McGee bit somebody today.

[Donnie]

Current situation: Renting a place near the beach for the summer, got up early and took McGee over for his first ever beach trip this morning. He was on leash, pulling around and sniffing everything. (He's never been outstanding on leash, which is my fault because I've never really worked him consistently at it, but it's been getting better lately.)  So a guy hollers over from down the beach about how beautiful McGee is and can he pet him? I said yes because McGee has always just loved people, although very jumpy and excited and not very good mannered when he meets them. So McGee is pulling hard against the leash trying to get to the guy, I'm fighting the leash trying to get him under some kind of control before they get there but soon as the guy gets there he reaches out and McGee growls and snaps the guy's hand and got him.  Don't think it was too bad but it was a bite.

Background: McGee is 3 years old, but was never socialized as a puppy. Got him at 8 weeks, but it was just me and him, never had any other dogs around and never got meet/play with any.  Now I pretty much keep him away from other dogs because it's just an unpredictable situation and I'm not sure how to handle it.  He's also been mouthy when we play (my fault), but we're getting better about that too (I think).  He seems to be much more reactive on leash, or when there's a fence between him and another dog, but because of that he doesn't get off leash.  The couple of times he's been around other dogs off leash went better than on leash, but there were still some reactions (not sure if it was aggression or just hey leave me alone you give me bad vibes).  And the people next door's dog came over to greet McGee at the fence last week and McGee just started growling a barking, so their dog bares teeth and does it back (and I didn't blame her at all, I would have too).  The lady next door called it 'stall courage' and something she'd seen in horses, but I've never heard of it.

So our issues seem to have a lot to do with the leash or fence.  Because the incident this morning happened when he was really pulling at the leash, and a couple of times lately he has been standing up on hind legs on a fence across from somebody and they reach over to pet him and he has snapped at them.  I don't think those were as aggressive as today, but it was still mouth to hand. But last week we were out in the fenced in back yard off leash and a neighbor came in and McGee did his usual jump on you hey it's great to see you but no growling or snapping or anything.

I know (or at least am pretty sure) he's not a mean dog, and I think he wants to play with other dogs because off leash I've seen him do the play bow, chase me/chase you type behavior, but when he gets close he gets real nervous because he doesn't really know what he should do, which I think feeds into a reactive cycle.

Sorry for the ramble, wanted to make sure I got all the info in there.

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

Your time taken now to ask how to handle this situation is a good sign. That being said,- your letter made me sad and angry at same time.

You agree you did not give your dog what it needed to be a good balanced dog-now you and the dog are paying the price. Dogs must have socialization and if you could not find a way-you should not have a dog. Socialization is as important as their food.

Socialize, socialize, socialize. The more time your dog spends outside of your home, and inside your home with strangers present the happier and less likely it will be to bite as an adult.

When the mailmen, delivery people, meter readers, newspaper delivery people come to your house, put your dog on a leash to try and let him sniff them, see them-you now need professional help to get you thru the socialization needed. You do not want others hurt or your dog to live in fear. 

Many dogs raised in all adult homes also become dogs with a tendency to nip or bite children. Be careful around children on the beach.Your dog is very cute and kids will migrate toward him

Dogs who Bite Strangers
Deal with a dog that bites strangers by allowing the dog to meet as many people as possible. Even as an adult dog this is important- even more to a dog who can be aggressive. Dogs who bite strangers usually bite out of some sort of fear. Helping your dog gain confidence in all situations will reduce the chance that your dog will bite. You need a professional trainer to help with this so it is done safely.

