she is around kids/strangers, have had them give her treats when they come over etc... She is totally normal at the dog park, has no issues with strangers or other dogs. She has even seen some boys and doesn't focus in on them the way she does around the house. We have a great dane puppy as well and she is good with him except for some food aggression that I have managed. She is such a sweet dog around my family and our extended family that she knows and it makes me sad she can't be that way all the time. Has anyone else had this issue or ideas that can help her not be so protective/fearful? Thanks!
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