Aggression towards strangers, and many strangers coming in a few days...

Snownose, could you elaborate on what you meant by "ruined in a boarding situation"?

 
I never thought there would be a problem. They never called me, by the time I got back, I was told they had a problem getting him out of the kennel, I walked up to his kennel, he was sitting in the back growling.
They could not even take out the bed he was supposed  to be sleeping on, it was soaking wet. That was the bed I brought.
 
I got him out, and it took him a few days to get back to normal.

ORIGINAL: chelsea_b

Oh geesh, I was so not expecting to be told to board her. Maybe it should be, but that's not an option. I don't understand. If I was going to stick her in a cage surrounded by strange people and strange dogs for that time, I might as well just keep her in my room. She's not crate trained, and is not any more comfortable with strangers out of my home than in, so I think boarding her would give her a bite record way more easily then staying home.

Honestly, as much as I hate to admit this, I've been managing this behavior for 7 years. She's never bitten anyone. She obviously has an extremely high bite threshold, because either by my stupidity or others', she has been in situations many times where I'm now impressed that she didn't bite.

She's never been away from me or my family. I've never even had a friend look after her while I go out of town. Either a family member (one of my sisters or my mother) takes care of her, she comes with me, or I don't go anywhere.

I do appreciate the advice, but I'm not boarding her. Guess she'll just stay in my room the whole time.

Thanks.

I think people suggested the boarding option as a way to keep you from being tempted to bring her out of the bedroom and in to a situation she might not be able to handle. But, if you can keep her there, and make sure no one opens the door, then go for it.  My dogs have spent a few hours in a spare stall in the barn, or in their basement kennels (normally used for marrow bone chewing on the rainy or snowy days), without any harm.  Incidentally, boarding does not always mean that the dog must go to a kennel environment.  There are some very savvy dog folks in my area who board dogs in a home environment, and they take in a very limited number of dogs.

Oh geesh, I was so not expecting to be told to board her. Maybe it should be, but that's not an option. I don't understand. If I was going to stick her in a cage surrounded by strange people and strange dogs for that time, I might as well just keep her in my room. She's not crate trained, and is not any more comfortable with strangers out of my home than in, so I think boarding her would give her a bite record way more easily then staying home.

 
I guess I'm not sure what you were hoping to find here. While it's easy to clicker train a dog to push a drawer shut, training them (quickly) to like people takes a long time.
 
Sorry none of us could provide what you needed/wanted.
 
Good luck and enjoy your weekend!

I can't say that Floyd is reactive, but he shows discomfort for strangers. He sheds in uncomfortable surroundings, tail posture changes etc. Like you I start him in the bedroom but keep the door open as long as I know that no one will go in there. He comes out at his own pace. I would keep the door shut if I couldn't trust my visitors. I love Floyd to the bottom of my heart but I don't 100 percent trust him. It's not his fault. He's territorial by genetics, yet fearful.
 
Perhaps with super training, Floyd would get over his fear. Perhaps not. Sometimes you can't make a rescue dog into the same dog as they'd have been if you'd started as a puppy. Perhaps and even probably, Floyd isn't a good example of his breed. Acknowledge what Cherokee is, accept it.and enjoy what you have. It is worth more than ribbons.
 
Floyd has a bite history before I got him. He bit the animal control officer. One nip and he's a dead dog and I'm devastated. So, although he's never shown aggression in the home, I'd absoulutely not allow him in the situation you describe. He had cancer and the pain I went through trying to imagine a way that it would be OK for him to die convinced me to guard his safety at all times.
 
I wish you the best with this circumstance.

Acknowledge what Cherokee is, accept it.and enjoy what you have. It is worth more than ribbons.

Stacita, believe me, I've had this dog for 7 1/2 years, and never had any hope til very recently that she'd ever be any better than she is. I love her to death, and while I don't have other dogs to compare her too, I feel sure she's what you all would call my "heart dog". I accept her as she is, and honestly I didn't start this thread looking for suggestions on how to "fix her" in a weekend. After 7 1/2 years, I know what she is and what she isn't, and know she isn't "fixable", and that's perfectly fine with me.

The fact is, most of the people who will be around are people she's known and liked in the past. We even lived with a few. I just know she won't remember them after 2+ years, and therefore was trying to get suggestions on how to bring the clicker into reintroducing her to them.

But I guess my point is I'm not going to force her into situations she's not comfortable in, and I'm not going to isolate her from people she used to love. I posted this in the clicker section, because I don't have the slightest clue how to use a clicker in this type of situation. I need more books, obviously, but it's a bit late for ordering them. I know how to use treats, and will use them, I just don't know when to click, or what to click for, so I guess I just won't pull the clicker out.

