VERYYY Protective Black Shepherd.

[Mayissa]

I have a 6 month old black german shepherd. He is a quick learner, he can sit, drop, stay, shake and fetch.HOWEVER, he is too protective and aggressive when people approach me, or with other dogs. His hair raises, he growls, pulls, snaps, and goes for people. He even bit the dog trainers hand once. I have decided to muzzle him in public. Is this OK? How can I change this behaviour? What is appropriate physical discipline for him? Will he grow out of this? Aside from this he is a perfect boy!!!!

[carrie]

Hi,
This a major problem and it must be sorted! At six months old your dog is a baby and it will only get worse and he is only going to get bigger, more powerful and more dangerous.
Putting a muzzle on him is vital.
This is so important that you must seek a proffesional at once to help you. There is no ifs or buts and any modification you attempt on your own may make the situation worse. If you can't afford proffesional help then I'm afraid you can't keep the dog. A puppy showing this amount of aggression is going to grow into a very dangerous animal. Even with proffesional help you may have to accept that the dog has a mental health condition that can't be controlled. Do not put this off! Act now to save a lot of heartache and certain future injury to other people. I repeat a puppy of this age showing this amount of aggression needs to be asessed by a profesional a soon as possible.

[AdoreMyDogs]

I agree with Carie 100%! This really is important and must be addressed right away to avoid alot more heartache or even lawsuits! GSD's are very strong and capable of much damage, they might even be able to kill a young child or an elderly person with little effort. You may not want to think about costly training, but it's a whole lot cheaper then what could happen if your dog goes after the wrong person! People are so "sue crazy" now. Please listen to the advise and get your dog a professional. Don't risk it, don't risk your dog getting lose and mauling someone. It will get worse as your dog matures, Carrie is SO right about that! If the professionals are unable to help, and the dog gets more aggressive and dangerous, you may want to think about whether or not the dog is too much a threat to society to even be around. I know it's not an easy problem but to think of what it could do if the problem does not get solved is scary. I would be afraid to have that type of dog near me or my family for our own safety. Just try to keep the well being of other people in your mind as your dog matures into a strong, powerful adult.

The right professional trainer may teach you and the dog how to control this agression issue, but if not, for the sake of other people, please try to use your best judgement as to whether or not your dog is safe to be in society.

[ownerof3dogs]

My dog is a German Shephard/ Akita mix. She was also very aggressive. She even bit someone when she was About two years old and was Qauarintined. But now at seven she is so friendly. She is a totally different dog. it was like when she hit three she out grew it.But till then,I always stayed away from crowded ares were there were alot of people

[RachelJ]

Is your dog neutered? If not, I would think that might be an additional step to take -even though that is not the answer to the problem - it might help a little.

[carrie]

Please be careful with your GSD/Akita! Great news that she has calmed down as she matured and the origin of her behaviour may have been hormone related. But many dogs that have seemingly recovered from aggression have actually just had an unrecognised trigger removed from their lives. If and when they encounter the trigger again the owner is unprepared and totally shocked when the dog responds aggressively often with devastating results. If you think this doesn't apply to your dog remember that the trigger was never recognised and therefore you are unaware of it's existence. Prudent to bear in mind if nothing else?

[ownerof3dogs]

don't worry even though she is alot more friendlier I always remember that she can bite at any moment

[carrie]

Top Banana!! If only there were a few thousand more of you around!!!!
In that case it's great that a dog that could of had a disasterous life ended up with someone capable and understanding.
Back to the Shepherd, have you had any time to make a decision? I know it's a hard one but the longer you put it off the harder it will be.

[Mayissa]

Originally posted by carrie:
Top Banana!! If only there were a few thousand more of you around!!!!
In that case it's great that a dog that could of had a disasterous life ended up with someone capable and understanding.
Back to the Shepherd, have you had any time to make a decision? I know it's a hard one but the longer you put it off the harder it will be.

[Mayissa]

Hi. Thanks for your replies. I do take my dog to dog obedience and have done since he was about 3 months old. I dont think my dog has a mental health problem. He reacts to a situation, which involves dogs and people approaching me. There is no doubt he is overly protective. He is very predictable. I can tell when he will swipe. When he bit the trainer (on the hand) it was in a context. And I knew it was coming. My dog DOESSS have behaviour problems, I admit that. I have been told dogs have a personality change at 8 and 12 months, so this coupled with training, a muzzle and a VERYYYY responsible dog owner, gives him good chance of change. If he does not change at training I will get 1:1 trainer for him. Please also acknowledge his intelligence, his age, he has learnt a lot. He has stopped biting my other dog, he stops barking when I tell him, he has started to walk past people quietly. I know I have a long way to go. I seek people's ideas about how to deal with aggression to other dogs especially. When he is in "a state" I yell "no", and make him "drop" and sit quietly. Any other ideas please?? I socialise him at shops and parks also.


