Shar Pei Behavior Changes - More Scared

Question
QUESTION: I have a 6 1/2 year old male Shar Pei. We have noticed over the last few months that he has grown increasingly scared of people.  When we walk him and someone compliments him and wants to pet him, he begins to get close and cower behind us and ducks to not let them touch him.  It started with men or people in uniform and now children and even a baby!  However, he continues to be aggressive toward animals.  We do not let him come into contact with other animals because of his aggressive behavior.  This has always been the case.  We have had him since he was 8 weeks old.  We bought him and a brother from a breeder in South Carolina. They grew up together and have had some fights but for the most part lived well together.  They were both neutered at 11 months (early due to aggressive behavior).  His brother was more confident and would check things out first and then he would follow.  However, the dog in question became the dominant dog between the two because he was larger and stronger.  His brother died a year ago from cancer.  We then moved from Florida to Atlanta a year ago from the suburbs to the City.  The transition was good because he gets more walks, but now he is acting very scary around people/kids.  This is difficult because we walk in very populated places and it is embarrassing. Please help.

ANSWER: You describe a changein personality with a change in living circumstances, the death of the brother dog and moving.  Your dog seems to be saying he is unsure of his status because of the multipleechanges in his life. Some breeds take changes with little notice, others develop personality or behavior changes.  

I woudl start with socialization classes, and play activitiesd  that involve agility, non competitve play and other fun doggy activities.  If you can accomodate another dog, I would in a few months investigate adopting another of the same breed, a neutered female adult, not a puppy so your dog has a friend to keep him occupied. Dogs that have had companions generally do better with a new companion after th eloss.

Regards,
Henry Ruhwiedel
Westwind Kennels LLC
www.dogkennel.org

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your prompt response.  There is additional info that I did not elaborate on to try to shorten the questions.  But it is important since one of your recommendations is to get another companion dog.  I am afraid that he may hurt a companion dog or a dog in the one of the classes.  He acts very aggressive to dogs when we are walking and he and his brother had gotten into fights over the years.  The last two was when his brother was sick, which was surprising.  His brother was in pain so he did not want to be bothered and gave off a negative signal. His brother also may have gotten a little extra attention due to vet visits, etc., but Kobe fought him.  I am not talking just about a lot of noise and posturing. There was blood and vet visit and he had to take antibiotics, etc.  So, I have been very apprehensive about letting him socialize with other dogs.  Also, the unusual behavior I described in original letter did not occur until about 10 months after the move.  He seemed happy about the move due to the environment change and he receives more walks. Do you still think we should proceed with original advice?  

Answer
Your added comments shed new light on the issues. I would get with a professional trainer and do the socialization/desensitizaation. the dog's behavior is similat to alot of abused dogs we work with in the county animal control shelter and have had many customers come in with abused dogs they adopted with agression issues. One in particular was a beagle that had been tazered to fight other dogs. It took  20 weeks of therapy and work, but the dog can now associate with other dogs and not go into agressive fight mode. Its still shy and will occasionally growl, but much better. I am going on that direction since you say you have had regular vet visits and there is no medical cause for his aggression.

I'll reverse my recommendation for a companion dog at this time, as the dog is not ready to accept another at this point.

Regards,

Henry Ruhwiedel
Westwind Kennels LLC