Thanks Sarah. that's a good point, I have done this with her fav treats, but she goes into the zone!! and nothing will get her out of it until the thing or person she is zoned in on has passed or gone out of sight.

Thanks for the support Lorna. I know and I hope someone will come up with an idea or recommend a behaviouist. There are so many cowboys out there I wouldn't know where to start looking. Have you heard of Barkbusters?

is she like only aggresive when you take her walks, or is she like that with anyone who walks her?

Only on walks, she is a little love in every other way, well nearly.... she did take a dislike to my friends partner. Mind you he did come in all macho like and stare them both down, so they both barked at him. She didn't try to bit or anything. No, it's only when she is out.
Elaine x

So sorry Elaine, just sending some much needed (((((((((((((hugs))))))))))) by the sound of you, you're really upset about this which is quite understandable.

Think back, did you socialise her with lots and lots of men and women up to 12 weeks of age? I didn't know just how important it was up to that age for them to be people friendly let alone dog friendly Even though I did this with lots and lots of different peops with Zena all of whom she smothered with kisses, there have been TWO people she has taken a total dislike to, two men, one being my best friend's son, and then yesterday she took umbridge to my bil when he came to do some odd jobs for me. Barking, hackles up etc. etc. I opted for making a fuss of the people rather than her, just to show her kind of thing, that they were of the "nice" kind, then I handed them each treats to give to her, and finally she settled, but she still didn't particularly like them, and I suppose it's going to be the same as in the human world, some people she's just not going to like! Is it the same with Poppy, just the odd person here and there?

If Poppy were mine, I'd opt for the desensitising route before getting in a behaviourist, i.e. do you know anybody with a bike who you can "borrow" to desensitize her to it and the person on it? That kind of thing

Don't laugh, but Zena was fine with the hoover when she first came here, but because I hit her crate with it once, she's frightened of it now So the other morning, I had to spend ages cuddling this hoover of mine (yeah I know! ), until she came up for a fuss and sniffed it all over etc. etc. and now she's fine with it.

Do you go to training classes with Poppy, and how is she there then? If you don't then you must, if only to socialise her more, she's got to meet loads and loads of people all making a fuss of her to show her that people are nice. Hand them all treats to give her, everyone that comes round or meets you out on walks, it can only help to improve things.

I do know how very upsetting this is because I had a dog like Poppy once, but I'm sorry to say, it really was my own fault for not doing all the socialising up to the age of 12 weeks old, which was down to business comittments at the time, I just couldn't get away to do the right thing with that dog. You learn by your mistakes, but it's not too late at Poppy's age to turn her around whichever route you take, but I'm afraid you're going to have to knuckle down and really get to grips with this problem now before it turns into worse and you end up with a dog like the one I had, which won't happen if I know you.

Please don't take this the wrong way, I am NOT saying you didn't do the right thing by her up to that 12 weeks of age, but whatever you did, she needs more if you know what I mean, so good luck.xxxx

Firstly - Barkbusters is just a Franchise so the behaviourist you get might not be qualified except for their own short (2 week?) training course. The course covers finance and publicity as well so it isn`t in depth. Of course you might get someone who has their own qualifications as well, but I don`t think they`d need to buy into the franchise in that case.
Secondly - have you read `Understanding and Handling Dog Agression` by Barbara Sykes. In it she takes on a very aggressive BC and find ways to rehabilitate him. I found it an ecxcellent book for dealing with aggression.
Thirdly, have you tried taking your dog out on her own (muzzled if needed) and just training her? I found this to be the only way to break Daisy`s learned behaviour.

Elaine, there are some good dog training courses out at Delamere . I used to take Fudge. The classes take place outside and a lot of what is done is teaching the dog to focus on you while the other dogs/owners are around. I also know the trainer will advise you personally on how to work on a specific problem and support you both through the classes and at home between classes.

If you google Delamere dog club you should find it.There are classes on a Tuesday afternoon, Thursday afternoon and at the weekends. They are also a reasonable price too.

Sending some hugs. I may get time to drop those mags off this week...depends what the builders are up to...

Rx

Aww Thank you so much Helena for your lovely post. No Im afraid she has not gone to puppy classes. and I'm not making excuses but the good ones here all start at 7 or there abouts and Oh does not get in till 6.30. As you know I have a disabled son so finding good safe care for him is not easy.
I have just found out that my vet is running a puppy training class so wil check that out. As to the 12 week cut off, (for want of a better word) we didn't get her till she was 15/16 weeks old. As you may remember she is a rescue that we learned of from Steph in Birmingham. Doing the treat thing is a really good idea I will have to take extra out in the future, but as of now I have lost my trust with her and I am scared of taking her out. I know I have to and I will of course, but my nerves are shattered at the moment, after a night sleep I will probs feel different.
Elaine xx

Thanks Claire I thought as much I have been in touch but have not agreed to anything yet. Will check out the book, I hope they have it in the library!! I do take her out but I have not got the muzzle yet will have to nip to Jolleys in the morning.
Thanks for the support
Elaine xx

Thanks for the reply Rachel
We took Ben to the Delamere dog club. Why the hell didn't I think of that. We only stopped going because Ben would get so car sick that it was a struggle and he became so stressed. He's fine now so its on the list for next Sunday!
Hope to see you this week, I'm out Tuesday morning, going for a massage!!! Because I am a full time carer I can get free massages and Reki, hey everthing helps he he
Elaine xx