My 6 month Aussie Shepard is aggressive toward people and other animals...?

ausie shepherds are bred to be agressive, not to attack but to control situations with sheep. she will probably never be a cuddly dog with people she doesn't know. I would never expect her too be a real touchy feely dog to strangers, no more than i would expect a mastif to do a cutezy little puddle pranse, lol. She is who she is, and they are really great intellient dogs. You do want to have her around people though or she might get all hermit like and go curmudgion on you, and that's taking her bred in nature to far. I'd just tell people to respect her until she gets to know them, nothing wrong with that unless you are around a lot of stupid people.

You do have to teach her that she doesn't need to protect you, also deep in her nature. that is a process you need to get a book for because i couldn't do it justice here and you need the whole picture.

The quick answer is you need to socialize your dog. By Socialize I mean you need to show her that All Adults, All Dogs, and All Children Love her just as much as you do and do not present a danger to her. As to being protective, she is protecting her pack leader, YOU. Dogs are extremely perceptive, and believe it or not, anxiety runs down the leash like a drop of water right into the dog. You need to take the dog with you everywhere you go. Take the dog walking in your downtown area, take the dog to the park, take the dog with you when you go to the flea market. You don't have to do this every day, about three times a week should begin to show her that meeting new Adults, Dogs, and Children is very exciting and most of all pleasant. If you feel that your dog cannot handle three times a week, then adjust your schedule to her comfort level. Please do not put your dog in a situation that will cause her stress, that will only reinforce her current belief that new Dogs and or People present a threat. Above all, YOU, the Pack Leader, must not show any anxiety at all. If you are not comfortable, how can you expect your dog; the one who would gladly give her life to you, to be comfortable? I show dogs for my hobby and you have no idea how many times I have seen a owner, nervous in showing the dog, have that anxiety run down the leash to the dog and the dog show extremely poor due to this. I know if you do this your dog will be a well socialized animal, who will make you proud.

Of course, some dogs are just nervous and seem to not be able to get over the fear to learn that meeting others can be pleasant. I don't say this lightly, nor do I suggest that this other option be done as a lazy way to get your dog over the fear of meeting other people or dogs. If you speak with your vet and only after several weeks of trying the above suggestions your vet may suggest some medication to help your dog get over her fear of meeting others. I have had to do this with a few of my show dogs. No matter what I tried, the dog just couldn't get over her fears. I still had to work with her and socialize her, the medication only allowed me to get her to get over the immediate fear of meeting others. You should never drug a dog to get it to behave in an acceptable manner, rather you should use the medication to allow her to realize that "others" do not present a danger to YOU or her. One other thought, you do excersize your dog don't you? An extremely boared dog could show the same symtoms as you describe.

She needs to get back into pet training, especially since she is six months now and is coming into her own.

You have a very smart, very high energy breed. She will need a ton of excercise, and a job to do. Look into agility training (I think she has to be a year, but start now).

She needs that to stay focused and mentally well rounded. Otherwise, she is going to act out in ways she shouldn't.

I would find a positive based trainer. The worst thing you can do is treat aggression with aggression.

Australian Shepherds are naturally protective of their family and property - It's one of their many natural instincts embedded in them that comes from guarding/herding livestock.

Aussies are always going to be standoffish towards new people that they meet. The aggression isn't normal though.

I would recommend working one-on-one with a trainer for further training - 1 "Beginning" or "Puppy" class is nowhere enough training for an Aussie!

Is she spayed? She could be going through her first heat right now - causing her to be territorial or even aggressive - just think of it as Doggy PMS.

If she is in fact spayed, you might want to consider a Dog Behavorist? I'm not justifying the Dog Whisperer or anything of that nature, but it couldn't hurt to try it - if she was good during obedience school - then this might work for her.

Have you considered taking her to your local dog park? I know you mentioned avoiding other dogs - but that can only cause the problem to be worse.

You need to socializer her now. Aussies can quickly become very independent and unfriendly without proper socialization. I would start with more obedience training with an experienced professional trainer. Then follow their suggestions and expose her slowly to as many other people and dogs as you can.

http://www.apdt.com/

Your dog may be afraid, many aussies have this problem and it can develop as they get older. Please visit this site to learn how to help your dog. You need to understand counter conditioning, desensitization, triggers and thresholds.

www.fearfuldogs.com