So I got my dog, a German Shepherd Husky Mix, during the COVID pandemic, so I wasn’t really able to train her to be around people. She goes hostile towards everyone that’s near her or everyone who comes over to my house. I want to train her so I can keep her, but I don’t know if it’s too late or how to train her. Could you guys help me out?
Where is this happening? At home, or outside? Breeds with a high protection drive may see protection as their ‘job’ if a stranger enters your house. Your dog being unsocialized makes this all the more likely. I recommend taking your dog out to the park. Meet up with a friend. Have the friend engage with the dog, and have him offer high value treats and/or play with your dog. If your dog is play motivated, just play. Then ALL together, go home with your dog. Enter through the front door together. This will be a valuable socialisation experience for your dog that other humans can be trusted, and can be trusted to pass through the threshold together with YOUR blessing.
It’s mainly inside the home and sometimes outside, but I usually keep her on a prong collar to help with her usual jolts when I am with a friend. I don’t like the whole shock collar idea, so I used it as an alternative. But I can try taking her to the park with a friend with treats and toys. And maybe even have my friend take her for a walk so she could get used to them.
It’s great that you want to train her. Consistency is key. Make sure to set a routine for training sessions and be patient. Gradually expose her to different environments and people, rewarding her for calm behavior.
Socializing is really important. Consider enrolling her in a training class where she can interact with other dogs and people in a controlled environment. That might help her feel more comfortable.