Noticed you just registered today. Welcome to the forum.
It sounds like you need serious help from an animal behaviorist. Ask your vet for some names of specialists that can help you with aggression.

I respectfully disagree that you need a "behaviorist". What you need, IMO, is a basic Obedience class. AND, you need to apply yourself to the fundamentals of it.

The immediate reply here is nearly always a call for a "behaviorist", as though the behaviors you've described are aberant. I, personally, don't agree. I think your dog is doing precisely what any member of the species would do in the absence of "leadership". Consider the history or the breed you have taken into your home... . I think a basic obedience class would teach you a great deal about how your DOG views the world. Ultimately, it's up to you to learn how your dog sees the world, only then will you be able to establish control.

Until you begin to understand how your dog "thinks" and views the world no amount of "gadgets" will give you "control"

JMO (owner of a big dog adopted at 1 1/2yrs. with NO training/total jerk... he's under control now and rather pleasant company)

I don't feel that the absence of 'leadership' would necessarily cause aggression towards dogs/animals. I second Quirky's recommedation for at least a consultation with a behaviorist. Aggression in dogs of any size is never something to be taken lightly, as things can get out of hand in one hell of a hurry. Obedience training is also important, but unless you want to pay for private training, my first step would be to get a handle on her aggression issues.

Was your Rhodie girl socialized as a pup?

You don't need a "behaviorist" to explain the basics of canine society. Any book on dog training will do that for you, but you have to make the time to read it!

Sorry, the whole "behaviorist" thing too often freaks people out and the COST is prohibitive.

Basic Obedience addresses most of the issues immediately. And if the dog is beyond the scope of the class they'll tell you right away. AND, they'll have a ton of resources available for you!

Basic Obedience is the KEY. (Bull Mastiff/German Shepherd cross) It works!

What part of "3 other vet bills" and "going mental" didn't draw an adequate picture for you, Chelone?

The OP can always contact an obedience trainer, I'm sure they would not allow that kind of dog in the class and would send them to a behaviorist.

And you can't fix this by watching a tv show either.

I can only speak for my area but the vast majority of obedience classes here do not have an instructor that could deal with an aggressive dog. They can show you how to teach your dog to sit, down, stay etc and even with that the classes I've observed are still sometimes a joke. And these are suposed "certified" trainers and trainers that consistantly score very high in obedience trials. Not that a class teaching these things is a bad idea, it will help OP learn to relate to the dog better and teach basic manners but I think a few private consultations are in order before she tries to take the dog to a public class. Also read and learn as much as you can about Rhodies by finding a mentor with many years of experience with a breed to help you understand the personality quirks of the breed and what they need to be a well socialized dog. A good breeder or fancier with the best interest of the breed at heart is willing to help you no matter where the dog came from. And honestly there are some dogs that are not trustworthy around strange dogs or off leash no matter what kind of training you do. It's just the way they are hard wired. It's not a bad thing, it just is what it is. but a GOOD trainer and/or behaviorist and breed person can help you learn to live with it saftly or decide if it is something you can live with. I'm not trying to make you feel like your dog is a lost cause, with work he may become very controlable but it takes a lot of work and dedication.

Lisa

The big point for me about the obedience training was *there are other dogs there.* If she will attempt to leave a moving vehicle to attack an animal or another dog, then I would not think it likely that she would 'sit' while surrounded by other dogs. Aside from that, there's private obedience training - oh-so-expensive.... might as well get a behaviorist? JMHO...

The BEST part of obedience classes is that there will be other dogs there!

I'm not "missing" anything when it comes to Obedience classes. We've been to several. (and "passed").
"3 vet. bills and going mental" tells me instantly that the owner knows NOTHING about dogs and how they behave! It tells me instantly that the dog is "runnin' the show" because the "owner" has NO CLUE about how to assume leadership/control.

My assessment may mean nothing, but I damn sure know where I'd start with a dog under 1 yr. old! I think many of you presume too much... sometimes the most BASIC obedience work is all that's required. 9 times out of 10 it AIN'T about the dogs, it's about the OWNERS and what they don't know.

I do not think it is ever a good idea to tie you dog up outside, especially if it is aggressive.

You do need to get to somone who deals with aggressive behavior.

Please don't take the dog to obedience class with other dogs. When I took my dog I had problems with the "show dog" behind us that kept charging at my dog and nipping at him and some were pretty good bites. It tuned out that the "show dog" was there in class AGAIN because he had bit a judge. They did nothing about his behavior so I quit the class.
If the dog is tied up and left alone, I strongly suspect that has influenced her behavior. Have you checked to see if another dog or person is taunting your dog when tied up? Just as a child or even some adults act out for attention, so can a pet.
I'd check into anything that might be effecting the dog and talk to my vet for suggestions on someone that can work with you to change your dog's behavior.
As this has been going on for a while, you may have to find her a home where they can give her attention and work with her. Sad but if you aren't able to have the time for her, it's only going to get worse.
Lynn

What I'm assuming about Leanne, and please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, is that she is a casual pet owner, loves her dog but has no experience with this kind of behavior. I'm also assuming he is probably a pretty decent size dog. Now while I wouldn't have thought twice about taking my male Akita, who pretty much believed if it was alive it shouldn't be, into a class setting if you are unfamiliar with how to handle a dog that is acting like she decribes in a group setting them private lessons are the way to go until you begin to get a handle on the problem then move to group lessons. And I throughly agree that most behavior problems start with the owner. But not always. And since this problem has reached the proportions she describes, until she begins to get a handle on things I'd be very cautious with him.

