Rosie isn't doing so well here ) :

[Gypsy Jazmine]

We brought Rosie home fome the shelter on Dec. 1...She was turned in as a stray so we have no background on her...She was wonderful until about a week or so ago when she showed her first sign of agression when she tried to bite the vet when he took her spay sutures out...We chalked it up as fear agression & the vet said not to worry too much about it just to keep an eye on her...Well, she has now lunged at my daughter's face twice...I explained to Missy (age 7) again that she musn't put her face too close to Rosie's because it might scare Rosie because we don't know anything about what she's been through & may not have always been treated with the love & kindness that Sam & Pippin have always had...I also have been working with her on her terrorizing my cats & just last night she started barking aggressivly at the bunnies that live in the houser downstairs..Sh e was fine with both cats & bunnies to start with...She was an angel!!...Then tonight she jumped our fence (or dug out...I'll ahve to check the preimeter in the morning) & I had to go retrieve her from the neighbors yard...Sam & Pippin who have always loved the cats have taken Rosie's lead & started terrorizing them & last night were barking at the bunnies with her...It seems they are learning alot from her & most of it is not good...I simply can't have them learning to leave the fenced in yard so, for now, she will have to go out on a leash or by herself to potty...I don't know what to do with her...It breaks my heart to think we might have to put her back into rescue...HELP PLEASE!!!!!

[Kermit]

Oh NO!!!
I'm so sorry to hear this!!! Maybe it is just a phase where she is testing to see who is in charge?? That is so scary about her lunging at your daughter!!! She looks like such a sweetheart in all the pictures! Has anything changed in the household lately?
I just don't know what to say. I would hate for anyone to get hurt. I know how you feel in regards to the cats- Leeloo our newest member is teaching Mokey and Turkey to terrorize the cats and I am trying to nip it in the bud... but the aggression towards a human family member... I just can't imagine how hard for you that must be. Can you talk to a behaviourist about it?
I hope somehow you can get to the root of the problem and maybe she can come around... it's so hard sometimes with rescues... sometimes they are so damaged and it takes so much patience and understanding to work through past traumas with them.

I am wishing the best and wishing that she can stay with you!

[Nina]

 I really don't know what to tell you as I have never had this type of problem before. I think that what she needs is some firm training. Maybe she is trying to be the dominate one in the pack and you just need to put her in her place.

Good luck

Nina

[GrumpyBunny]

Aw, Gyps, DANG that DARN honeymoon period.  *sound of me not swearing*...  It's always got to end...

Sounds like she is starting to settle in and feel comfortable enough to show more of her personality and test some boundaries.  We know all about that here in my house... 

I agree that you don't want her behavior rubbing off on the boys, and any kind of biting around kids is definitely a worry.  I wish I had some good advice for you, but I am no expert.  I can only offer moral support.  Maybe Red has some ideas?  Maybe Jackie?

I am wishing the best for you!

[Gypsy Jazmine]

Thanks guys!...I am willing to work with her definitely!!...I am calling out trainer/behaivoralist tomorrow for advise & support...She is a sweetheart!!...I am having a heck of a time teaching her the down command & to leave the cats alone though...I don't know what to do about the fence jumping...I have a feeling it is not going to be an isolated incident...I had her microchipped when she was spayed & from now on she'll ahve to wear he collar with tages when she goes out in the yard...I'll keep ya's posted on our naughty Rosie!

[DixieSugarBear]

Hi Gypsy,   I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time.  Good luck. 

[Jessdryden]

Darn it.  I'm so sorry you all are having a rough time.  I don't have any advice, but we're sending you good thoughts and wishing you the best.

[Gypsy Jazmine]

Thank again guys!...I got up early this morning & let the boys out & made Rosie wait to go out...I took her out on leash into the yard & we walked for awhile & then I let her loose to do her business & get some excercise...I called her to my side several times & she always complied & I greeted her good behaivor with praise treats...When it was time to come in she readily came into the house...So, for now Miss Rosie will not go out without me & won't walk out the door off leash until she earns some trust...Maybe I have been too lenient with her...Rosie is officially in Mama Kay's version of boot camp!...I did not find a spot where she dug under the fence so she must have gone over it...Twice Icaught her staring over across the street where I found her last night & she was reprimanded for even thinking it!...I'll call our trainer later for input & see when he can come out...I'll keep ya's posted!

