Three months ago we rescued a GSD/rottie cross from a rescue pound, she was the loveliest, quietest dog, never barked, was non-plussed by strangers and other dogs. The first walk we took her for two large dogs off lead bounded up to her, she didn't bark or growl and looked rather helpless. The owner didn't call them back or do anything as they were nipping at her and I think this has had a detrimental effect on her as she is terrible with other dogs now, and as she is deaf it is hard to train her out of it (when they become fixated with something and can't hear commands it is difficult), and other dog owners seem to take it the wrong way which is rather embarrassing and upsetting to see.

After a trip to the vets she has started doing some strange behaviour, at the vets she went into the submissive position as the vet was feeling some (thankfully not cancerous) lumps on her belly. Then out of the blue she snapped at the vet, now this seems to be a behaviour she has repeated. She bit the next vet she saw in the same position (we strongly advised that she should be muzzled and they brushed it off saying she seemed ''fine''). I'm a bit worried about this as I had a ''new human'' in the house the other day and she went into the same submissive position as she was being petted and started bearing her teeth and growling.

Has anyone else experienced this with a dog? I study animal behaviour and the only explanation I can think of is that she is fearful of strangers. But this has only happened with one stranger that she has met, she's been lovely to everyone else and she is great with kids too (although we exercise extreme caution when she is around them just incase). She has never growled or snapped at me or my partner, she is so lovely and gentle with us and she loves it when our neighbours come and say hello to her when she is in the yard and takes kindly to any petting from them, but she does bear her teeth and growl sometimes when our flatmate (whom she sees just as much as us) plays with her.

We did wonder whether it may be taught behaviour as we don't know her past, except that she has had a hell of a lot of pups and was several kilos underweight and had a skin condition and ear mites when she was rescued which suggests she was mistreated.

I'd be grateful for any advice on this or explainations why she may do this.

Cat

P.S. I should have mentioned that she is extremely loving towards me and follows me around all day, if my partner/flatmate/family hug me infront of her she starts tail-chasing for attention! Perhaps this may have something to do with the snapping? I'm not sure, but I thought it may be worth mentioning. I exercise discipline over her and I will tell her no (in our special sign language) if she is funny with anyone and she stops immediately (but then it is as if she is resisting the urge to do it again and sometimes does, until I say no again).

I would imagine that it was actually that she was a bit shell shocked from her changed environment as opposed, esp considering her age (ie it was the first time she had met dogs)

Again you are just getting to know this dog - I doubt she's learnt these responses from a couple of vets visits.

I would imagine your correct - or more that she is fearful aggressive to some strangers, the actual trigger could be anything (strangers behavior, smell etc)

Sounds like a puppy mill dam.

HTH

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Jack - Black Labrador
Nalsy & Ponch - Purebred bedwarming moggies

Dogs really only have a limited way of dealing with things that they are fearful or nervous of and when they feel stressed. Some just shut down and allow things to be done to them, Some if they can will bring flight into play ie run away. some will try appeasement ie adopt a submissive position, in human terms Im no threat please dont hurt me. which is avoidance and lastly if all else fails then defence growling, snapping etc ie fight. Or if you want to humanise it
look how aggressive I am go away.

She may have started out with shut down to a degree, later with the vet, she tried the submissive appeasement, then if he just continued to dive in so the submissive thing didnt work she tried the snapping and growling. Then I think
with the 2nd vet, as submissive behaviour didnt work before she has just gone
to the snap and growl and when that didnt work as it obviously didnt with the
previous vet, she has gone to bite.

I agree with the OP given she has had pups and her condition it does sound like
a breeding female, whether in a puppy farm or similar. Its possible if this is the
case she would have had limited socialisation and habituation and that could be at the root of the problems if thats the case.

The fact that she follows you around and attention seeks also seems that she has gravitated to you and sounds like she may have the beginning of suffering
separation anxiety to a degree. The trouble is once a nervous dog does a behaviour to stop whats bothering them and when they are stressed and it works to a degree, they are more likely to repeat it and its going to become a learned behaviour. The danger also is if the low key responses like submission,
appeasement and the growling isnt heeded then the more likely they and are going to go straight to the agression or bite.

Dealing with fear and fear aggression problems is a complicated process,I really
think you should consider getting in a qualified behaviourist. One who does reward based modification, not one who is going to use dominance and heavy
handed methods. She is a mix of guarding breeds so this wont help matters I
personally havent had these two breeds, but I know in GSD peopletouchin who have had them I know have said they can gravitate to one person.

In the meantime I would ask you flatmate and anyone she seems wary of not
to push attention on or befriend her. They should totally ignore her no approaching, touching, talking to her or eye contact. All of which she could see as challenging behaviour. I would also set up a den or safe area, where she can
retreat to if she feels the need, you can make it pleasant with her bed,chews etc
and notify visitors not to approach her if she retreats to it. If she starts to show any interest of curiosity, you could prearm visitors with treats that they can very
slowly and gently throw in her direction but still ignoring her, to perhaps begin
to make the beginnings of good association. Then if she feels and wants to maybe slowly build it up at her pace.

However with complex cases, the internet is no substitute for hands on, so I
really think a behaviourist would be the best and tbh. only way.

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Missed about the bit about the problem with other dogs, after her experience I
would think that is also fearfull behaviour now too. While you are waiting for a behaviourist, if she was mine I think I would keep her on lead, so she doesnt get put into a possible same situation at the moment. Take with you high value
treats chicken,hot dogs,cheese and chesse spread in tubes is good as its likely to keep her attention.

I would practise in areas where you can keep dogs at a distance, when you see
a dog try to b reak eye contact by turning her in the opposite direction and either rapid feed treats or use the cheese in a tube. This should at least help
you manage the situation temporarily until you can get professional help, or its
an idea to try in the meantime anyway.

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Completely agree with what Sled Dog Hotel said

I'll try all of the above, thanks a lot! She was in kennels a while so maybe she was just used to the dogs there, although they said she had been great with other dogs the whole time she was there. It's strange because we have taken her back there a few times to see the vet and she was very well behaved with the dogs there.
Looking at seeing a behaviourist asap, the classes don't seem to cater toward deafies though, hope that wont be a problem. We've also set up a code of conduct for visitors coming to the house now (with a pep talk before they see her to avoid her getting frightened).