Lisa

Lynn I don't blame you for leaving the class. The obedience classes should be fun and safe without worry of being attacked by an aggressive dog. I don't know why this subject has turned into a debate then again I don't understand why most of the stuff comes under debate on this forum.

As an obedience instructor, I'm going to chime in very quickly...not a lot of time right now to get in-depth...and I'll try not to get hung up on semantics *s*

Have you contacted the rescue/shelter etc. to alert them of this potentially very serious problem? Talked to your vet and received a recommendation? These are important first steps. Based on your post, the dog is 9 months old...which I think is incorrect?? I'm assuming that you really obtained an 11 month old dog and said dog is more likely almost 2 years old. Many breeds demonstrate a marked shift in personality from 18-24 months of age and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are quite commonly dog-aggressive, especially same-sex.

I agree with Lisa's assessment. It takes some experience to deal with a serious dog aggression. 3 vet bills for other dog's injuries means that so far you've allowed the dog to be out of control. This dog MUST be on a leash when in public and you MUST maintain control of the dog. If you can't control the dog, you need to muzzle the dog until you've gained experience and instruction. Furthermore, an "electronic trainer" is NOT for a novice, especially when dealing with aggression. Harsh corrections have their place, but you must have exquisite timing so that the dog associates the correction with its own behavior and not another animal. It's hard to do.

There are classes that specialize in aggressive dogs - I have 2 in my class right now - and I agree with Chelone in that training will help (and with Lisa about the quality of some classes). A GOOD trainer is well-versed in dog behavior and is worth much more than a "behaviorist". A GOOD behaviorist is well-versed in obedience training and is worth much more than an "obedience instructor." The name and certification aren't worth a hill of beans unless either can help you get the results you need to ensure everyone's safety.

A few private lessons or at least an evaluation to make sure that you are able to control your dog at all times is vital. Until an instructor is positive that YOU have the skill necessary to ensure everyone else's safety, you should consider private lessons or a class where you can be segregated.....not typically an indoor class in a small area, but rather a LARGE parking lot with you at one end and everyone else at the other end.....or a corral with you outside the fence, etc. Being around other dogs is your goal, but we'd need to make sure someone or something doesn't get hurt in working toward this goal.

i would further suggest you crate the dog in the moving vehicle for your safety and that of fellow motorists until you've learned to manage the dangerous behavior and train alternative safe behaviors.

Well said Shroppie!

SG

What Shroppie said. In addition, if you find you cannot control this dog, please consider giving it up to a more experienced dog owner before he bites a person and you get sued.

Whether you see a baviorist or a obedience trainer, the main goal is to train the person how to the handle the dog.

I think I would try obedience class first, though a good class trainer will probably set you and your dog aside to get you in control - if you can't get control, then expect to be tossed out of obedience class. Which then you might want to get either one and one training...

The key is that YOU need to be trained how to handle your dog. Your dog is just doing what comes naturally to him.

wow, okay, did you know that training a dog to not be dog aggressive take take over a year??
Since you know your dog is dog aggressive, never go out without a leash on her. The second she lifts her ears, or stiffens up or even looks at another dog have her sit and stay. The second she challenges your command, you need to be on her for it, tell her firmly NO, LEAVE IT. If you have a choke chain on her give it a quick tug and release. If you see a dog coming, put her in a laying down position. DONT LET HER GET UP.
You will need to work on other areas as well, always having her on a leash, never allowig her out a door before you and wlaking her for a good 45 minutes a day to start off with.

Dog training is not really on timeline, its happens every day for the life of the dog, any dog... not just the aggressive ones.

The routine that you set up, the walks that you do, the manners that you teach - those are all parts of training a dog. The type of behavoir that you expect and enforce in your dogs every day routine is "training".

She's only 9 months old and you already have problems. Your dog will only get bigger and stronger, so you must act now. I agree with mazer's advice above.

Are you sure she's "loving" to humans? Does she lean on you? Step or lay on your feet? Does she come over and nuzzle you to pet her? If so, these are acts of dominance over you and you need to set some boundries.

You don't say what kind of training you've done with her. RRs are naturally independent hunting dogs with a high prey drive and should have an experienced owner. The good thing is, they are very intelligent and easy to train. If you don't have time for training everyday, you should consider rehoming. Better that than having the animal tied up her entire life.

Here is a link that might be useful: CO RR Club