THANK YOU!! As you know I also have a fearful pup I adopted last year. Your insight of these very special guys is amazing! Coal just turned 2 on Sunday and it's amazing how he's changed with your help! It does take some work - everyday. But seeing the fear in his eyes slowly give way to excitement and happyness is such a thrill! I'll be going to pick up these two new book suggestions today!
THANK YOU!!

Hi Stephanie!
All Patricia McConnel's books are great. You can get a deal if you buy more than one from Amazon.com. You should also check out The Other End of the Leash, (one of my all time favorite books),and for Coalby, also Feisty Fido, Help for the Leash Aggressive Dog.
Happy Birthday Coalby!

I heartedly second Stephanie's comment: "Your insight of these very special guys is amazing!"....so true.....
even from 3,000 miles away!

Thank you for helping me with my ole block head when we were in need

Sandi
Pet Improvement
California

Thanks Nance, MY OLD horsing around and dogs too friend! I took your advice earlier and ordered Pat McConnel's two books, and they never arrived. Bad omen, when Amazon refunded my money, I was failing to get K to accept either treats or clicks. Then I ordered Click to Calm and it just arrived. I have been having trouble getting him to relax with the clicks up close (fear of noises, no fave treats), and he doesn't seem to hear it when at the end of a 20' leash. He looks like he believes he should not eat anything. But, he's a gd weight, so, to the growling subject: after the few little altercations I told you about with other dogs jumping at his face, he's gotten much more vocal and almost always now growls at any and every dog who comes within three feet of him. Further than that he's wagging at all, except the Mastiff who beat him up and attacked him twice -- him he actually barks hysterically and lunges at. I think he wants the chance to fight him back, I restrained him and pulled him away. Other than the mastiff, it has evolved from silent wagging with a little hair up on back, then playing together nicely both on or off leash, to then growling at the half or so dogs who did not wag back and looked a bit askew at his wolf eyes, to now growling at any and all who come at any pace up to him. He's preventing further attacks he thinks, but really is instigating some hostile rxns from dogs and their humans both, by being loud and with teeth bared. So I feel justified in saying a firm no to these growls, the unprovoked ones, as part of his socializing to live in a very dog-full city.
Shouldn't I? He usually ignores my reprimands and if his ag level goes up I have to drag him away. Have only had one off-leash encounter with a new unexpected visitor who was said to be "so good with every other dog that I never leash him", and they tussled for a minute, separated, walked growling around eachother, and then split and walked away from eachother. Kofi came back to me looking victorious and happy. So I'm not pos if leash increases growls, but can not control meetings off. I certainly don't want to reward growling this way, it becomes now every time we meet every new dog, regardless of their demeanor. Help me show him other ways to communicate with other dogs?? Or to know the nice ones are nice?? He really is clueless, having been completely alone in a basement for a year. Thank you all so much!! I'm joining agbeh too Nance, good suggestions! Now I just have to spend less time on blogs and more on schoolwork! Thia

Interesting picture you have painted Thia, and being a former city dweller, I understand all too well having to live in the less than ideal real world. Maybe you should think of trying a basic obedience class, one where the dogs have no off leash play time and get him working around other dogs (distractions) in a safe place. A well run class can be a great place to socialize. Remember socialization doesn't mean play time, but it is a time to just be around dogs in a safe environment. Also-teach him to target-we (trainers) have had a lot of success giving problem dogs, usually fearful ones something else to do, like hand targeting.

Many people report it is hard to try clicker training without seeing it done first, and if you find a clicker class, that would help you to stay on the right track. If the dog is blowing you off at 20 feet, than 20 feet is too far away for what you asked. Ask less and set yourself up for success.
If he is noise sensitive indoors, you can try a ball point pen or try muffling the clicker with your shirt. You could also substitute the word "yes" if it is truly a problem, or try several clickers in the store and buy the softest one. The I-Clicks are softer than the boxy type clickers.

As for telling the dog no, sorry, still disagree. I think you will get a better feel for what I am trying to say once you get on AGBEH for a little while. But remember, follow the rules over there!