I don't know what to do

Hi Mary--I think starting with the thyroid is an excellent idea especially considering this is a change in her over what she was before.

There is a short, inexpensive book called Fiesto Fido.  Now, it's not going to solve your problem overnight.  In fact, I bought it and to be honest the protocols where hard for me to follow for my situation.  But, it does teach how to break the concentration and get the dog to focus on you.  And, while it doesn't teach the dog to like other dogs it does teach you how to teach them to quietly walk by another dog without causing a scene.  Not, that she'll what to meet other dogs, but she'll be able to stand them enough to go past on a hike. 

The other thing I have for Willow is called the Webmaster Harness.  They are really nice harnessess and they are made for big dogs.  It has a handle on the top of the dogs back so you can lift her up like a suitcase without having to put her into your arms.  They give you TONS of control. It has two straps that go around the dogs body so they can't step out of it and it doesn't loosen if they pull.  If you want me to dig up the website I will for you.  I paid about $40 or so for mine, worth every penny in usefullness and quality. 

Good luck with Molly.

Lori

marynh

thank you for the support everyone..I've hesitate posting about this cause I 1/2 expected to get ripped to shreds.

I will support you in whatever you do.

I'm sorry you are going through this.  I don't have tons of advice because I'm far from experienced.  I do work with people, however, who often have problem behaviors.  I just want to say don't discount drugs entirely.  There may be one that will solve the problem or go a long way towards it.  Think of all the people we know who need drugs to function well.  You might also be able to desensitize her when she's on a med, and decrease it over time.  I respect your wish not to medicate her, but it can be a viable alternative. 

marynh

After I talked to Callie my oldest son came for a visit 'oy what a nightmare. I had left Molly's muzzle in the car and as many times as she sees my oldest son (doesn't live here) she overreacts when he comes over.

I got her to sit, stay but as soon as I tried to open the door she is lunging at it. Kevin at least understands what is going on.

Back to sit/stay and wait a second for her to calm down, reach for door she lunges. Pull her back sit/stay, etc.

I had to pick her up and put her in the 1/2 bath so I could go get her muzzle before Kevin could come inside!!!

Once he was in and she realized all was well she kept bringing him toys, lay on her back so he could rub her belly. Played with him.

I'm so confused. Oh and I have thrown out my back picking her up before (70 lb. dog). I had to once pick her up by her harness when walking her to get her into the woods so people could walk by us on a logging ROAD (not just a skinny trail). She goes beyond just a yappping dog. She is a step beyond Cujo

Have you had her hearing and eyesight checked? That she spazzes out at first encounter and then settles down really nicely started me thinking... maybe she overreacts because she is having trouble interpreting her environment. As one of my dogs got older and blind/deaf he was prone to growling at random things, from bushes in the yard to noises from the television. While it's a far cry from the trouble you're having with Molly, it wouldn't hurt to check if you're already bringing her in to the vet.

My thoughts are with you, I know how hair-tearingly frustrating and heartbreaking it can be to have your "good" dog start going nutso. Best wishes for you guys and finding a solution, whatever it may be.

Obviously I agree with getting her a complete physical, bloodwork, etc., but if nothing comes of that, have you tried actually desensitizing? As in not just exposing her to things and hoping she gets used to them, but teaching her that they're GOOD things by giving her lots of treats, praise, toys, whatever when they're near. I'm not trying to criticize at all. Cherokee's aggressive also, so I totally understand your situation. Molly sounds A LOT like Cherokee. Difference is maybe that Cherokee was never fine or normal, so I never thought I'd have a normal, personable dog. She's been outwardly aggressive since day one. She was aggressive towards me and everyone else when I first met her. In her 8 years with me, we've neutralized some triggers, but some have gotten worse.

 I'm certainly not the perfect owner, but it's managed, and euthanizing her has never been an option for me. She's never seriously bitten anyone, she goes into my bedroom (our version of a crate, I guess) when we have people she doesn't know over, and I just don't take her to busy public places. I think you need to lose the idea of having a "normal" dog. Molly's not normal, but she doesn't sound unmanageable to me. Just my two cents.

Mary, I don't have any suggestions but I just want to say how very sorry I am that you and Molly are having such a hard time.  It has been so obvious from day #1 how much you love her and what high hopes you had for the two of you as a team. We'll be keeping fingers and paws crossed that you can find a workable solution and know that whatever you ultimately decide, I'm behind you 100%.

Joyce

If she has a complete physical checkup and she's fine then I do have a suggestion.

Have you ever seen the show "It's Me or the Dog"? It comes on animal planet and it's a British behaviorist (the show is set in England). I've seen several episodes with dogs behaving the way Molly is- lunging and aggressing at people walking by. I would highly recommend watching the show to see some of her techniques. They are very, very effective. One of the main things she does is that as soon as the dog displays any sort of aggressive behavior or that it's uncomfortable (body tensing) she abrubtly turns around and walks the other way. She walks a little way and then turns back around and tries again. Usually after about 10-15 minutes the dog is much calmer and can actually walk right by people. She doesn't give the dog a chance to get stressed out or have the opportunity to lunge, growl, bark, etc. at people. I can't say that I'm exactly sure how the technique helps to desensitize the dog, but in every case that I've seen, it does. And with a technique like hers, it's not some prong popping, alpha rolling, harsh technique that could potentially do more harm than good. It's a fairly mild technique.