My plan is still to have her head collared and tethered to me, with bags full of high-value treats, around people she used to love but doesn't remember. I may or may not, depending on the situation, bring her around people she never knew, or never particularly liked. I sure won't put anyone, dog or person, in danger. 

Honestly, I feel like you all are giving me way too little credit. 7 1/2 years I've had this dog, and dealt with this behavior. Either I'm really good at not letting her bite, or she's really good at not biting. Maybe both. It doesn't matter, I'm not looking for a pat on the back, I should have spent the last 7 1/2 years trying to rehabilitate her. I didn't, because I didn't know there was any hope. Ignorance isn't an excuse, I'm just saying.

I really do appreciate all your suggestions, and it's not about not getting the answers I wanted. If I knew what answers I wanted, I wouldn't have asked. I could have answered my own question. [] Honestly, the thought of boarding her has never even crossed my mind, so I was surprised when 13 or 14 replies in a row suggested it. I can't imagine boarding a stranger-aggressive, dog-aggressive dog, who's never been in a crate, or away from me and my family since I got her. I just wouldn't do that. (Yes, I did read Anne's reply about boarding not necessarily meaning crate, but I don't have any idea where I'd look for that kind of situation, especially on such short notice, and with a dog-aggressive dog.)

Thank you all again.

Sorry I never replied to your question earlier, I guess I just don't really have experience with this issue. I wouldn't have thought to board her either, seeing as you have an entire house where she can go if she's not comfortable.
 
She will probably spend most of the weekend in your room. As far as opportunities for improvement, maybe one or two dog savvy people could hang out in the backyard while she's out there..... I don't know, I just find my dog is generally more comfortable and less territorial while in the backyard as opposed to the house. They shouldn't crowd her or make big attempts to play, but just hang out there while she does her business, see if she approaches them, maybe throw a ball around....?

Maybe you could get a DAP diffuser and some valerian to help keep the dog calm. Maybe put the DAP diffuser in the bedroom with the dog.

 

Well, the boarding people are people that deal with dogs for a living, so it's not such a horrible idea. Another thing to consider is that dogs behave differently when their owners are not around. Recently I started a thread in which I mention that my dog is much easier to be examined by the vet when I'm not around. He was just recently boarded for several days and the staff was telling me that they saw no reactive episodes like the ones I see when he sees other dogs while he's with me.

On the other hand, having the dog by your side, no matter how high value the treats are, posses a number of practical problems.

Boarding your dog is not a terrible thing to do, it is in many cases a simple fact of dog ownership.

I understand your concern for the option of boarding your aggressive girl. Personally it's not something I would consider either for my reactive girl.  But I also understand what others are saying in that you can't possibly teach her to like people by the time they come and go (of which I'm sure you're aware of that). I've been working with my Gaci now for 2.5 years and she'll never "like" people (but I'm happy to say that she's light years from where we began), but as much work as my life has been with her, you betcha I've never had a relationship with a dog like I do with her, I feel so strongly for her you would not believe it (well, maybe you would.....).
 
I would try to set her up a room of her own (or in your room...is there anywhere in the house you know visitors WON'T be?). Give her all her favorite toys, beds, water, etc. You could even play some music at a low level in the room or have the TV on in the background. Make sure you can get in to give her attention when you can, and try your best not to forget to do the things you need to do with her - get her out for those daily walks or that outdoor play session, and do your best to do it by yourself (or with a family member she trusts and likes). Make sure she's comfortable. When taking her outdoors, try to take the path of least resistance - heck, if you have to just tell the guests that when you take the dog outside, you'd prefer they didn't interact with her, and you could even go so far as to request they go into another room. Put a sign on the door she's in to NOT go in there without asking you. If you can, lock the door yourself so people physically cannot get at her (some people are determined that "all dogs love them" no matter what you say to them). Keep treats on you at all times so that when you DO get the chance you can reward for good behaviour (her not reacting) when you have to take her by other people. And I would most certainly use a leash to get her from point A to point B in the home.
 
This type of set-up is much better than a boarding situation, in that YOU as her caregiver and trusted family are still giving her her needs (even if the play session and walks are shorter), and she's away from the hustle and bustle, but yet she's in the comfort of her own home and can relax in a room of her own. That's what I would aim for. I would NOT aim for getting her to meet n' greet people, but I wouldn't aim for her being boarded either. I do have issues with boarding known reactive dogs, for their well being as well as the boarder's (I have heard horror stories of all sorts when it comes to boarding reactive dogs, including the boarder taking it upon themselves to "punish" or "fix" the behaviours).
 
