Agression to males with moustaches?

[survive_the_elements]

Well, for those of you who have been keeping up with Zelda's progress, i'm pleased to say that we tried a different lead (no chain end etc) and she was more than happy, no fuss, sat down immediately so that I was able to put the lead on, no puddle afterwards!

But, whist on our walk, after she had listened to me and layed down in front of a dog that she had been barking at..she then went MENTAL at a random guy on the street. He had black hair and a moustche. Sound to me like her abuser in the past had been a male, with dark hair and a moustache, and had used a chain on her. She is walked at least twice a day, and as we live in a town, of course she sees males everyday, and has never had an issue so far.

My Dad (who has a rescue GSD, Harley at the moment, and who has had abused GSD's who I grew up with) has black hair and a moustache, so i'm hoping he will be able to work on that with her. I'm guessing the best way is gentle introduction, with lots of treats and toys involved?

Any tips? He doesn't come out to France until November, so unfortunately it will have to wait, as I don't have any friends who look simular or have a moustache.

I feel like I should mention, after having seen her at the kennals twice, and had her since Saturday..today was the first time i have EVER heard her bark.. which is why it took me by surprise as of course I didn't take any notice of the guy!

[Jon]

Dogs recognise faces... men with moustashes or beards are something new...

Is she ok meeting other random people, males & females then? Your OH will have to get one of those joke shop ones and dress up! x

[Caryll]

I'm sure that if you keep working with her the way you have been, she'll start to calm down & trust you to know what's a danger/frightening and what isn't.

It could well be that she was abused by someone who had a moustache, but it could also be that she's never seen one before & didn't like it!

[survive_the_elements]

She is fine meeting other people, she has meet quite a few of our friends, both male and female and not had an issue with them. No moutasches involved though.

Oh myy, the joke shop thing sounds like a plan!!

The boyfriend came in the house the other day whilst I was hoovering, still with his motorbike helmet on and she didn't do a thing. He scared the hell out of me though! Didn't hear him come back in :P

Will have to see who we meet on our next walk, as its either one or the other...its completely new..or abused.

[sami]

I had the same problem with Leo. He was badly abused by a male and wouldnt let any male near him. It took a year before he would voluntarily go near my husband.

I just avoided the male situations for a while (admittedly this was a couple of years) and got men who were calm and non threatening to approach him and wait for him to go to them. This worked although as I say it took a long time and he is now great with 99% of men. Occaisionally he will decide he doesnt like a man and will not go anywhere near him.

[LOVEGSD]

Keep everything positive, encourage all strangers to throw her treats, don't look at her and let her decide if she wishes to meet them. Great that your Dad can help with the moustache problem though....x

[Su-C]

Hi - I would do as the others have said - but def get one from a joke shop.

If you can bear to wear it and everytime you put it on, you reward her, she will hopefully start to see them as something positive. You can then ask your other half, and then other people.

If she is clicker trained, you could try reinforcing with that.

Good luck

Sue
x

[survive_the_elements]

Yeap she is clicker trained, surely all the giggling that will be going on coming from me with the boyf wearing that will be positive :P

Photos to follow haha

[Stuart]

When we first got Jazz, she had a thing about thin men, and we had to keep a realy sharp eye on her, or she would nip them.

My relief Postie is a thin guy, so I roped him in to help,.. we kept at it untill she realised that this thin guy was good,... and things got beter from then on,.. she is fine now

So I am sure that if you either get a guy with facial hair, or even a joke one as suggested, you will be able to sort it out,.. good luck