sudden dog aggression?

Oh the poor thing! I'm a little confused because it seemed like she was aggressive in one encounter but not the other, maybe I just read it wrong. Obviously she does have some issues and it seems like you have come a long way already with the girl! Is she always aggressive or does she sometimes just want to say hi?
When Rory see's another dog she wants to play with she will whine and pull but not aggressive at all.

Usually she whines and cries a lot, but sometimes she will growl and act aggressive or even howl, which I find confusing. I'm sure sometimes she just wants to play, but I don't understand why she would be aggressive only towards some dogs who aren't even being aggressive towards her. I would love to begin socializing her with other dogs, but I don't know how she'll react when she meets a new dog. She didn't have any problems at her foster home, which she shares with a lot of other dogs and some cats.  

Its possible that she is reactive, not aggressive.  I have one that is, and it can sometimes look like aggession.  Its hard to say without seeing the dog.  A good behaviorist can help.
 
I am working very hard to desensitize my reactive girl.  It is a lot of hard work and is a very slow process, but it can be done.  Good luck to ya!

I agree, I think she is more reactive than aggressive. Unfortunately, I live in a country where canine behaviorists, trainers and obedience classes are close to none. Even my dog's foster mom told me horror stories about trainers who were so harsh that their client's dog developed anxiety or died. While I'm looking for more sources, can you tell me how you are desensitizing your reactive dog?    

Disclaimer- I am not a trainer or a behaviorist- I am actually a relatively new dog owner (two years), but I would be happy to share with you what I am doing with Zoey.

We started in the house with no distractions.  I put her on lead (with a martingale collar) in a quiet room.  We would take a few steps and I would make sure she was walking at my side and looking up at me (I would do this by talking to her in a very happy voice and luring her with a treat).  After a few steps I would stop and have her sit.  I would shove treats in her mouth whenever she was walking nicely next to me and focusing on me and when she sat nicely.  We did this for about three days- until I felt she had it down real good.  Then we moved to the back yard where there were distractions and did the same thing.  We stayed in the back yard for a week or more- talk about boring!!!  It was like watching paint dry, for me, but she was really learning. 

Next we walked on the road in front of my house for about a week.  If I saw a dog coming far away I would turn her in the opposite direction and make her sit or walk at heel while focusing on me.  Slowly, slowly, slowly- after lots of practice- I started walking around the block and letting her see other dogs at a great distance and then rewarding her big time when she didn't react.  As time goes on I let her get a tiny bit closer to the other dog before I turn her around and go the other way.  The trickiest part is knowing how close I should let her get without her loosing her mind.  I think when I let her get too close and she goes ballistic it sets back her training a little, so I try to go very, very slowly.

Zoey is making progress, though, and I am so proud of her!  Your dog can get better, too.  If I can do it you can too!  Good luck and keep us posted.  I hope I helped you.

ORIGINAL: luvarescue

Disclaimer- I am not a trainer or a behaviorist- I am actually a relatively new dog owner (two years), but I would be happy to share with you what I am doing with Zoey.

We started in the house with no distractions.  I put her on lead (with a martingale collar) in a quiet room.  We would take a few steps and I would make sure she was walking at my side and looking up at me (I would do this by talking to her in a very happy voice and luring her with a treat).  After a few steps I would stop and have her sit.  I would shove treats in her mouth whenever she was walking nicely next to me and focusing on me and when she sat nicely.  We did this for about three days- until I felt she had it down real good.  Then we moved to the back yard where there were distractions and did the same thing.  We stayed in the back yard for a week or more- talk about boring!!!  It was like watching paint dry, for me, but she was really learning. 

Next we walked on the road in front of my house for about a week.  If I saw a dog coming far away I would turn her in the opposite direction and make her sit or walk at heel while focusing on me.  Slowly, slowly, slowly- after lots of practice- I started walking around the block and letting her see other dogs at a great distance and then rewarding her big time when she didn't react.  As time goes on I let her get a tiny bit closer to the other dog before I turn her around and go the other way.  The trickiest part is knowing how close I should let her get without her loosing her mind.  I think when I let her get too close and she goes ballistic it sets back her training a little, so I try to go very, very slowly.

Zoey is making progress, though, and I am so proud of her!  Your dog can get better, too.  If I can do it you can too!  Good luck and keep us posted.  I hope I helped you.

 
Wow, kudos to you!  You're doing a fantastic job!

ORIGINAL: mondayblues

Usually she whines and cries a lot, but sometimes she will growl and act aggressive or even howl, which I find confusing. I'm sure sometimes she just wants to play, but I don't understand why she would be aggressive only towards some dogs who aren't even being aggressive towards her. I would love to begin socializing her with other dogs, but I don't know how she'll react when she meets a new dog. She didn't have any problems at her foster home, which she shares with a lot of other dogs and some cats.  

The whinning, crying , and pulling is totally normal.....embaressing but normal. If this has been going on for a while and she hasnt had a chance to play with other dogs it could turn into aggression. There is no other time when a dog would hate to be restricted. Let her say Hi, you might find that she caplms down after the first initial kisses but dont let her linger too long or you'll be tangeled in leashs, ha ha! It sounds to me as if she really wants to play. I say find her a buddy to play with at the park, starting out cautiously and let it go from there