got it - i do a similar thing with my dogs most saturday afternoons

Hi there,

Our rescue dog has fear aggression. Do not use sprays etc it will make her more likely to bite first, instead of giving a warning. I would use a Training Lead in the park so she could have some freedom, and you could stop her running up to people snarling. People who understand dogs will just ignore her displays, and chat to you or carry on.

Our rescue dog has being with us for 8 weeks and is 14 months. She is a small crossbreed terrier mix. We find some people we talk to on the street she wants to fuss and some she barks at but these tend to be people who don't know dogs very well.

We ask people not to make eye contact or bend down towards her as this is threatening for her. I stand and chat pointing out that she will sniff and check them out, and if they don't mind would they offer a dog treat to her which most do and its worth the effort to see her tail start to wag and her whole body posture change.

I sit on a bench on a quite corner of our high street, and people watch with her, so she can just watch for a while without having to face crowds. I introduce her to trusted customers at our shop. I always ask them to offer a dog treat. Some times she takes to them on the first meeting, and some times it takes two meetings for her to relax.

I keep her away from crowded areas like pubs, crowds of shoppers. I keep her in her dog crate at the shop, behind the counter so she feels more secure in her area.

At home we do the same routine offering treats with any new family member that visits the house.

Sorry if I rambled on a bit.

Hi
I would go right back to basics, lots of control with basic exercises, getting him to respect you as the top dog (so to speak). If you havn't already introduce the leave command, very handy when approaching things you want the dog to leave alone. The watch command is also a really good idea, focuses the dog on you. See if you can set something up with friends and family to socialise him out and about meeting random people one after the other always using leave, watch etc and lots of praise when he does.
If he really wants to go, roll him onto the floor, and then to his side and hold him there until he calms down there is no need to say anything to him, once calm i.e stopped struggling to get up. Carry on walking and praise. This exercise shows him your boss and that he cannot use that sort of behaviour while your in charge.
Good luck, if I think of anything else will let you know, Shelly

Is the dog neutered? Was he like this before he was neutered, if he is?

Hi again, firstly yes he has been neutered. As he's from the Dogs Trust we haven't known him pre-neutering, so can't tell you if he was like this before.
Regarding the noise aversion; I only used this for a short time after the behaviourist we saw suggested it. He ignored it completely, as with the water pistol - might as well have not been there! I have used clicker training, but unfortunately I often forget where I last put it therefore I can't always be as consistant as I would need to be (my timing's a bit off too).
What has been suggested by Riverwild is basically the Alpha Roll, and I am loathe to use that with Dan as even after having him for 3 years, I can't reposition him by hand as he panics and I think this would make him panic too - thanks for the suggestion though! My last post was cut a bit short as I was interrupted, but I was going to continue to say that I believe the reason for his reversion to previous behaviour is our puppy. We got her in November and the more he has become "attached" to her, the more he appears to be "protecting" her. She is 7 months now (approx, as she is a rescue too) and she is quite a barky/growly dog when playing. On a number of occasions, Dan has reacted immediately to her barking at another dog (she does it to make them play!) by running over and attempting to frighten the other dog away.
I have been following the NILIF "plan" since we got him - he gets nothing for free, he has to sit for the door to be opened, sit and wait before he goes out the back gate, sit and wait for his dinner etc and I never let himthru a door before me. Basically i have tried very hard to ensure that he knows his "place" and indoors he does - it's when we get outside that things change, almost like there's too many possible threats for me to cope with on my own, so he has to help!
Sorry to go on again!
Jo

Dogs can behave very much worse with regards to nervousness and aggression if neutered and the problem was apparent before, I just wondered if this could be a contributing factor.

I was under the impression that it was the other way around!

Ah sorry didnt realise he would panic, def a good idea not to do the roll!