KERRY SCHIPPERT

I've had Bailey since she was 8-9 weeks old. She & her brother had been abandoned along side a highway at approximately 8 weeks & I adopted her through a rescue group. I was told she was the timid pup of several pups the group had. We had 4 cats at the time & other than wanting to chase them (which I successfully corrected) she didn't show any aggression. The Chihuahuas are now 11 years each. Approximately age 1 1/2 Bailey started picking unprovoked fights with Brandy, the female Chihuahua and would decide to attack her at various times for no decernable reason. I didn't have to be present. She never injured her, it was more of a mauling her around. At age 1 1/2 I enrolled her in a group training class & she was fine. iI had already been working on basics with her but wanted her ecposed to new people & animals. She did fine but did not want to be petted by anyone. No growls, just pushing against my leg. But the Brandy attacks & bathroom attacks continued. At age 2 we started with a one on one dog trainer. Bailey learned a lot & I worked with her a lot. She is pretty well trained but I'm going to start working with her daily again. Her tells prior to attack have been the hard stare. Sometimes I could distract her but often the minute I spoke she'd attack. Have mostly gotten that under control using her sit/stay commands & avoiding likely situations. And on an average day they interact fine. The last few incidents have involved me sitting at the end of the couch. Either one of the small dogs, or cat, will be laying on the couch beside me on the right. I won't let Bailey come for a pet on the right to avoid issues.So she comes on my left side for her pet. On 3-4 occasions now she has lunged to attack the other animal across my knees. Either dog or cat. No growl & no stare. From totally calm to Cujo. The instant she does this I automatically shout & she immediately stops & runs either to her bed or to her crate. She can also be in her bed & another animal can walk past & she's fine. But she will occasionally lunge/snap at them. Just never know when it will happen. Last week one of the cats was sitting in the window above her bed & I saw her hard staring at the cat. I was on the couch 10' away & I immediately stood & called to her ,not yelling but just saying her name, and she lunged/snapped at the cat then ran into her crate. The cats & dogs have mostly learned to keep an eye on her. And I NEVER leave all of them alone together. If I'm not in the room either Bailey goes in her crate or I put the small ones in their room. I don't believe the other animals have stared at her. On the couch they're just laying beside me & relaxed. And the cat inthe window had her back to Bailey. I normally walk Bailey & the litudogs each morning for approximately an hour and Bailey never shows aggression, even if sniffing the same clump of weeds. However my husband has had serious medical issues lately & I've been unable to walk each day. I do know Bailey needs exercise so am taking time this evening. I apologize that this is so long & rambling. I just have been unable to place Bailey in any one category. It's normally been when I've been close, but not always. So very frustrating. Any advice appreciated!

My 3 yo Aussie mix has always been very fearful & shy & was not properly socialized as a puppy. We also have 2 small senior Chihuahuas & 3 cats & they were here before Bailey. Bailey is fine with all in their daily comings & goings. The issue that happens is primarily when I'm sitting on the couch & one of the cats or dogs is laying beside me. Bailey comes to sit at my feet for a pet. All can be fine & then I tell her to go to her bed, which she will. However, occasionally, & TOTALLY without warning (no hard stare, growl, etc) Bailey will lung & snap @ the othother animal. Then immediately stop & run into her crate or bed. She obviously knows this is bad behavior. She used to attack when all dogs would come into bathroom in a.m. while I was getting ready. So I simply shut the door & no one comes in. But how do I stop the aggression at the couch if she already knows she's wrong & puts herself in "time out" ?