Aggression - if that's the right description

[HalleGirl]

While on walks, my little girl will - more often than not - go to meet another dog, and when they get close up, she'll lunge and bark. I don't think she would really bite and snap at the other dog, but I can't be sure. She's a rescue, had a tough beginning, we got her at 16 months, have her now 19 months - but the lunging and barking still exists. Also, when a stranger comes up to her, she'll more often than not, lunge and bark at them. She has bitten another stranger when they kneeled down to meet her. Luckily for me, I knew the person and they didn't object - particularly since I told them up front she might get feisty with them. WHat have any of you done with these kinds of situations ? I do want my girl to meet other dogs, but I also don't want to chase them away and ruin the next chance when we meet them along the way. Thanks

[Sarah]

You say "little girl" but you don't give the breed of dog. I don't know if "little girl" actually means that you have a small dog, or if its a nicname you call her.

If your dog is a small dog, and you approach someone with another dog, pick your dog up, and ask the owner if they could meet. If the owner says yes, then offer the other dog, your dogs rear. Trust me, after a few times your dog will calm right down with others. If you have a friend who has a dog, I would strongly suggest you introduce the two of them together as I described, and then walk the two of them together one on either side of you. This creates a bond between them and they become friends.

Regarding people, it will take your control to keep her from biting people. One way would be to enroll her in a good obedience class, [this is mainly for you, to learn how to take control of your dog.] and she will be exposed to many.

She is more than likely reacting to her past, and you have to allow her with good training to move forward.

Hope this helps...

Take care