Oh, geesh, Mary.  I'm sorry you're going through this.  Poor Molly.  I have a feeling she isn't very happy with what she's going through, either.  I really don't have any advice other that what others have suggested.  Just wanted you to lend some support.

what if you get a  Pet Pager, spend a few days at home teaching her to turn and look at you when you make it vibrate? and then if she goes into a reactive frenzy you Page her?   It's very intrusive, the vibration, and may be enough to "snap" her out of her behavior.

 I really like Mudpuppy's idea. Those pagers are a very cool thing, particularly for novice trainers (like me!) who are not near experienced enough to use something like an e collar properly, but could use some help getting attention at a distance (whether the distance is physical or mental).

I also have to say, that Emma was almost euthanised for her behavior, when she was young. I could not remove her from a crate without being bitten. I couldn't attach a leash to her, or detach a leash. Her nails hadn't been clipped in months, because it involved literally *sitting* on her, muzzling her, and 20 minutes of struggling. Usually, we were both bleeding by the time it was over, and anal glands were everywhere. She was *bad*. Turns out, she had a very manageable health problem. Yesterday, a dog got very reactive over her walking onto an established territory. All the dogs around got into a huff, but Emma reacted *very* well. The new dog would bark and lunge, and Emma watched me, like she was taught to. It was a proud day, for us. Soon, she will begin competition obedience. 

Some  of the health problems these randomly bred dogs end up with  can solve the mystery of  behavior problems. I hope Molly's is as easy a fix as Em's.

many many good suggestions which I shall print out.

#1 I am going to the classes which start tonight. Molly doesn't go tonight so we 2-legged beasts can talk to the trainer and express our concerns. I wasn't going to go but the lady I deal with at the shelter talked me into at least trying. Personally I think this will be hard on Molly as we will be in a room full of stressors for her but I can discuss this with the trainer tonight.

#2 Saturday I have to take 3 cats to the vet so will discuss various options with the vet from the testing I want done along with possibly medicating until we get through the classes or can move onto something else.

#3 I will look into the reading material when I recoup my funds from paying for the class and upcoming physical work (can we say 2nd job).

#3 I was given the name of a trainer in southern NH I have emailed and my son (one who visited last night) actually called me tonight to tell me about her as people he works with have gone to her and been thrilled with the results).

I don't want to give up on my Moll....last night she was laying on the sofa between me and DH (she's not allowed on our beds nor the furniture unless we invited her up) she had her head on my shoulder and was sound asleep. I told DH I can't give up on her w/out a fight of some sort.

Luvntzus

If she has a complete physical checkup and she's fine then I do have a suggestion.

Have you ever seen the show "It's Me or the Dog"? It comes on animal planet and it's a British behaviorist (the show is set in England). I've seen several episodes with dogs behaving the way Molly is- lunging and aggressing at people walking by. I would highly recommend watching the show to see some of her techniques. They are very, very effective. One of the main things she does is that as soon as the dog displays any sort of aggressive behavior or that it's uncomfortable (body tensing) she abrubtly turns around and walks the other way. She walks a little way and then turns back around and tries again. Usually after about 10-15 minutes the dog is much calmer and can actually walk right by people. She doesn't give the dog a chance to get stressed out or have the opportunity to lunge, growl, bark, etc. at people. I can't say that I'm exactly sure how the technique helps to desensitize the dog, but in every case that I've seen, it does. And with a technique like hers, it's not some prong popping, alpha rolling, harsh technique that could potentially do more harm than good. It's a fairly mild technique.

I normally don't like TV Trainers, but I really like this one.  I used that same method for some of the dogs in my class, and it works wonders!  I had a Mini Schnauzer who would bark, bark, bark the entire class.  I couldn't get a word in!  He would also act aggressively towards the other dogs.  Every time he would bark, no words, just turn and walk away about 10 ft and come back.  The first time, there was lots of walking away, but it really did help.  By the last class, he didn't bark at all!  I have done the same thing with Colton because he's decided to become a bit leash reactive and it really helped.  He no longer reacts if I'm walking just him.  Now, I just have to work on it when I'm walking him and Rose at the same time. 

 One way you could get her walks in for now without letting her practice the unwanted behavior is taking her late at night....

Mary I am terribly sorry that you are having such a hard time. Look into medical reasons as to why this may be occuring as many have posted. 

The only thing I would like to mention is to be aware of how you feel and how you react when someone knocks or when a bike goes by or when you meet someone while out on a walk. Dogs read so much off of us and many people are unaware of the signals they may be sending the dog. I have seen many aggressive dogs who when you really watched the handler you could see how the handler spots another dog approaching, and tightens up the leash which sends the signal to the dog that the handler is concerned therefore the dog becomes concerned. Try and stay very calm regardless of the behaviour your dog is showing. This could explain how your dog can accept someone after they have been in the house for a few minutes where she will not when they are trying to come in. This is by no means the complete cure but your emotional state is very important when working with an aggressive or fearful dog and sometimes knowing this is half the battle.

 I wish you all the best and you have my support.