hi have booked my gsd april into classes starting in2 weeks but Im wondering if im doing the right thing aS she is so noisy and gets so stressed with other dogs she growls and barks and it is becoming hard to hold her .She was attacked by a staffi at 13 weeks and things just went down hill from there,I know she is frightened but I want to take her ot with out parents running a mile with there kids because she looks awfull when she sees a nother dog HELPhas NEVER shown aggression to people just dogs she does not know she went out and about after her jabs and mixed with other dogs but was always shy

Hi, you're certainly doing the right thing (is it an APDT class?) because this isn't something they "grow out of". What is your reaction to her when she is noisy and stressed with other dogs? The best thing to do is not tighten the lead, and completely ignore her (as much as you can!) Don't scold her, don't "reassure" her. She will consider both of these reactions as praise and encouragement for what she's doing. So stand still, relax your arm on the lead (let it looser if possible, but don't let it go!) and pretend she isn't there. The instant she stops, and ideally turns to look at you, say "good girl", get her to sit, then praise her.

Good luck with the classes.
:)

Just wanted to say that i feel for you! Our 5 month old Dobie sometimes has a bark at dogs at a distance and I know how people look at you (think GSDs and Dobies misbehaving or barking tend to get the same 'look'!). I'm sure you're doing the right thing and that the trainers there will be able to advise you. I hope it's reward based training, we had a GSD at our puppy class that was v scared of other dogs but seemed to come on during the time we were there - his owners treated him when other dogs came near and he was quiet, but you need someone more experienced than me to explain this method more clearly.

Good luck.

Jude

try kicking another dog's ass with your dog watching. this will show your dog that there is nothing to be afraid of.

Jerry

Grow up.

I would maybe have a word with the trainer first.

To be honest, I would be careful taking her to classes. Yes, she needs to meet and mix, but if she is "iffy" she SO needs to learn the right things, at this stage it is crucial as she could go one way or another.

For example, if she lunges and barks at another dog, that dog may be frightened and run away, and she will learn oh-so-fast that barking will get them to go away. If she does bark, it is best if the other dog doesn't go away until she has stopped barking. But this does not always happen in class.

If she were my dog, i would take her food out with me on walks and feed her whenever other dogs were nearby. Food is a primary reward (ie necessary for life) in this instance, so it will be important. If you don't want to use her main meal/s, you can use extra special titbits. This is classical conditioning and is about "association" rather than "consequence". Something very similar was mentioned in a previous post :)

You could start her by feeding/rewarding when she is not reacting but just looking, and then a bit closer and so on. It will take some time though so if your trainer can help it will be excellent. When other dogs move away, the food is withheld.

However, if she is not too bad, and the trainer is good, she may be fine at classes. They may even be very helpful. Make sure the trainer knows how to handle barking dogs and fearful dogs - don't be afraid to question them ;)

Lindsay