Rescued Male Poodle Very Agressive

[Buster]

I rescued a 4 year old male miniature poodle a year ago and he is VERY aggressive, to the point of biting and growling. He is particularly aggressive towards children and men. When around other dogs, he has nothing to do with them. He is socially backwards. He has even been aggressive with me, but I am able to control him. We walk almost every day and he gets plenty of exercise in the back yard. I make sure he gets the best food and is up to date with all his shots. He is a healthy dog, but nobody likes him? I am afraid to take him to obedience school, he might bite the instructor.
PLEASE HELP!

[MaryAnn]

This needs to be dealt with immediately. I recommend you call a certified AKC Dog Trainer and sign up for Private Lessons. The Trainer will come to your home for one-on-one training.

[Sarah]

It sounds like your poodle may have been abused by children and men, and will take a while for them to over this. It also sounds as if this dog does not trust you, and this is why after all this time with you, he reacts this way. I agree with MaryAnn however, if you cannot afford a dog trainer one on one,. there is nothing wrong with you buying a muzzle and muzzling him while you attend obedience classes.

I personally believe that a group obedience class with him muzzled is the best for him. It will allow him to see that all people are not like his past.

Here is something I would like you to do with your dog and you can do it now. Get a piece of meat, any kind and place it in your palm make a soft fist. Pass it in front of your dogs nose and see if he uses his nose to smell it. Walk around with it in your palm and see if he follows you around? If he shows interest in the meat, and follows you around, you may be able to rehab him at home. If he shows no interest at all, it means that he has shut completely down and not living life, he's just surviving.

Let me know how it goes....