This Ridgeback mix is the most difficult dog I've ever worked with, more difficult than the Rotties. She is an easily excitable, dominant girl. I spent a long time watching Cesar, and used those behavioral techniques in combination with my previous horse training experience. I've lost one friendship because the gal (a whole series of bad dog stories lie with this gal) had a problem with how hard I am on *my* dog. But, my dog doesn't attack my partner, other random people, or ME.
Yesterday, while my husband ran Mt. Tallac out at Lake Tahoe, the dog and I spent the day at the only local beach where dogs are allowed (they're supposed to be on-leash, only those who couldn't really control their dogs kept them on-leash). That dog made me SO PROUD with her behavior. Most of the dogs were fairly under control, didn't have terrible aggression problems, but all were pretty rude to human beings while playing, running into people, running over their stuff, basically ignoring their personal space.
I discovered that what I do with my dog works with other dogs. I do my "mother" thing, give a look, shake my finger and say, "Don't!" or "AH AH!" I stopped a huge GSD in its tracks, damn thing was headed straight for Hazel who was under my legs and my blanket, while its owner was trying to call it back. I shot it a look and said, "AH AH!" and damn if the dog didn't stop dead in its tracks. I told it, "You don't walk on my blanket!" and the dog looked around, then walked around my blanket! Hazel just looked at me and blinked.
Anyway, I have to work very hard with Hazel every day, and while I don't hit, I do bite, and she knows it. If another dog tries to fight her I can easily call her off now. I've worked with her to the point that anyone, anyone at all, can walk up to her while she's eating and take the food right out of her mouth. Even a very small child.
People all around were watching other dogs running around ignoring their owners, while Hazel did exactly what I asked of her. Only thing was she's afraid of the waves on the lake. WTF? She pulled a huge log out of the water, though, totally owned it.
But, hemployed, what you describe about how your female went off has me a little bit worried about her overall health. I mean, reading it sounded insane, like she'd gone insane, ya know? I only know that old dogs can become demented, know nothing about mental/psychological issues with younger dogs, but I find myself wondering if she's ok. That, or the two of them still haven't worked out which is going to lead the other and perhaps you haven't sufficiently settled that question for them.
