I am not an advocate of any kind of repellant or shock collar. I think a dog learns better when they have a positive experience to something rather than a negative experience. JeanieK gives some good advice, and here is some more.
Have children give her treats (very small, enough to eat in one bite only). They don't have to give them from their hands, they can toss the treats in your dog's direction. She will eventually see them as good things as they come near her.
When she snaps at the other dogs, remove her from the room (preferably on leash) and only bring her back when she has calmed down. Each time she snaps, she has to leave. She only gets to come back and stay there when she is behaving herself.
If you're worried about her barking during walks, when you see someone/something approaching that she will bark at, get her attention by using treats and commands like "sit". Have her work her brain so she is too busy to bark at the object or person.
Hiring a positive reinforcement trainer would be a great idea for you (ask them about their methods before you pay them). Negative reinforcement can create a more unconfident dog, and a shock collar is negative reinforcement (so is a spray collar and a bark repellant).
Your dog needs to be socialized more, which is why you're having the problems. You've missed the best time to do it (when she was a puppy) but you can still do so. Hitting her or shocking her for her mistakes is wrong. You failed as her owner in teaching her proper doggie etiquette. Sorry to be harsh, but it's the honest truth.
And, as others have said, find a new vet. |