Fear Aggression
Our lab of 16 years passed away this past January. The first of August we adopted a roughly 2 year old lab mix from a rescue organazation. We know she was from a divorce couple and neither wanted her....
Forum Discussion
An update on Sahara. We went on our first trip of the year. We haven't been out much the last few months due to issues other than Sahara, so I was worried how she would react to people. We walked around the campground 2-3 times a day, and she never had an issue with anyone. She would do the usual Lab bark, sees someone and lets you know they are there, but no agression.
One walk turned out to make the trip. As we were coming down a section, a guy standing at the end of the lane commented to his wife how pretty Shahara was. As they approached with their Golden Retriever puppy, I asked them not to try and pet her and told them why. They understood perfectly and we talked about someone who would harm a dog. Well, Sahara and their pup decided it was playtime, and they started having a big time. It was great to see her so happy playing. About this time, a friend of theirs walked up with a lab and he decided to join in the fun too. The first gentlemen I spoke to, bent down and stuck his hand out for Sahara to sniff. She slowly went up and sniffed, then put her head under his hand for him to pet her. He started petting and she just stood there and enjoyed it.
We had told the 2nd gentlemen who walked up her story, but he went ahead and bent down and stuck out his hand. This time Sahara just walked over, let him start petting her and rubbed up against him. She set there and let him pet her until we left. To say this was the highlight of the trip, would be an underestatement.
I had hoped to get her in the dog park with their dogs, but didn't. Everytime we went to the park, there was always other people in the area and I don't feel comfortable letting her off leash with people in the area.
But, again I saw some progress. I have noticed around other dogs seems to help her accept people. Still working on her training and have also been working on getting her comfortable with a muzzle to take her out to a Lowes or such to be around more people. Almost forgot, Sahara and my wife are best buds. Of course this means my wife now has a 90 lb. lap dog.
One walk turned out to make the trip. As we were coming down a section, a guy standing at the end of the lane commented to his wife how pretty Shahara was. As they approached with their Golden Retriever puppy, I asked them not to try and pet her and told them why. They understood perfectly and we talked about someone who would harm a dog. Well, Sahara and their pup decided it was playtime, and they started having a big time. It was great to see her so happy playing. About this time, a friend of theirs walked up with a lab and he decided to join in the fun too. The first gentlemen I spoke to, bent down and stuck his hand out for Sahara to sniff. She slowly went up and sniffed, then put her head under his hand for him to pet her. He started petting and she just stood there and enjoyed it.
We had told the 2nd gentlemen who walked up her story, but he went ahead and bent down and stuck out his hand. This time Sahara just walked over, let him start petting her and rubbed up against him. She set there and let him pet her until we left. To say this was the highlight of the trip, would be an underestatement.
I had hoped to get her in the dog park with their dogs, but didn't. Everytime we went to the park, there was always other people in the area and I don't feel comfortable letting her off leash with people in the area.
But, again I saw some progress. I have noticed around other dogs seems to help her accept people. Still working on her training and have also been working on getting her comfortable with a muzzle to take her out to a Lowes or such to be around more people. Almost forgot, Sahara and my wife are best buds. Of course this means my wife now has a 90 lb. lap dog.
