Aggressive Australian Shepherd Towards Strangers

by Deb
(Pinetop AZ)

My dog Tucker is a male 4 year old Australian Shepherd that broke his leg as a puppy. He was caged to limit his activity for around 2 months, missing a lot of socialization.

My family members that were here the day he broke his leg and the ones that were living with us at the time are welcomed excitedly when they come over. Strangers or anyone he has not seen in awhile is a different story.

My husband is in his 60's and has health issues. I am in my 50's and have tried walking the dog but when a person gets near he is protective and I am unsure that I can hold him if he decides to be aggressive.

He has to be put in a kennel when strangers or friends come over and barks constantly. He will occasionally quiet down, but the slightest noise or door opening causes a repeated barking session.

I am fearful to take him to the vet for his upcoming shots because of this aggression. People dressed in black with hoods or hats make him horribly aggressive.

We have had this dog since he was a puppy and to my knowledge no one has abused him.

I am very afraid he will bite someone and I am seriously considering having him put down.

We purchased a play mate for him last summer in hopes it would calm his behavior down. It has to a point but he is sending her mixed signals.

My family members are worried that he is going to teach her bad manners. She is a black tri Australian Shepherd with a mellow personality, rarely barks but she is getting skittish around new people. He acts like he wants to attack and she seems confused. When he is kenneled she warms up to people and is fine unless they move quickly or startle her.

Recently we had a family visit that had an 11 year old daughter that was bent on being friendly to the dog one minute and charging her the next. I thought at this point my well mannered lady dog was going to bite her, I then kenneled her.

This is not fair to my company and not fair to my dogs. The mothers comment was we train our dogs not to bite kids. My dogs have not been subjected to kid behavior and this is all new to them.

We are confused. I love my dogs. I do not want to put my Aussie down. But I do not want him to hurt someone because his aggression goes unchecked.

My husband and I both work and I am afraid that his health issues and my strength issues are going to mean that we must put this dog down.

Everyone suggests going to obedience training and that is fine except I can't take the chance that he would bite the trainer or worse yet another person trying to train their dog. I am afraid we have waited to long to address this situation. It is not like I could give him to someone else to train and put in a new home.

I feel responsible for his behavior problems and it will be my responsibility if he bites someone.

He has already jumped at a family member that was wrestling another family member. He took it as an aggressive stance and tried to protect the family member.

He did not break skin but did go for her face. I think we are down to the last straw.

If this behavior is not corrected we will need to put him down. Then I fear that he will bite the vet that has to administer the last shot. Is there a way I can do this at home to protect the people that he may hurt.

I love my dog, He is fine with me for the most part he listens to me but strangers make him crazy. And in the mean time I may lose my best friend.

Thank you for Listening.
Deb