Keep him on a leash at all times for safety when around others. Please try and get some help from a trainer that specializes in aggression and fear. You say you do not think your dog is mean-and that is true. The sooner you get help and start working on this-the better life you and your dog will have. This summer on the beach, you will have plenty of people around to work on this-take advantage of it and good luck.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I agree that at this point you need to find a trainer to deal with these issues before it gets worse. In my case, our Vern is more nervous meeting new people and even though, Fudge is fine with strangers, I would never allow anyone to run up to our dogs and pet them and I have no problem telling them no if they ask.  I feel it is my job to protect my dogs.  Most dogs don't like someone new reaching over the tops of their heads to pet them. Also, no one should be reaching into your yard to pet your dog EVER.  Please find a good dog trainer as soon as possible...it will be good for you and McGee to build a better relationship with training. I think right now he has too much freedom and little boundaries and it is making him unsure and fearful. He needs to have faith that you are in charge of every situation. Good luck!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Laurie, I am glad you mentioned this about reaching over the top of their heads, Daisy absolutely does not allow anyone to do this, she just ducks and runs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack sometimes flinches even if I reach out at the top of his head. I always tell new people not to reach their hands out at him.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Calla flinches all the time if she is startled. It's often when I am just doing something routine and I have no idea why she does it. I do hate to see it though.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack does the same thing. Even when I goth put his harness over his head. He ducks and tail goes. Etween his leg.

[Becka]

This was one of the first things we learned in puppy class--always tell people who want to pet your dog to wait until you say it's OK (so you can put her in a sit) and then to pet her under the chin or on the chest. And ALWAYS ask permission to pet someone's dog. We even did a couple of role-playing scenarios where our instructor pretended to be the obnoxious guy who comes over and tries to pet the dog without permission, so that we could practice staying between our dog and the stranger.

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I hope you will try to find a trainer right now where you are to help you over the summer.  You need to be working on this everyday.  Learn to walk your dog properly and greet people.  You have lots of room to practice and lots of people to meet at the beach.  Please do this for yourself and for your dog.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

However, when you do "meet" people or other dogs when on a leash walk, you greet them verbally and keep walking. Do not stop to let the dogs get close to each other or to let anyone pet McGee. Not now. For now, focus on getting control of him and keeping him from reacting: he should continue walking along without barking, lunging, jumping, etc. That means he is calm, his feet stay on the ground, and he is focused on you. Treats may help to get started with this.

When walking him, pay very close attention to his body language and breathing. Loud breathing, ears going up, tail up and stiff, even if it's wagging, are all signs of impending reactiveness. If you see it coming before it starts, you can prevent it. Distract him and get his focus back on you. If need be, abruptly turn in the opposite direction. Constantly praise him for staying controlled.

[Adina P]

I don't know what 'stall courage' is but it sounds like perhaps horses have more courage/aggression when they are behind the wall of a stall? In any case, your dog is territorial and has barrier aggression.  Barrier aggression doesn't mean all-encompassing aggression and it is fairly common in dogs to get all riled up and be ready to fight with a fence between them.  We live across the street from a family (two families possibly) with several dogs.  One of their small dogs slipped out of the fence somehow and my husband went to help it back in.  The dog was fine with my husband until the moment they got to the threshold of the dog's fence and then tried to bite him! 

I don't blame this entirely on socialization.  You can take some dogs everywhere and they will still not know how to respond to people.  Socialization is the thing you do between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks to prevent certain fears from developing and to help your dog accept the world and it's inhabitants in general...to feel comfortable in its skin in the world.  Of course you don't STOP all socialization at that point, but really once your pup is a bit older it's TRAINING...training...training that makes the biggest difference.  You can take your dog downtown every single day on leash, but until you train your dog to behave on leash, you'll just have a dog that pulls everywhere downtown and acts like a jerk.

So, without further ado, please enroll in a good obedience class NOW.  I don't think you necessarily need private training unless that trainer works with you in real life (not just in home stuff).  Ask around at your vet, groomer, animal control...wherever...for references for good trainers in your area. You want someone who has a solid track record not just a PetSmart trainer. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD was badly undersocialized when I got him at 14 months, but for him, it showed as fear issues. Taking him lots of places and exposing him to all kinds of people, things, sights and sounds really did help him get over the fear issues, even at that age. But he was not reactive.

[Donnie]

Just googled up barrier aggression and parts of it describe our situation almost perfectly.  Sometimes I wonder how there are things I never knew about.