7 month old fear biter

[girlunderainbow]

I've got a 7 (almost 8 month old) half Rottie puppy. We live in an urban neighborhood, and we walk regularly. He goes to the park and has been fine around new people there. Not overly friendly, but not overly shy,either..and certainly not aggressive when people have petted him. I take him to a friends pet store..normally he has been a bit shy around people/dogs there..but calm enough to play with a toy we picked out there one day. But yesterday, when we went my friend leaned over the counter and talked to him, and he started barking and growling. She has shown and trained dogs for years..and tried to come up to him after that and he tried to bite her. She took his lead and worked with him a bit (he knows his basics well)..at first he was very apprehensive of her. He urinated and expressed his anals. He had a regular collar on (as he doesn't need anything corrective normally)..but to work with him she put a choke on him. At first he tried to bite her trying to put it on. She did get it on, and worked with him..getting him to heel for her..sit..down..stay..until he let her pet him. By the end he was wagging his tail at some points..And would take treats from her by hand. When we first came in he would not. He relaxed a great deal. We left and came back in..and he was semi-happy to see her then as he knew she might have a treat. She said I needed to get a choke to correct him when he does this to strangers, that he is a fear biter. Unfortunately up until now he has only been to the vet's once, for his rabies shot. I gave him the rest of his shots at home. Normally,I take my dogs to the vet's just to hang out alot to get them used to things..but my vet has been out for a LONG time due to a bad injury. Also, the soonest appointment I could get for him to be castrated is Sept. 15th. Up until now there were no trainers whatsover in this area. There is a new lady I have met..that will hold her first class sept. 20th. However, this is a "manners" class..for basic obediance mainly..I signed us up the day before the incident at my friend's store.
My questions.. in general, what is some good literature to read? Online and not?
I am now worried that he will not even be allowed in the "manners" class, as this lady boards dogs in her home and has said she refuses dogs that show any signs of aggression.
I may be able to work with her before this class privately..as she already said during the class period (4wks)..because there are 2 days I have to work..I can make them up privately..but again I don't know if she will refuse him because he is a fear-biter. He is also not insecure or dominant with us at home. How do I work with him on getting used to other people at this stage? I thought that being in the group class would be a good idea..before this happened..Now, I'd think it would still be a good for him, even if we have to keep our distance..as some socialization. He is a dog with insecurities at this point..he is not a dog that lunges at people/dogs..he is a dog that is scared IF they approach him in a way that he finds scary. Would it then be OK to have him in class and just keep a distance that is comfortable for him? (IF she will let him in the class). I am not familiar with this trainer, only that she says she uses "only possitive methods". But it is the only training oppurtunity out here at this time.
I'm sorry if this post rambles, but I'm very torn about this..and what to do. The last thing I wanted in the world was to have a poorly socialized dog..and now I do. My husband has been out of work for a while due to an injury..that may or may not heal..and may require surgery. Therefore I am working more than before to cover both ends. I know I have not had the time to devote to this dog that I should have..and have to my other dogs when they were his age. But I had no idea he was this fearful. I am very upset with myself and worried about what to do with him.
Any advice on this appreciated greatly.

[Mavides]

I'm sure others will have lots of great suggestions for you - but my first thought is...can't your friend that helped you in the first place continue to work with you? It sounds like she made great progress with him in just a short period of time - I would ask her if she would continue to work with you and your dog. JMHO of course.

[Judi W]

That would desensitive him to her, doesn't help the next person coming along.

Is this one of the puppies you whelped? If so, you should call the owners of the other pups and ask how they are doing. (no need to mention why you are calling). That will give you some information about the genetics involved.

There are many instructors who simply state they do not work with aggressive dogs. Especially in group classes, working with an aggressive dog is a whole different ballgame than simple obedience training. However, if she holds her classes outdoors where there is pleanty of room, ask if you can attend, staying back from the group, and see how it goes.

[girlunderainbow]

My friend is not doing training as she doesn't have time for it. She runs herbusiness full time. I am going to continue to go to her store with him often to work on that specifically.. She also has a groomer who USED to train/show...that is one more person that if I catch her at the right time..she would work with him a bit too..
As far as her not doing aggressive dogs..this was with her boarding, as she doesn't have kennels..but crates in her home. Other than that they have to be able to get along together in her home..or yard. I'm just not sure how she will take to him being in the class..I don't know anything about her other than she seems very quiet and passive. This is one of the pups I whelped. Unfortunately, I do not know who has the other puppies as they ended up being adopted out through a much larger no kill shelter an hour from here (that does pediatric neuters)..One pup, that like this one looked very rottie may have gone to SSRR and I will try to find out, but don't know if they will know..if they got her or not.
The class is going to be outside, so there would be plenty of room for us to have enough space for him to not feel cornered whatsoever. Plus she already knew I would miss two classes due to work and she said she will be having private make ups for anyone at her home. I plan to talk to her this week about the class. I also plan to talk to my vet (who I used to work for)..about Stitch's upcoming castration. Because of his fear, I know it would be very traumatic if I left him there in a kennel for them to get out a few hours later .. as well as difficult for them maybe. My feeling is that, to prevent this from being a bad experience for him making him more afraid (while I am trying to work on his fears)..that I might go and wait until it is time to anesthetize him ? Either just to hold or give him the initial shot myself.. My vet allowed me to do this before with a past dog(rescue).. I know this is not something always possible with vets.

[Judi W]

Sounds like a plan. I am sorry you can't follow up on the other pups because it could be a real problem for their owners.