airwalk wrote:On the other hand, something to consider, is she only doing this with very specific people, not just something like all men or all men with hats...sometimes I think dogs have much better instincts about people than we do. She may have a handful of men she just plain doesn't like.
well, yes.... But, Oscar's issues had really just started to become an "issue" and his behavior presented itself with "weird people", most of them were odd in behavior one way or another, although I didn't feel threatened by them or really act any different to them.
Even if he is picking out "sketchy" people, I really feel that his behavior is still not ok Especially given his breed. And we all know its about appearences. If someone is really doing nothing that warrants the behavior (trying to interact with a pet is a pretty benign action), then it may mark either 1) their own impression of the breed, wich they may express to others, 2) other people who witness this "attack" perception of the breed, if they see this seemingly unwarranted behavior (e.g."oh my dog, that Pit Bull just snapped and acted aggressive toward that person doing nothing!")
If I'm ever clearly threatened I know Oscar will back me up, but I'd like him to be taking cues from me instead of deciding on his own I don't expect him to love on everyone, but I do expect him to tolerate any one I want him to, wich sometimes includes creepy or sketchy people, or those who I simply don't like.
I also wonder if allowing gaurding or apprehensive type behaviors is a bit of a slippery slope? If the behavior would spread towards poeple who weren't deserving of the dog's reservations?