help me help my fear-aggressive barker

[Skim]

I need some support. This will probably get long, fair warning!

We adopted a 4mo lab/boxer mix from a shelter/rescue org. in November. The shelter organization said that she had been bounced around quite a bit in her young life, with at least one other home before ours. Our now 9mo adolescent is a fearful dog. She is also territorial/protective. Her behaviors are annoying and sometimes intimidating: she barks at anyone coming into the house, new people get hackles up, too; she barks at anyone walking into a room she is in, too, even if it's not her house. She will calm down eventually, but it takes a long time (20-30 minutes) and usually involves treats. She barks at the dog across the field. She barks at me coming into the house from the front window. She barks! She barks even when tired from playing outside with us for hours, even when chewing her large rawhide, even when I try to make her sit before anyone enters the house. I cannot control this behavior pattern and I am drained and worried. My main fear is that it will escalate to biting if not dealt with right now, and that is something I must avoid.

She is a challenge for me, I confess. I've tried positive training but I am not finding enough times when she is calm and there are guests to reinforce her for that. We live in the country and visitors are infrequent. The nearest dog park is 40 minutes away. I am just at a loss.

We had a dog before who was not so full of anxiety and she was nowhere near the difficulty of this one. Yes, dogs are all individuals, but I guess my problem is that I feel over my head. The vet had to muzzle her today to take a blood sample because he was afraid she would bite him. She's never bitten anyone, but I can't honestly say I feel she wouldn't bite someone holding her and taking a blood sample.

I have the Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training, which is good. I am reading Calming Signals. I think I need a good behaviorist, but we are flat broke, very low income.

I know she needs socialization/desensitization. Socializing her is hard when she is so barky.

I could use some commiseration and concrete strategies to help me help her feel confident around strangers and less protective/territorial.

Here's a pic of my troubled girl: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...00000650274806

Thank you, all!

[greenmagick]

Try Patricia McConnell's The Cautious Canine.

also, talk to some local rescue groups, call some behaviorists, etc. Explain your situation and you may be able to get a break in price or some other ideas.

[LeahBoo]

What helps with my dog is when she isn't in control. Example: Off leash, she sees someone, runs over barking like crazy, but won't approach (basically circles them barking, head down, from 10 feet away). On leash is much better, because she has no control of the situation, and must rely on me to be the leader. She might still bark occasionally. On leash AND head collar (gentle leader), no barking whatsoever, she might hide behind me, but that is completely acceptable to me. In the car, she knows no one can get in, and she can't get out, and she is always calm in the car.

This part is unconventional, especially on this board, but my little dog (not above mentioned dog) is a terrier-acting dog (dachshund mix), runs up and bark bark bark. On leash, bark bark bark. At home, in the car, etc. All the friggin time, lol. He has a lemon spray bark collar. It sprays him when he barks. It works. He turns into mr. super silent dog as soon as it goes on. And he seems to be breaking the habit. Even with it off, he barks about 25% of the amount he used to.

[Skim]

greenmagick, thank you for that book rec. I just got it from the library and it is really wonderul! I feel hopeful again.

And we wouldn't use a spray/scent collar unless it was a kind of last resort, but thank you for your suggestions. I appreciate both responses very much. I am just plagued by this dog's behavior.

[greenmagick]

Im so glad that you like the book

The collar...I just want to mention something about the spray ones..they can be confusing for a dog because the scent lingers long after the bark...the punishment is not short and quick but lasts a long time.