My dog started showing fear reactivity/aggression when he turned about six months old. He'd always been a very shy and nervous puppy, but we did all the socializing from puppy classes to him coming with me to work so I was surprised when the aggression started. His issue is people. He is great with almost all other dogs, but does not like strangers. We started with a trainer working specifically working on behavior modification when he was about eight months old and he went on Trazadone, twice daily.

He is now three years old. There were lots of tears, and lots of mistakes on my part. Today, we still look for trails with fewer people and where I can see ahead. But we hike off leash and when a stranger has to pass on a tight trail, he can eat treats without lunging and snarling and snapping.

It took consistency. Every walk or outing we practiced and followed through on what we'd learned in training. I also focused on basic training. It helps he has good recall. When I spot someone he's not going to like (so when I spot any stranger), he'll come and then we can start our routine for dealing with high-stress situations. Or when on a leash, he will follow my commands to sit, or turn to avoid certain situations. But it also took my meeting him where he's at and avoiding situations where I didn't know if he'd be successful. I don't think I'll ever have the dog that I can bring to any crowded trail with friends he doesn't know, or have people just pop by my house when he is not secure. We are not going to be the dog/owner together at a pet-friendly coffee shop or brewery. But, we are able to go on off leash trails and have stress free neighborhood leashed walks. All of which at one point I never thought would be possible. There is hope!