Need advice re. my rescue GSD and my hubby

[paxmom]

I rescued a female GSD 6 weeks ago and up until about 2 weeks ago, everything was going very smoothly. Since with me, Zoey (GSD) has been crate trained, house trained, car-trained and some basic obedience (sit, down, heel (most of the time), and we're working on stay). Zoey's adapted to life with 2 other dogs (she's realized she is NOT the alpha) and has learned to ignore the cats (most of the time). She never was interested in the birds... She never barks/growls/shows aggression at me or my 2 children at home (ages 10 and 19). We've had lots of people over and she's never displayed any agression towards any of them..

HOWEVER, my husband has been travelling Mon -Thursday due to work for the majority of the time since she's been with us and for the past 2 weekends while he was home, Zoey has started seriously barking and sometimes lunging at him. This happens inconsistently and usually when my hubby is walking, coming in the door, etc. If the hubby is sitting or in bed, Zoey is just a big fluff ball (like 2 different dogs). Zoey sleeps in her crate in our bedroom and if the hubby gets up from bed, Zoey goes crazy barking at him. If I get up - nothing. I've had an excellent trainer at the house and she said Zoey is anxious and pretty insecure - not at all well socialized for a dog her age (2ish I was told, but I'm betting younger), so we've been working on that very successfully. Also, she has a training collar and if this collar is on her - Zoey does not exhibit any of these behaviors - she is a totally different dog.

I'm pretty sure this has to do with dominance (maybe resource guarding?), but I'd like to hear other owners (I'm a newbie) opinions. We try to operate on the NILIF principle around here, but I'll be the first to admit, I'm not always consistent because of her being a rescue (don't know everything that freaks her out yet). Am contacting my trainer as well, but I love lots of input.
Thanks!

[BowWowMeow]

I can almost guarantee without even seeing your dog that this is NOT dominance. There are very few dogs who have true dominance agendas. This sounds like a classic case of fear aggression.

I have rescued and fostered quite a few dogs and at the point when they start getting comfortable and gaining a bit of confidence this problem often comes up. My Basu went from avoiding people to looking like Cujo when people came over.

What is needed is clear, confident and fair leadership on the part of you and your husband. Your dog should be on NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) and you should work on counter conditioning her to having people come into the house and move around the house. I taught Basu a place command and once he was in his place he got the yummiest treats ever (like liver treats or something disgusting). Before he understood the routine I kept him on a leash when people came over and asked for a command I knew that he knew (like sit) and rewarded him with a treat when he was sitting and quiet.

I would also start a positive training class with her, if you haven't already, and hopefully sign up for a class that meets on weekends so that your husband can attend to.

The other thing I would do is to have your husband do everything for her when he's home like feed her, groom her (if she likes that), walk her, etc. All good things should come from him. This will help build a good bond but you will absolutely still need to work with her specifically on the fear aggression b/c you will see it with other people and possibly also outside of the house.

[paxmom]

*bump*

[sharkey19]

Definitely sounds like fear aggression. I agree with what bowwowmeow says. It would be good if you could get your hubby to be the only one feeding her (and also, no food in bowls! Your dog should be on a learn to earn program) and taking care of her. Talk to trainers or look up resources online to see what he could be doing better with his body language to make her more comfortable.

[Jack's Dad]

She probably felt some sense of comfort and security with you. Then along comes hubby and guess what, he doesn't visit and leave. He stays there like he owns the place, takes up time with her new mommy and on top of all that changes the household or (pack) dynamics. Now her insecurity comes back, she react and figures lets get the problem out of here.
I don't know if this scenario is accurate or not. Getting an adult dog is like having a strange adult human in your home. Who knows what baggage they bring with them.
I agree with the others though. More time with your husband, some of it alone with him so they can establish their own relationship.
The trainers impression was probably accurate and it will take time for sure.