[Kiahpyr]

I'm so sorry Chelle. Hopefully you and the trainer will be able to nip her behavior in the bud. Hang in there girl!

[Icerotti]

Sorry to hear you are having a few issues with Rosie. Hopefully it will be something correctable. Wishing you all the best.

[longshadowfarms]

How old is she?  Are you aware that there is an element of mental illness in Pyrs that is similar to bipolar?  It is treated with the same medications used in humans.  It normally appears when the dog is right about age 2, equivalent to the later teen years in humans.  This happened to us with our first Pyr at a little less than age 2.  He too went after my young daughter without any provocation.  His eyes would kind of glaze over when he went out of it (you'd actually see the change) and he'd be remorseful afterward.  If this is the case, it may be very difficult to work through, esp with a child in the house.  Getting the medication dosage correct is extremely tricky and may need adjusting throughout life.  Our Pyr was 150 lbs and one mistake could have been fatal.  I do hope this is a behavioral issue and not a hereditary one.  I never did find out what happened to my Pyr's sister but she too exhibited some problems about a year after mine.

[GR8DAME]

Just a few words of encouragement, Chelle. Raven is the only female dog I have ever owned, although I grew up with females.
Her history may be close to Rosie's, in that she was abused as well and we got her at about a year or so old, and that she had some "issues".
She spent about a year, challanging me for dominence. We had regular stare downs, growling and an occaisional snap. I think it was for alpha female status, and the only reason that Casey was not involved was because she was too young to be a threat. After about a year of constant reinforcement of my alpha status she did mellow. Ten years later we do occaisionally butt heads, but not as often or as violently, and she will back down much more quickly. I can't think of any better strategy than calling in a trainer/behaviorist to help you out, as you are already doing, I just wanted you to know that all is not bleak and this can be worked through.
Stella

[Gypsy Jazmine]

The trainer will be here tomorrow at 2:30...I think he will advise me to use NILIF with her...I've already started cracking down...Rosie, isn't a Pyr as far as we know...I am sorry I didn't clarify that...We believe she is a Kuvasz mix of some sort...She has been aged between 2 to 3 & was just spayed 2 weeks ago...Here she is....& ty everyone forthe advise & support!

[longshadowfarms]

Just reading your thread again and it connected you'd only had Rosie less than 2 months.  That is still very much in the adjustment period which makes it highly likely that she is be trying to assert herself in the pack.  That said, the problems I had with my first Pyr are not just a Pyr issue.  It was first seen (documented? made headlines?) in Springer Spaniels and was called "Rage" in that breed.  There is a distinct glazing over of the eyes that you really can't miss once you've seen it and look for it in the next incident.  THere is such an element of lack of normal/lack of control that really stands out.  That is what caught my attention in your posts but as I said, that is likely due to the adjustment period and her newness in the pack.  It is still something to be aware of and keep an eye out for, esp with a dog of unknown background.  I do wish you well.  It is a horrible position to be caught in - the knowledge that you must protect your child coupled with love for the dog.  The behaviorist ought to be able to help you sort through and deal with this situation.  We had help with our Pyr as well and it was so reassuring to have someone knowledgeable work through it with us.

Found a couple of links on aggression and rage that might give you some ideas.  From one of the links:  This problem (rage) has also been reported in American Cocker Spaniels, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Dobermanns, English Bull Terriers, English Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Pyrenean Mountain Dogs and St. Bernards. Again, the number of affected animals is very small.

http://www.cockerspanielrage.org.uk/whatisrage.htm

http://www.vetinfo.com/daggression.html

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

[Gypsy Jazmine]

That's what I was kind of thinking that she her "honeymoon" period is over & she is showing us who she is...Tomorrow, when my hubby is home to do it, the crate will be brought back in & we are going back to square one with training...lik e she is a new puppy...She had no training whatsoever when we got her...but because she did so well housebreaking & got along so well with my dogs we didn't crate...My dogs are confined to two rooms in the house that are pretty much puppy proofed so those rooms are their "crate"...They get to come into the rest of the house with invitation...B ut, I didn't factor in that Rosie may need the mindset that comes with crate training so back we go to it...Also, I am not taking her into the yard without the leash & after we have walked & she has minded me when I give a command I am taking the leash off & staying out there with her...If she does not come when called the leash goes back on & we go back in...Anyway, that's where we are right now...I will keep you all posted.