Fear aggression - making progress (LONG)

[papa bear's mom]

I figured the behavior forum would be best for this. My husband and I adopted Papa back in September from a rescue. He was found as a stray and taken to the SPCA, where they were going to put him down. He is approx. 2 years old, and as we soon found out after adopting him, he had aggression issues.
As it turns out, after a special class for dog-dog aggression(which isn't really what ticks him off) and working with two trainers from our dog school as well as reading, reading, reading and more reading on how to get him to come around, we went and talked to a wonderful woman in the State College area who breeds & shows Rotts. She finally gave us the name of what it is - fear aggression - and she gave us some awesome ideas of how to work it through.
We are TOTALLY committed to this dog. He is a barker/lunger/and-try-to-biter. (nipped a few people at first when we adopted him and we had no idea what we were getting into - the rescue did not even observe any of this behavior with him) We are extremely careful with him and what situations he is placed in for the time being.
Anyhow, I just wanted to post my excitement - I walked Papa yesterday afternoon. We could not have run into more dogs and kids and people and cars. It was ideal for a socialization exercise, although seemed a little much at first. But he did AWESOME!
I and my husband have been teaching him Mine/Yours, and that works really well. Cars went by us; he was in a sit or down and happily looking at me, waiting for my okay. He has some dominance issues as well, and I just can't believe how well he responded to me. We walked by some people talking in their driveway with their neighbor and they both had little terriers. They were barking like crazy, lunging on their leads, and causing a rucus. Anyhow, I told Papa they were mine and he looked at me and kept on walking. I am just so excited!
I know I can turn him around; it's patience and persistence. I was able to turn my rescue (abused or neglected and definitely undersocialized) German Shepherd mix from some passive, shaking, scared dog who peed on the floor to a wonderfully confident dog who may bark at someone she doesn't know but she has no other signs of submission, etc.
I find this forum very helpful and I thought I would post this so hopefully you all can follow Papa Bear's progress. My goal one day will be to do agility with him. I am even looking into the Dock Dogs thing, that looks very cool. But this is a rescue that definitely picked the right owner - he needs work and I am more than happy to help him! WOOF :D

[Brooke&Ryan]

Are you talking about Elaine??

:)
Brooke

[papa bear's mom]

Yes! She was such a help to us. The rescue where we got Papa referred us to her. I'm glad! She just put a name on it and then gave us easy-to-understand techniques to work it through. :)

[Brooke&Ryan]

That's great. Are you going to be taking one of her classes???

[papa bear's mom]

Originally Posted by Brooke&Ryan

That's great. Are you going to be taking one of her classes???

No, we live about two hours from her, so we can't do that. But she said we can do more private lessons down the road once we feel we need another evaluation. She said I could keep her posted via email for now or call her if needed. I figured we will probably work him for a few months and then take him up again for her to see what else we need to work on. She is very good, though, I have to say one of the best trainers I've met so far in my dog-owning life!
Do you go there?

[Brooke&Ryan]

We observed one of her classes but decided against her for something that we saw during the class. We know of quite a few people who have gone there & rave about her but we decided to choose another training program. My boyfriend's aunt is a well known trainer in town & we've been training with her since Julius was 4 months old.

:)
Brooke

[LORHEL]

Nothing better than making progress with a dog such as yours....I have been there, know your frustration, and I commend you on being so committed...it takes alot but can be worth it when the dog makes progress...just take it slow and so glad to hear things are turning around for your rottie boy.

:)

[lblax]

keep up the good work..sounds like he is going to make it....do him and your self both a favor stay relaxed but dont get overconfidant