5 month old puppy displaying fear aggression?

I agree with Launi, about the alpha roll, while some believe it is out dated and dangerous I do not, the only way it is dangerous is like in anything else, not knowing how to do it properly. Also the alpha roll should not be done on a highly aggressive dog, but that is obvious. Placing you're dog on her back won't do anything. With the alpha roll, you place the dog on his/her side, feet facing away from you, you place on hand on the rear and one on the neck or head, hold till the dog submits, if the dog persists in the same bad behavior do it over again till they give up and calm down. We teach this at our dog training club, never called it the alpha roll, but I have seen great results first hand.

This does not seem like fear aggression to me, more as what others have said, that she is being fearful. If this was aggression she would be doing more than just a warning snap and growling.

Actually you're father working with the pup would not be a bad idea, but only with the help of a good trainer. When my youngest weimaraner was in a skittish/insecure phase, It was told to me by my mentor to try handing her off to someone else to walk with her, basically take her away from me for a little while. I handed her off to a friend, after her obedience class, while I was in another class with another dog. This person walked with her outside and took her to the agility building a few doors down. She basically played with her and petted her, etc. It worked and now my girl is great with other people.

Fear Aggression In Dogs

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

5 month old puppy displaying fear aggression?

I could write an entire novel, but Ill try to keep it short and factual.

I bought a puppy from a breeder Mid-December named Emmy. Emmy is an Australian Shepherd and currently about 5 months old. I also have a 2 year old Aussie and a 13 week old Aussie (from my own litter).

Emmy is generally a...

You need to be sure that you are diagnosing the problem correctly... could it be protective of you or your room? Have you tested that theory with other people coming into your room? Also, pinning a dog in the corner is probably not the best idea, especially by someone who is 'aloof' when it comes to dogs.

If it really is the fear aggression, then what your mentor suggested should work... But I would make it a much more structured environment than just your dad walking around with treats in his pockets waiting to go into the same room as her...

It's not about whether or not I LIKE the idea of rolling a dog onto its back.

It's about the fact that I think it is very much the WRONG answer to your problem.

Given your misunderstanding of the "alpha roll" and your snide remark about people not answering if they don't like it, I would have to say that I *do* think this is out of your control. YOU are getting emotional about the events, I can see it in your writing. That elevated state is very likely part of your dogs problem. *I* think you need an outside observer to be able to see these things and help you change your behavior accordingly.

If I were to place my bets, I would guess that if I had personally seen these events I would tell you that the way you and your dad both behaved during these few events was what many dogs would consider to be "unstable". Your dog coming to the conclusion that your dad is unstable combined with your reaction would quite well explain what's going on here.

But, I wasn't there. I didn't see it. So I can't say for sure. This is what a good trainer can do for you.

I have no doubt your "breeder"s poor puppy-rearing habits are not working in your favor, either.

I think a professional trainer is great. And, I know your Dad isn't a "stranger," he did come into the dogs' bedroom. Aussies tend to be one-man, one-family dogs. Although many Aussies are friendly with everyone, the Australian Shepherd as a breed tends to be somewhat reserved and cautious around strangers. With Aussies of this nature, owners should encourage the dog to meet people but not force encounters. Aussies are often quite protective of their family and property, a desirable trait in some situations but not acceptable in others, and some dogs never accept strangers. As with all dogs, poorly socialized Aussies may become aggressive without proper training.

http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/austshepherds...

Don't like my answer, don't ask on a public forum.

You don't know how to do the things you're doing properly and IMHO you are CREATING these problems with your actions.

Alpha rolling? Out dated in the first place but I'll pretend it's not. You are not doing it correctly and it should be only be done by a professional. It is very dangerous when not done properly to not only the dog but YOU and any one near you when you do it.

Smacking the dog when she's scared of your dad? That's only INCREASING her fear of him. A verbal correction should stop her. If not get up and remove her. She's only going to associate your dad with being hit if you continue that.

When she gets caught doing wrong, you're not correcting her. You are SCARING her and for some reason she's associating it with your dad.

I think you should re-evaluate your training methods. Herding breeds are intelligent and they were bred to work with their handlers. They crave it. They're main focus is YOU. That makes them so easy to train. Using "harsh" methods on them doesn't work. If this was a different breed your methods might work, but not on the herders.

Your mentor would be right on how to correct this, but you need to knock off what you are doing.

just another thought

Herding breeds do very well with positive reinforcement training and clicker training. I know both are seen as a fluffy way of training but aussies are NOT hard dogs, they are soft same thing with my heart breed. They're just soft dogs that want to work with you. If mine didn't freak out over a clicker I'd use it LOL

I am not being rude but giving constructive criticism. First, you are not doing the alpha roll correctly.

Not even close. So, I highly suggest you and your father stop it. The alpha roll done incorrectly can elevate the problem. When doing the roll, you do not put the dog on it's back. It is the side. There is very distinct finger placement and never use the palm. You also have to stay in the position until the dog completely submits. Again, stop it. You are not doing it correctly.

She is not fear aggressive she is FEARFUL. The growling is fear. Dogs will do one of three things when fearful: Avoid, flight or fight. She is in the flight mode. NOT the fight mode.

I do believe at this point a professional trainer would be a very good idea. In my opinion, hon, you are doing nothing right.

In my experience, fear aggression would manifest itself in other ways...she'd be afraid of other things, objects, or even other people as opposed to just one man. Since she's not, I'd say it's not necessarily fear aggression.

I'd be almost willing to be that your dad just has that 'air' about him, and she's frightened of it. My father has the same thing...3/4 of our dogs are very timid and submissive around him. They simply don't trust him--most of their interactions have been him scolding them or them watching him yell out of anger.

I have to agree with your mentors. He doesn't have to let Emmy walk all over him, but he should have some positive experiences with her.

I agree with your mentor also your father should not be the one to correct her sinse she fears him, it will only make it worse, he needs to play good guy and you play bad guy and then when she is confident enough around him (which could take weeks to months) then he may correct her if needed, but if she's fine with him it wont be needed.

Also she could sense the alpha in him (which most men just ooze) and she may not like it. Is she a dominant character?? Either way do what your mentor has said, also your dad could take over her feedings so she can see she needs this man in order to be fed.