aggressive or fearful pup? - Page 1

We take our 3 year old male GSD to the local farmers' market almost weekly for socialization.  This week we met a gentleman with a young (about 4 months old) female (he said she was from German and Czech lines).  She was fine with people greeting her (little children were pattting her etc.), but when we approached she snapped, growled and barked at our male quite aggressively.  She did that with any other dogs that they passed by her at the market.   Her tail was down (the owner was sitting her to greet people which may have made her feel vulnerable?)  Anyway, I was curious if you folks think she was showing signs of dog aggression or more likely fearfulness?

fear - aggression stemming from fear (fear aggression) - she just needs more socialization with friendly dogs.

molly

Thanks Molly...  that's kinda what we thought.  When she would behave this way, the owner would put his hand under her chin to sort of hold her back and then speak to her in soothing tones.  He said he'd been told not to correct her in any way (?)  Isn't that kind of response reinforcing the behaviour?  I wondered if the number of dogs at the market was just too much for her and she was on doggy overload so to speak.  If she just needs more socialization with friendly dogs, she couldn't get any friendly dogs than the ones who come to the market!  Maybe off leash in a controlled enviroment would help her.  Our male is super friendly (small dogs try to climb on his head and he's very gentle with them), but this little girl would have no part of him or any other dogs.  It was sad to see a pup like that.

This makes me wonder if my 6 mo. female pup is showing fear or aggression in her behavior. She has been taken to the local dog park 3 or 4 times a week for the last 3 months. She has never wanted to play with any of the dogs there, though she plays well with my 4 other dogs at home.  Sometimes I take 2 of my other dogs with us and she will play with them at the dog park. She used to just watch  as the dogs at the park played together , and sometimes she'd sit near me while the other dogs play. and chase each other. Now she will sometimes give chase, but with hackles up and she will nip at the dog she is chasing. I verbally correct her and call her off, but I don't like this behavior. She is meant to be a pet, not aggressive.

leftbarrrelsam:  At least your pup is playing well with your other dogs at home.  I don't know if this pup we met has had other dogs to play with since leaving her litter (which could be part of her problem, I guess).  I'm sure those on this board with lots of experience will have some ideas for you. 

I agree with the fear agression theory. The owner should definitely fix this problem. I suggest a mix of correction and rewards. If it gets to bad, have a pinch collar on her to gently remind her what she is doing is wrong, and when she stops, give her ALOT of praise. It's more of a repetitive thing, and she'll get better slowly, or should.

If your dog "keys" on other dogs much then you likely just have a dog aggressive pup.  For example if a dog "keys" and normally does not bark or growl but does the "whine" noise this would be dog aggressive.

Watch to see if hackles rise or any nerveous issue like unusal running back and forth etc or any nervous issue then I think you have fear aggression.

This is hard to explain but is my opinion.

Are you saying that the hackles going up is a sign of fear aggression?

Yes.. I have observed that happening with dogs that were unsure of the situation  and typically growl or bark and the hackles will stand up.