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ForeverPiper · 02-21-2007, 08:51 AM

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble with your girl Abby. I agree with you that this is so unlike the normal loving disposition of a Golden.

First, have you talked to your vet to rule out any physical reason she may be having agressive behavior after being so friendly in the past? Is it possible that at the time of the change in her nine months ago, she may have been attacked or allowed to play with another dog that treated her too rough, and it scared her?

I think if you can, training would be a big help for you both. You can contact your local or regional Golden Retriever Club and I'm sure they would be willing to help you or reccomend a trainer. Especially, since you rescued her.

Next, you need to get control of Abby. She is a big girl at 70 pounds, and I can understand how easily she can pull you off your feet and drag you. I've been there, and it's not fun! I highly reccomend a "HALTI". A halti is a webbed halter that goes on a dogs head, and has a v-shaped attachment that runs thru an "o-ring" and connects to the dogs normal neck collar. The dogs leash then connects to the o-ring. It works by asserting pressure on the top of the dogs nose and causing the head to go down and into the chest of the dog. They cannot pull or bolt in this way. It is TOTALLY humane and safe, and highly reccomended by many trainers, because of this. When she tries to bolt toward another dog, the pressure will quickly cause her to stop and then it will release her head to its natural position.

As you handle her on her walks, aproach other dogs with her close at your side. Do not let her lead out. Talk to her calmly and try to keep her attention on you. If she starts to get aggressive, firmly say "NO" and give a slight tug on her lead. If she walks by, and is well behaved, praise the dickens out of her, and let her know what a good girl she is. The main thing is consistancy!

Good luck with this problem. As much as I love Yorkies, these Golden pups are just so wonderful, too. They share many of the same loving traits that endear them to us.

02-21-2007, 08:51 AM	#3
ForeverPiper Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerville, New Jersey, USA Posts: 42	Some Ideas I'm sorry you are having so much trouble with your girl Abby. I agree with you that this is so unlike the normal loving disposition of a Golden. First, have you talked to your vet to rule out any physical reason she may be having agressive behavior after being so friendly in the past? Is it possible that at the time of the change in her nine months ago, she may have been attacked or allowed to play with another dog that treated her too rough, and it scared her? I think if you can, training would be a big help for you both. You can contact your local or regional Golden Retriever Club and I'm sure they would be willing to help you or reccomend a trainer. Especially, since you rescued her. Next, you need to get control of Abby. She is a big girl at 70 pounds, and I can understand how easily she can pull you off your feet and drag you. I've been there, and it's not fun! I highly reccomend a "HALTI". A halti is a webbed halter that goes on a dogs head, and has a v-shaped attachment that runs thru an "o-ring" and connects to the dogs normal neck collar. The dogs leash then connects to the o-ring. It works by asserting pressure on the top of the dogs nose and causing the head to go down and into the chest of the dog. They cannot pull or bolt in this way. It is TOTALLY humane and safe, and highly reccomended by many trainers, because of this. When she tries to bolt toward another dog, the pressure will quickly cause her to stop and then it will release her head to its natural position. As you handle her on her walks, aproach other dogs with her close at your side. Do not let her lead out. Talk to her calmly and try to keep her attention on you. If she starts to get aggressive, firmly say "NO" and give a slight tug on her lead. If she walks by, and is well behaved, praise the dickens out of her, and let her know what a good girl she is. The main thing is consistancy! Good luck with this problem. As much as I love Yorkies, these Golden pups are just so wonderful, too. They share many of the same loving traits that endear them to us. __________________ Karen, "Mom" to Libby, my Golden Girl, and "Nanny" to Piper, who left us much too soon.