Dog Agression

Question
We adopted a Shepherd/Husky mix from the pound and do not know her history. She is very loving towards humans, cats, and big dogs. However, she hates small dogs.
While I was walking her, she got off her leash and killed a small dog that ran up to her wanting to play. I could not stop her. Everytime she sees a small dog, she does her best to get to it. We love this dog, but now I am nervous about taking her walking. Can she be trained to not attack small dogs? Furthermore, should I be concerned that she will attack a small child? What about my infant?(of course she will never be left alone with it) She really seems to love humans and we don't want to give her up. Thanks!

Jennifer

Answer
Jennifer,
  I am sorry to hear of your situation, as dealing with such a dog aggressive dog is a sticky situation. Although most dogs that exhibit dog aggression can be loving companions toward their families, once a dog has been involved in  such a dramatic attack, their is little hope of completely curing this behavior. Some dogs can be re-conditioned, but this would evolve having a professional trainer and behaviorist work with the dog, with no guarantees that would come to even dog show improvement. I have specialty training and education in working with dogs with aggression behaviors, and know in most cases when a dog comes to actually kill another dog the aggression is beyond repair. I will offer a couple of different suggestions that may help, however please be aware that I can not recommend that the dog not be put down in fear of her being a danger to society. It is unfortunate, but this is a common problem, and a vicious cycle, as most likely she was placed up for adoption because of this reason, and if your returned her to the adoption agency the cycle would repeat and she could actually come to hurt not only another dog, but a person or child as well.
Most likely as long as she is supervised around your baby, and has not shown any signs of aggression to the baby, she will not come to harm him. It is a difficult choice, but keep in mind that there are many dogs in need of homes that do not have such serious behavioral issues, and may be better suited for you and your family. The alternatives I am going to recommend would almost certainly need to be practiced for the remainder of her life, if you decide to use them.
First, I highly recommend you place a soft muzzle on her when you walk her in areas that small dogs may be present. A soft muzzle would allow her to be walked safely, and prevent another attack if she where to get away. Additionally she needs to be obedience trained to ensure you have complete control over her at all times. I suggest you look to enlist the help of a private trainer, and avoid group classes. Consistency is key, as is the practice of positive and negative reinforcement work best. Next use a halti or similar head halter to walk her, in addtion to a prong type choke chain. She may be able to remove the head halter, but a prong chain is made to not slip over her head or come undone. This is a very serious piece of training equipment, and if not used properly can cause more harm than good, this is why the use of a private trainer is recommended.
Avoid a trainer who uses treat training, military style training tactics, and any one who tells you that they can "cure" the problem. A good qualified trainer should be experienced in dealing with dog aggressive dogs, and the reconditioning process.
Next look to her diet, as most pet owners are not aware of the ingredients being used in the commercial foods that they choose to feed their pets. Look to the main ingredients in the food you are feeding, and know that by-products consist of not only indigestible items such as; feathers, hair, hooves, fecal matter, and diseased meats, deemed inconsumable for human consumption and are usually what is scraped off the floors of slaughter houses. Listed fillers are items such as hair, peanut hulls, and even newspaper. Added sugars, preservatives and food coloring contribute to hyperactivity.Not only are most of these foods indigestible, but they provide inadequate nutrients.  
Most likely she is lacking the majority of the nutrients her body needs to function on a daily basis. This can not only leave him immune system weak and vulnerable and affect her behavior, but can lead to most of the diseases that are pets come to be plagued by.
I will offer a few food alternatives to the current food you are feeding, and can promise you will see a complete change not only in her behavior, and appearance, but in her overall welfare. The foods I have come to recommend are the result of years of research on nutrition I have done on the subject and its relation to canine and feline behavior, illnesses, and diseases.
Before I started my research I was also completely unaware of the direct relation. I came to realize that several of the breeds of dogs I own, (Mastiffs), where all developed in Europe and it made complete sense, that they evolved eating food ingredients indigenous to that region.
Before hand my dogs my dogs suffered many ailments from allergies to the occasional onset of unexplained diarrhea. Not to mention that all my dogs are rescue cases that where scheduled to be destroyed because of behavioral issues that their owners could not handle, including dog aggression. Once I started to feed them with foods made of lamb, chicken, and barley, and oatmeal, they did complete 180 turn around, and what seemed like overnight, all the existing conditions they where displaying previously disappeared.
Most commercial dog foods on the market here in America contain beef parts, and corn fillers. Knowing that most breeds of dogs are European created breeds, and have a tendency to skin problems and conditions; I recommend you change her food to one of the following; Innova, (California Natural), Solid Gold, (Hund-n-flocken), Neura/Old Mother Hubbard, (Wellness), Natural life, (Lambaderm), or Natures Recipe (Adult lamb and rice, or their breed specific created food for working breeds of dogs).
Most of these food can be found at large pet supply stores and although they are more costly, she will come to eat less, (since she will be filled with nutritional foods rather than indigestible fillers), and you will need to buy less. Your dog food bill will be actually less.
Finally, I recommend you add an over the counter supplement called, "The Missing Link" to her diet. It is also available at most large pet supply stores. It has not only all the proper levels of nutrients, vitamins and minerals our dogs need, but also high levels of omega fatty acids that will ward off any skin problems, excessive shedding, and allergies. Note: It is believed that dogs that display aggression towards people, animals or is unprovoked do so in relation to liver problems, and dogs that display aggression from fear, do so in relation to kidney problems or imbalances.
I invite you to research these findings; there is a great deal written informative information, in addtion to a immense amount of information on the internet. Further more look to providing her a raw or Natural diet, as even the best dog foods contain processed ingredients and chemicals that can affect our dog's long run health.
In conclusion I want to address some alternative remedies. Suggested holistic remedies include; Sepia, a female remedy that aids in preventing aggression, Nux Vomica for liver related fighting, and Theratox as a cleanser for all systems. Bach Flower Essences that may help are Holly, and Crabapple.
Finally, you can discuss drug therapy with your veterinarian. I will provide you some suggested medications available for aiding in calming various behavioral problems in dogs including aggression. They include; Alprazolam, Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Doxepin, Fluoxetine, Methylphenidate, and Sertraline. Even though drug therapy may seem extreme, if it a choice between giving her drugs all her life and having her euthanized they are a better choice.
I honestly hope this offers some help. I trust you will take my warnings to heart and understand the seriousness of your situation and not only seek outside help, but look to apply the recommendations I have provided. I see no reason why she should not be given a chance. However, know that as I said, it will take a great deal of effort on your part to help ensure she is not a danger to other dogs or even people. I wish you all the best. Please feel free to get back to me for more information, or with any additional questions or concerns.
                                     Jodi