Agression and lab/pitbull mixes training tips?
Question by ME: Agression and lab/pitbull mixes training tips?
I have recently gotten a lab/pit bull mix from my father’s friend, here recently her aggression has gotten worse toward other dogs and people she doesn’t know. She has had a tough first year of life bouncing from home to home and person to person, and suffers from severe separation anxiety. I was hoping there were some tips you guys would be able to give me on how to address her aggression. She has been fixed, and is about two years of age. Thank you for the advice in advance. 
Best answer:
Answer by Bunny Lady
There are so many different reasons dogs are aggressive.
She may be a dominant girl, can’t tell you without seeing how she is. She may be fearful. If you love her, it may be worth getting a professional trainer to show you how to handle her. DO NOT GIVE HER TO TRAINER, she’s been tossed around too much and trainers that board to train I don’ trust. A good trainer will teach YOU how to change the way YOU handle her. Without meeting her it’s hard to say why she is aggressive but here are some tips to make sure she sees you a the pack leader which is when dogs see you as the leader in a given situation and won’t try to be in charge.
She eats after you do
She goes through any open door after you do
She is not allowed on the couch or bed until you invite her
She is not allowed to jump up on you
Walking your girl is essential and she must learn to heel and always be walking next to you never ahead of you.
On a walk if she is looking at another dog coming in your direction, you need to get her to look at you and ignore the dog, let her know you got it covered and you are the leader and will protect her. Give a correction to leave it. When she does give praise.
So while on a walk, when there are no distractions, practice this evey time (everyday) walk, stop, make her sit, continue walking, ask her to look at you, point to your eyes and when she looks in your eyes, give happy praise and give her a treat, something new, like cheese which you will give only on these walks. Call this process “Watch Me” or whatever you want to call it and she will learn it. Eventually she will get the feel that she doesn’t need to be concerned about new people and dogs because you got it covered. Eventually when you walk somewhere with her and a distraction is near, you will ask her to “Watch” and she will not be thinking about the other dogs.
If you want her to play with other dogs, there are places you can go where students learning to be dog trainers need to have hands on experience and would work with your dog in a pack environment in the school setting. Look up a school near you for dog training and call to see if there is program like this. Google Anthony Jerome – he has a school like this and has a Free Boot Camp every Sunday where he and his students will show you how to handle situations. (These are not dog training schools, these are schools teaching people to be dog trainers).
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
JVZoo Product Feed
First I would suggest getting someone who trains dogs to come to your home. since she sounds like she wouldnt do the best at dog training classes. She needs to be socalized and when she sees other animals or people the need to stay still have her smell them and become calm when she does that reward her. Being as old as she is it might take some time. but have friends come over and then slowly have them bring a pet over that they can controll that way she knows the person is ok but only has to get used to the other animal. You have to take time with dogs like that but There is hope now. I would do it as soon as possible, when she gets used to that look for a place that is pit friendly and take her to classes they can help you a lot farther.