My dogs

Question
QUESTION: Howdy,
I guess I will try and give you some background on my dog for starters... Philly is a 5.5yr old staffordshire bullterrior, I brought her home when she was 8 weeks old, from day 1 she was very well socialized with both people and other dogs, I would bring her everywhere with me. I used the "positive reinforcement" training technique and have NEVER beat her. I pride myself in trying to represent the "Pit Bull" breed well, and have received many compliments on Phillys' behaviour, but she seems to have to attack my motorcycle/bicycle/skateboard whenever I am touching them, she even popped my lawnmower tire. It is very difficult to get through to her when she is in these "frenzies", as far as animal aggression she likes to chase anything that moves, but in more of a play type fashion, but she has killed three sparrows, and a squirrel in the past. Now to the big problem, she has been staying at my dads, because my home was foreclosed on in april, I go out and visit her as much as I can, but anyway my stepmom has a dog training business for obedience and agility, so Philly has been staying with her 8 dogs, her australian shepherd(kate) has seizures, last night my dad came home to her mauling kate. Philly has snapped at some of the other dogs before, but they are usually antaganizing her when she is trying to relax, just a snarl and show of the teeth so they go on their way, and I digress, my dad and stepmother think that kate probably had a seizure, because they have witnessed the 2 jacks attack kate when she has had an episode in the past, also the last time kate had one, philly was around and kim (dads wife) had to call my dad to the room to get philly to calm down. Now my dad said that they probably should have kenneled kate, in their absence, after that, but they didn't. I would have never in a million years thought philly capable of that type of behaviour, she almost killed kate, my dad had to pull her off of her, he said she was in the same frenzied state like when she is chasing the lawnmower or motorcycles. Have you heard of anything like this before? I really love my girl and do not want to ever  see something like this happen again.

ANSWER: Philly obviously has a high prey drive (chasing birds, squirrels) NORMAL behavior for any terrier and not to be faulted.  Her aggression toward the lawn mower, etc., is NORMAL behavior, the result of persistence in the face of intransigence (the lawn mower will NOT STOP and the dog persists).  There are other behaviors you can teach her (given time) to redirect her aggression toward appliances (like the lawn mower) but until then she needs to be protected from further developing this behavior by being confined whenever such an appliance is being used.  The fact that she has so beautifully habituated to your parents' multiple dog household is HIGHLY COMMENDABLE and you are to be congratulated.  Her response to Kate's seizure and obvious (to a dog) disability is NORMAL rank related behavior.  In packs (even domestic dog packs), disability often provokes attack; the other dogs are most likely accustomed to seeing this behavior in Kate.  Even dogs well accustomed to one another (in packs) can, and do, demonstrate this aggression toward a disabled (suddenly disabled) dog.  Many years ago I had a friend whose multiple dog household, Corgis and Doxies, attacked and killed a Corgi who had a seizure.  The "frenzied" state reported by your Dad was NOT as "frenzied" as he might have thought or he would NOT have been able to pull Philly off Kate.  It's almost impossible, without inflicting physical injury, to pull a "pit bull" off its target.  THIS IS NOT PHILLY'S FAULT, nor is it Kate's.  Kate should be carefully monitored by your parents and isolated from the other dogs when they are NOT AT HOME.  Meanwhile, Philly should now be observed closely for signs of any developing problem toward Kate (may not develop, but best safe than sorry.)  As soon as you are able, remove Philly to your own household.

PS: I just wanted to add that your parents (dad and stepmom) obviously have high regard for your intelligence and ability, or they would NOT have accepted a "pit bull" into their multiple dog household.  You have done a marvelous job with this dog.  Don't let this foreclosure episode erode your confidence in yourself!  In today's economy, it is an unfortunately common experience.  YOU CAN SUCCEED! And I have every confidence that you will.

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QUESTION: What would you recommend for her aggressive behavior? I have tried to consistently correct the behavior, but it is awfully hard because she is so persistent.  As of right now, i leave her inside when any of these activities go on.

PS: Thank you very much for the previous answer, and flattery, I try.

ANSWER: I don't know what you mean by 'aggressive behavior'.  If you're referring to her chase/kill instinct, that is NORMAL behavior in a terrier (any breed) and there's absolutely nothing you can do to extinguish it.  However, you can (when you're with the dog and she demonstrates it on leash) redirect it.  Carry a heavy rope pull toy, something she does not HAVE and does not SEE on any other occasion.  When you spy an object (cat, rabbit, etc.) that elicits her natural response, immediately (preferably BEFORE she becomes engaged) redirect her attention to the toy.  She may, or may not, at first accept the redirection; if she does NOT, go immediately (and very quickly) in the opposite direction and praise/reward her attention to YOU the moment she gives it.  You CANNOT extinguish a natural prey drive, but you can attempt to redirect it, thereby (over time) subduing it (somewhat.)

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QUESTION: I'm sorry, I was referring to her chasing the lawnmower/dirtbike.
Thanks

Answer
the dog chases the lawn mower, et al, because they do not respond (they PERSIST).  There's very little you can do to extinguish this behavior without extensive behavior modification.  It's far easier to prevent her from being outdoors when such devices are being used.