Opinions: Protective or Aggressive? - Page 2

Molly is correct but given her young age and if you do a lot more exposure to things maybe she will improve.

I have heard that dogs can go through a second fear period around this age due to cognitive development. I haven't really experienced that, so I don't know how true it is, but I've heard of it. Perhaps the potentially new cognitive growth period, along with confronting a person BOTH of you did NOT like, and your young child in the mix also, who perhaps your puppy percieves as someone that needs protection--- it was too much to handle. I sympathize with your puppy :-) I'm probably standing over there with the slappin' crowd of people, LOL.

7 mo. is a time for this to manifest itself. She should not have hakles up. You may have created some of this when you grabed her leash, telling her there is something to be concerned about. When they have no place to retreat to they will show this fear if the fear is in them. When you socialize you might want to give her loose lead, making it fun, nothing to worry about. Take her to places where there will be people that have heavy bike gear, running and playing on a loose lead. When you tighten up on leash this alerts her to some type of trouble, not knowing what and lacking in confidence it will come out as it did. Only tighten up on lead when you bring her to you to praise her and laugh and grab her in playful manner.

Olskoolgsds, nice post.

yes, good post Olskoolgsds.

Olskoolgsds, Yes, I thought that myself after it happened and wondered if I immediately made her feel she had something to worry about. I can definitely see how this would happen. I just know this lady is very "weird" about German Shepherds and has this image in mind of what bad dogs they are, therefore my not caring for her and having her around my dogs at all. I'm sure this all played a big roll in my dog's reaction to the situation. Perhaps in hindsight, if I'd just called her to me and let her sniff them loose, keeping an eye on her as she does obey well when called, etc. I was just unsure how the lady would act and tried to cover my bases first. Later, I was thinking how my girl acts in the yard if someone approaches. She immediately goes up to them barking but, once accepted by me, she calms down. However, she is never on a leash at that point. Only other thing is when she's in the kennel but, she always barks when others approach at that time, as expected to alert me. I just don't think she likes this lady...which I cannot blame her. I believe she senses the lady's dislike of her. The only reason the lady came over anyway was to let her son see her. Also, the dog isn't afraid of 4 wheelers as we ride them ourselves all the time and she comes along with us at times. Helmuts though, she has never seen before.

..to bad cities don't have Mounted Patrol with a K9... now that would bring the real sport into view for the public awarement. *o* I'm going to write a letter now. Thanks for the idea everyone!