Question for you since you sound like an expert: my dog is a mix — approx. 2 - 3 years old and often quite playful, i.e., jumping, running around, etc. She’s from a shelter, no known history; was just “turned in as a stray” in south central Los Angeles.
She has a problem, however, with some aggression. She has gone after a few males of all ages and nipped (or tried to nip at) their legs. Only once has she actually drawn blood (like a tiny cut)and a couple of times has put a tiny hole in clothing.
We have had her in a class with a great trainer, and she KNEW he was in charge and never acted up one time. But here at home, when on the street or if someone comes to the house, she has to be watched closely.
Trainer said her breeds (DNA test says dominant German Shepherd, then equal parts Chow, Shar Pei and Tibetan Spaniel) make her the way she is and not much can be done to completely train the traits out of her.
Do you agree? Are we foolish for not having this dog put down? Trainer said we must keep her on a short leash and/or keep her away from all visitors as there are many dogs who are good dogs but simply cannot ever be completely well-socialized.
We agonized about taking her back to the shelter early on but it’s been 7 months now and we have grown attached to her. She is very protective of women and immediate family. She has never nipped at a female at all.
Any advice? Like the Pits you describe, this dog nips without warning — like it’s some instinct she has that when a male makes a quick move or gets too close to a female in the area, she rushes over and nips. I fear that some male child will rush up to her on the street and there will be real trouble that I can’t prevent. Whenever I even see a kid get halfway close I yell, “get back, this dog bites!” It’s not fun to walk her, that’s for sure, and she loves to go for walks.