I have a 6 month old bitch dobermannwho from an early age has been to training and puppy socialisation but now when we are out on a walk and we pass people her hackles immediately go up and she pulls on the lead to be at the people, is this just her being a puppy or is it the first signs of her being aggressive. Why do her hackles go up????? She is quite a nervous pup but she is gradually growing out of that, in the house with the baby and the children she is brilliant. Any tips please would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

She's probably going through what's called the second fear impact stage. At this age things a dog was familiar with will suddenly appear scarey - her hackles come up because she's trying to make herself look bigger and more impressive in an effort to scare whatever it is away - try and make sure this isn't succesful and keep the atmosphere light and enthusiastic - it really depends on how the handler deals with the situation which will set the tone for the dog. Don't force her to confront things that scare her, but at the same time don't be tempted to 'reassure' as this may be mistaken for you being scared too....... Most agressive dogs are actually fearful dogs who haven't been taught how to deal with their problem. Give her commands so she knows the 'right' thing to do - such as 'heel' and work on those commands outside of the scarey situation so it becomes second nature to her.

Keep up the socialisation too :) and as long as it doesnt stress her too much, walk her in areas where there are lots of people, because then she won't have time to react to each and every one. Reward her when she shows calm behaviour and try to relax yourself :)

Lindsay

I also have a dobe that was just like yours, but the home mine come from didnt help, probably due to the way she was treated, what was her previous owner like, but stick with it i did and she is wonderful, hope you do well with her,

I have actually had her since she was 9 weeks old, she has been nervous since coming away from her brothers and sisters (there were 12 of them), it only seems to be certain situations, but thanks for all the comments and I will just stick to her training lessons and keep taking her out into busy areas. She is a lovely dog but quite timid, and the fireworks which have started do not help, and bonfire night is nearly a month away, so we have got fireworks going off every night to look forward to until 5th Nov.

Just one other thing that is on my mind. With her being timid can this in time become aggression, or is it just her age.

So how old is she now and how old was she when you got her???? What sort of things did you have to do to get her to the dog she is now???? It's all questions, questions, questions.

My dog goes to training every week and I keep it up during the week, she goes out for about 3 long walks per day, she has a massive garden to play in, loads of toys to chew on and she shows no aggression to anybody coming to the house, it is only when we are out, anyway I am going to stick at it coz me and the kids think she is fab.

If people dont ask you questions how do you expect them to help???
you started this!!

Madmum, I think Dobe is actually asking Jacqui the questions to find out what Jacqui did to get her dog over its problems and Dobe is just meaning that she herself is asking loads of questions :) I didn't read the posts to mean that Dobe was being critical of the replies she's received. In fact, it seems to me that she is grateful and is just hungry for more information on what she can do to get things right with her pup!!

Lesley

she is now three and is great, just keep doing what your doing and she will come good, but remember you are her boss, i think dobes are very good in trying to reverse rolls. i have a 6 month old dog dobe who was quite timid now he rules the roost and i think they think there human. dont give up as they reward you back in so many ways a million times over, goodluck

Thanks Lesley and Jacqui, (it was me asking all the questions), I feel a lot happier after getting your feedback and I will defo stick at the training. Thanks again.