Why is my rescue dog lunging and snapping? What breed is he?

Frankie is adorable! Thank you for posting pictures. Unfortunately, dogs can act differently in different situations. He may have been good with other dogs in a shelter or rescue situation, but doesn't do well on a leash or in a car for example. Since it sounds like the behavior is not showing any signs of improvement, I think it's time for a trainer to help you. If Frankie was adopted from a shelter or rescue, I would contact them to ask for a recommendation for a trainer. They may even have a trainer that has worked with Frankie. If they do not have a recommendation for you, I would recommend asking your vet for a recommendation for a trainer. It will be important for a trainer to see how Frankie reacts to other dogs in order to help you change that behavior. Behavioral problems can take a while to resolve, but Frankie is young, and it will certainly be worth it to resolve this problem before it gets any worse. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Some dogs may lunge out of fear, some out of aggression, and some from excitement. Without being with your dog it is hard for us to say which he is experiencing. I would recommend finding a dog trainer in your area (I would recommend asking your vet for recommendations) to do some obedience training with him and they may be able to identify why he is lunging and how to fix the issue. If he is actually trying to bite people then he should see a veterinary behaviorist.

Give him some time to acclimate. A pheromone product, such as the Adaptil collar or DAP plug in diffuser, may decrease any anxiety. Consider short visits to a dog park or short walks to get him further acclimated. Praise and reward him as he progresses, but correct any negative behavior immediately. If you need help, consider an obedience or socialization program. The local Petco may offer one or both.

You can use a head harness, such as a Gentle Leader or Halti, to exert more control and to easily redirect Bruno away from any stimuli. Work with a trainer to reinforce basic commands, especially "sit", "stay" and "leave it".

Unfortunately nipping/lashing out/aggression is a very complex topic and one that may be difficult to fix without a trainer. Because it is multifactoral- Bernie’s temperament, your temperament, Bernie’s experiences, your experiences, the environment- your surest, fastest and safest bet is to work with a trainer or behaviorist. Basically, the trainer will watch you and Bernie, paying attention to how you react to each other and the environmental stimulus. The trainer will then work with both of you to modify both of your behaviors to meet a common goal. The humane society can often recommend a trainer/behaviorist. Otherwise go online and read ratings and reviews. There are several different training methods so you will need to find the one that works best for you and your pup. You should also stop by the library and pick up a few books about dog behavior and dog training so that you can learn to recognize Bernie’s body language. By knowing what he is saying, you be better able to react before he nips. You have to step in at level 2, by the time he nips he’s already at level 10. I hope this at least points you in the right direction. Please post again with any further questions.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Draco. Changing homes can be stressful to a dog, but his behavior towards your father is worrisome. I would make an appointment for a consultation with your veterinarian. You will what to discuss neutering him and any other factors in the home that can be contributing to his aggression. In the meantime, keep him on a leash so that you can grab it if he starts to bark or lunge. Never leave him unsupervised with your younger siblings. Practice positive reinforcement by giving him treats and praise for good behavior. Never physically punish a dog for bad behavior as this only leads to anxiety and further aggression. I hope this information helps.

This behavior is likely to improve with time. Take them on leash walks together frequently (twice a day if at all possible). Feed them in separate rooms, as this is the time he is most likely to actually snap at her. If his behavior is not improving, consider keeping a [basket muzzle](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/baskerville-ultra-black-muzzle-for-dogs) on him when they are inside so he can't hurt her. Also, if his behavior isn't getting better, ask your vet for a referral to a trainer or behaviorist who can help you. Thanks for asking PetCoach!