Fear Of New People

by Dan
(Catawissa, Mo)

We found what appears to be an Australian Shepherd. She was scared of us at first and would not come near us except to go outside. After a couple of days she's fine with us. It appears that she was handled rough before by her cowering when I go to pet her.

She is aggressive to other dogs who are hyper. And she is frightened by new people who show up at our house. She doesn't bite at them, but will bark and maybe growl, but never show her teeth. Is this something that could be worked out or will this dog continue to have issues? If it's workable, how do we do it? She is such a nice girl.