rescue dog has just gone for someone in my house

When I got Hollie, she was 6/7 yrs old and extremely dog aggressive. She now lives with three other dogs happily and is fine with other dogs. If they are too full on, she just takes herself away. This is a dog who apparently caused the death of another dog in one of her foster homes. I don't write dogs off, but you do need to know how to deal with them.
 
he has been taking steps in the right direction.
He was in kennels for 6 weeks and had been with his previous owner since he was a puppy so it was a big change for him. I thought he had settled but obviously I was wrong.
I've just spoken to my parents and they're going to take him down to theirs until the painters are done.

I need to nip this in the bud before it gets to the point where he reacts to something and ends up hurting someone - next time we might not be as lucky.
Hopefully I can fix things - it would be a shame to have to give him back.
 
We had a rescue labx who was fear aggressive. We got him when he aged between 1 and 2. It was obviously that he had been badly treated, and didn't like being tied up or men. When putting his lead on, he would cower into the skirting board. He didn't like being cornered. Other than that he was great! We just learnt to manage him. He was always put away when visitors came unless they were dog friendly. Then we would let him in the room when they were already in. They would ignore him and wait for him to come to them, which he invariably did and was always ok. For him it worked best with strangers or visitors ignoring him. He
 
Dont panic. I completely agree that you have had this dog for a relatively short period of time and a lot can be achieved with some good training and management. Most rescue dogs come with quirks but they are also the most rewarding and loyal dogs you will ever find.

If you have any doubts about how to proceed with training now, the best thing you could do is chat with a well qualified behaviourist. Your vet will be able to recommend a good one. Alternatively go with someone who is registered with the APBC ( http://www.apbc.org.uk/info/training_courses ). This means the trainer/behaviourist will have a high level of up to date training and bags of experience. Beware the local crazy trainers that have been watching too much Caesar Milan. :)
 
You (and he) will be fine! 4 weeks is no time at all and he is finding his feet. You just need to take a step back and think about what triggered the behaviour. He sounds like a protective soul and he needs to learn you do not need protecting in that way! Sounds like he's established himself and he is guarding his territory/you from what you say.

You know he is not aggressive I normally as you say how he took to your parents etc. I think the person knocking and entering the room was the trigger and you need to work on this and some training exercises. Get the basics instilled - ie Sit, wait etc. If needs be, put a lead on him when strange people enter YOUR room so he cannot lunge. Once he has settled, the new person needs to be sat, be non-threatening and ignore him. Let him accept them. Mine is 100 times better than she was - she used to bark like mad (for ages) at any stranger and now it's greatly reduced.

Yes, he's a bit older but he is not an overtly aggressive dog. This is all a big life change for him and of course he can learn new rules. He's 7, he's not stupid and certainly not past being re-trained to how YOU want him to be.
 
With regard to my own situation, I don't need or want my dog to be milling around the house when there are workmen in/to be climbing over visitors. Also (on foot of another thread!!), when I can trust people not to say 'Oh but I'm good with dogs/dogs like me/aw, you're a mean mummy for not letting me give cuddles' then maybe I will review my management, but until then, he can have his chill time in a place he feels comfortable :)
 
My rescue dog has always been unnerved by strangers coming into the house, he's fine with anyone outside but if someone, esp a man comes in the house he gets very worried and would show aggression if given the chance. We keep a pen in our back room for him.....full of toys and his bed etc. and enough space to be comfortable. He's very happy to settle in there where he feels safe when anyone comes round. If they are adults staying, I let him mingle after a day or so once I'm confident he's relaxed, but with children around I don't ever take the risk and he stays in the pen while they are in the house.
 
try not to worry. i got my rescue nearly 2 months ago and mostly he is great, but on the lead he had started to pull to try and get to other dogs, and wants to sniff, but when they aren't friendly so i have to hold him back he has started to growl. i really started to worry and spoke to a friend who is a dog trainer, and she said actually her 3 are terrible on the lead, don't worry, just try to distract him with a treat or toy. i think i was getting more worked up, so he was getting more worked up. if he feels me tense on the lead he starts growling as he thinks i'm worried and need protecting. it is work in progress, he is mostly on the farm off lead, but has a night time walk....
so what i'm trying to say is... it is still early days and you need to relax, otherwise if you are feeling anxious about visitors he will get more worried.
with visitors- Harvey barks if he doesn't hear someone coming to the door as they shock him. but from early on people coming round has been the norm and he calmly sniffs everyone with me reassuring him. but he is actually happy to be shut in the bedroom when needed. as agree with cc- not everyone wants a dog in their face! like if i get food delivered. friends he always comes out to see :)
 
thanks for the reassurance/advice guys.

I'm going down to get him tomorrow now that the work has been finished. mum said he's been having a blast chasing leaves in their garden so he's obviously not missing me too much. house is very quiet without him.

I've got him a new Adaptil collar so we'll see if that helps.
 
My boxer is protective of the house and will bite a stranger if they enter, the simple way to deal with it is to not put the dog in tie situation

If my door goes she gets locked away end of, problem sorted. She is 9 now and only nipped one person, the one and only as that's when we found out she would.

A lot of dogs protect the home and there family, they feel the need to.

I'd really not worry about this and in future shut him away in another room .
 
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