That's just what I'd do though. Unless you had a good friend that you know your dog likes, that knows how your dog is, that could hold her for a few days at their home.
 
Kim

I think this is what the OP is looking for.  Ideas on how to work with the dog while she has people there to help her.

I also think folks will be in and out of the home for up to two weeks.

Really, the object is to do the best for the dog, with minimal stress, and minimal likelihood that whatever stressors there are will not push her over the edge to a bite.  The plus - she has never bitten.  The minus - she has barked and lunged at people in a less stressful situation than is anticipated to occur this time.
Without seeing her in action, it's hard to know what she will really do if confronted with the scenario our OP describes, but, hopefully she knows her dog well enough to have a gut feeling what will be in the dog's best interest.
eley is quite right about dogs behaving better with others than with their owners.  Happens all the time in grooming shops - owner stays, dog fidgets; owner leaves, dog settles.

eley is quite right about dogs behaving better with others than with their owners. 

 
But I do think this quite applies to different situations. Aggression is something that might not fit that mold that well, as well the root of the aggression is a large factor. If a dog is truly aggressive to a person, and if that aggression is stemming from fear (which it seems most human-based aggression does), then giving the dog off to the fear-illiciting stimulus wouldn't be the wisest choice, for the person handling the dog, but most especially the dog itself. I would hate to make the problem much worse in such a way.
 
But yes, I agree that I hope the OP knows her dog well enough to know what she should and/or shouldn't do in this situation. Most people who live with known aggressive dogs are quite responsible, especially if they are conscientious in making their dog's life as good as possible.

Let me try my newfound appreciation for clicker training and my limited understanding. Limited, as I'm still learning how much is possible.
 
Shadow is skittish in public, such as when we go to Petco. So, the last couple of weekends, I've brought along a pocket full of treats and the clicker.
 
When I catch him being calm or downing himself (a sign of being calm), I click and treat that. Though you may keep Cherokee secured with leash and GL, or whatever your using, keep you eye open for limited circumstances with calm moments and click and treat that. You may not accomplish a miracle in one weekend. Even if you never feel comfortable enough to let her go unrestrained, the worst thing that is going to happen is that she will be well-fed and sleepy and she may get the hint that this scenario could be a good thing if she keeps getting goodies to eat.
 
Shadow hates kennels. He shuts down, hard. But he's all about steak, which was what it took to bring him out of his funk from his neuter op. He had to spend a night in the kennel. It's less traumatic to leave him in the yard for a day or two with a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on him.
 
In your case, you may very well keep her restrained but let it also be an opportunity for her to learn that clicker equals good and then be a treat-flinging maniac when she exhibits the calm behavior, first clicking to mark that what she is doing is correct and that she is getting a treat. And let everyone know to leave her be. You could cook a couple of steaks for her and have them sliced up into small pieces for quick c & t sessions.
 

How did this thread become about me explaining myself? [&o]
 
I appreciate that you all are looking out for my dog, I really do, but I am Cherokee's biggest fan, and I'm not going to put her in a situation where she is uncomfortable or unhappy. I strongly believe that if I started working with Cherokee on her issues when I first got her, she would be a totally different dog today. But I didn't, and she's not, and that's perfectly okay. But the fact is, I only made her problems worse by isolating her for 7 years, so I'm now trying not to isolate her so much, but I will not force her into a situation she can't handle, and I will not put anyone in danger (least of all my family).
 
I should have mentioned that anyone I'm considering letting her around is fully aware of how Cherokee is. I lived within an hour of all of them for the first 5 years I had her. We're a close family, and saw each other a lot. The only people she was never fine around are my three youngest cousins (they're 6, 7, and 16..wild brothers). When they're around, Cherokee won't be. And if she's in my bedroom, I will lock the door, as the younger two are pretty darn mischievous (though here's to hoping their parents actually decide to supervise them for once in their lives..sigh). But even if Cherokee were bombproof, she'd not be around those boys much, so no worries.
 
If I come on here in a week or two saying she bit someone, feel free to say "I told you so", or better yet, smack the crap out of me. But it won't happen. I won't let it.

Thank you, Ron. Very helpful post. []
 
I'm really not trying to turn my dog's behavior around in a weekend. It ain't gonna happen, I know that. All I was thinking is this might be a good opportunity to have her around a few choice people. The great thing about these people is I know them, they know Cherokee, but Cherokee doesn't remember, or maybe sort of remembers them. I don't get this opportunity..uhm..ever, so I figured maybe I should take advantage of it to do a little desensitizing with the clicker. I just have no idea where to start. That's honestly all I was asking.