Approximately 1 year ago, our family adopted what they believe is a 2 yr old sheltie mix from essentially, animal control. They found her loose, no info or testing done.
She was very timid and clingy all at the same time. Literally if you stand next to her she cannot be on four paws and will be on her hind legs with two front paws holding you from the front or side until you tell her to get down. This can go on for easily an hour. If you point or say down, go or even her name she looks scared and will sit for seconds (at most) and have to touch you again. Not a major problem but back story that may be important.
She's very shy usually and always has been. Except when she's snarling like a wild wolf showing every tooth she has when she has toys, in her bed or cage... and my mom comes over (my mom adores all animals and the dog loves her when no toys or other things are around I listed above.
When we first got her she snapped at 3-4 people at my home all who were bending over by a table, desk or anything she might be under. She also quickly apologizes and will kiss after snapping!!
After a year now, I gave her an airline crate not long after getting her and she took to it and really doesn't like to be out unless your sitting down and she can lay on you. If by her choice she will stay in the cage with the door open 24/7. However, giving her the cage seems to have stopped the snapping near tables. She now adores everyone that lives in our home and will tolerate people who don't without much worry if any that enter our home... Unless her cage door is locked. She will still snarl and bark incessantly for hours if I don't let her out to visit but I can't always as the one person she snapped at is now scared of her.
She is also terrified of other dogs (I don't think she can read their body language at all!) once they get near her, she growls at even puppies.
She's super smart and follows commands not even asked if her.. Once my husband asked if she can lay in her own dog bed instead of ours. Immediately she jumped to her bed she had never once used. But the fearful & aggressive behaviors really concern me. Do I have hope of her ever being a normal dog?
Being a heavy animal lover I've worked with her for a year but I need to know if this is fixable.
She was very timid and clingy all at the same time. Literally if you stand next to her she cannot be on four paws and will be on her hind legs with two front paws holding you from the front or side until you tell her to get down. This can go on for easily an hour. If you point or say down, go or even her name she looks scared and will sit for seconds (at most) and have to touch you again. Not a major problem but back story that may be important.
She's very shy usually and always has been. Except when she's snarling like a wild wolf showing every tooth she has when she has toys, in her bed or cage... and my mom comes over (my mom adores all animals and the dog loves her when no toys or other things are around I listed above.
When we first got her she snapped at 3-4 people at my home all who were bending over by a table, desk or anything she might be under. She also quickly apologizes and will kiss after snapping!!
After a year now, I gave her an airline crate not long after getting her and she took to it and really doesn't like to be out unless your sitting down and she can lay on you. If by her choice she will stay in the cage with the door open 24/7. However, giving her the cage seems to have stopped the snapping near tables. She now adores everyone that lives in our home and will tolerate people who don't without much worry if any that enter our home... Unless her cage door is locked. She will still snarl and bark incessantly for hours if I don't let her out to visit but I can't always as the one person she snapped at is now scared of her.
She is also terrified of other dogs (I don't think she can read their body language at all!) once they get near her, she growls at even puppies.
She's super smart and follows commands not even asked if her.. Once my husband asked if she can lay in her own dog bed instead of ours. Immediately she jumped to her bed she had never once used. But the fearful & aggressive behaviors really concern me. Do I have hope of her ever being a normal dog?
Being a heavy animal lover I've worked with her for a year but I need to know if this is fixable.