Originally posted by carrie:
Hi,
This a major problem and it must be sorted! At six months old your dog is a baby and it will only get worse and he is only going to get bigger, more powerful and more dangerous.
Putting a muzzle on him is vital.
This is so important that you must seek a proffesional at once to help you. There is no ifs or buts and any modification you attempt on your own may make the situation worse. If you can't afford proffesional help then I'm afraid you can't keep the dog. A puppy showing this amount of aggression is going to grow into a very dangerous animal. Even with proffesional help you may have to accept that the dog has a mental health condition that can't be controlled. Do not put this off! Act now to save a lot of heartache and certain future injury to other people. I repeat a puppy of this age showing this amount of aggression needs to be asessed by a profesional a soon as possible.

[carrie]

Hi, yeah it's me droning on again,
I am so glad your puppy is showing some improvement.
My concerns are really about the age of your pup. At six months old he should have no idea that he has any possibility of being "dog enough" to bite people. He is also very young and immature to handle the stress and level of training required to control and modify his behaviour.
I think the stratagies you are already employing are very useful but if you can anticipate a bite situation you MUST intervene before it happens. Every bite your dog makes lowers his already very poor inhibitions toward people. The intervention should be quick, strong and of a nature that the dog will have trouble forgetting. For a six month old puppy this is tough going.
In this situation it is impossible to give specific remote advice as the age of the pup and the nature of the problem presents a fine balance.
The fact that the pup will drop ( I am assuming you mean down?) on command is encouraging, practice this everywhere. Give rewards for calm behaviour when passing people and when allowing people to pass him.
Does he get to free run anywhere? If not it may be worth while finding a safe place to let him run free. It may help him relieve his frustrations and stress. Apart from that all dogs need dog time off the lead to do their own thing.
One last thought, Shepherds can be encouraged to become obsessed by a toy and this may help in rewarding him, distracting him and focusing his full attention on you.
Good luck and please let us know how you are getting on.

[This message has been edited by carrie (edited November 03, 2000).]

[carrie]

P.S. Some dogs go through a maturing stage at the age you mentioned and for some this can be quite major. It is not a personality change, puppy behaviour may be left behind but basic personality will not change.

[dogncatluvr]

Carrie,
<The intervention should be quick, strong and of a nature that the dog will have trouble forgetting.>

You mean the 'intervention should be such that the dog will have NO trouble forgetting' don't you?

[carrie]

OOOPS! Yes, I only had about two and half minutes to write that before I had to go get the kids from school. I will edit at once!

[carrie]

Ah ha! While I was deep in shame and doing the edit I discovered that I had made several grammar and spelling mistakes! The quote you pointed out, however, was not one of them! I do want the dog to have trouble forgetting the intervention! In other words he will remember, will not forget even he tries, will have trouble forgetting. (As a pose to having trouble remembering.)

[dogncatluvr]

LOL, Carrie, that may be another Brit/North America thing. The way I put it, means the dog will remember the correction to me. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/wink.gif

[Ryan]

Mayissa,
Sounds like you are doing everything right on your own, but you need the help of a
excellent behavior trainer. (not just an obedient trainer)
For now, keep using the muzzle,
not only to protect others but to also
protect your dog.
You did not mention if he was neutered.
If he is not, I highly suggest you do it as soon as possible. Do not use this dog
for breeding.
I applaud you for what you have done
on your own.
Please keep us posted in the future.

[Mayissa]

Thanks Ryan for your encouragement. I feel that I have progressed alot with Zorro in one week. A trainer told me today Zorro has progressed and said I am concentrating more too. Basically I think she was saying I am in control, and very committed to changing my dog. Zorro JUST turned 6 months and I will desex him ASAP. I will not breed him either. For now I will persist with what I am doing and if he is still temperamental at 8 months I will seek a 1:1 trainer. I have already made enquiries. I am hoping desexing may calm him down. At puppy school today people freely patted him and he enjoyed it. In the street him may growl faintly but stops on my command now. But DARN, still needs more practice with his other canine friends.


Originally posted by Ryan:
Mayissa,
Sounds like you are doing everything right on your own, but you need the help of a
excellent behavior trainer. (not just an obedient trainer)
For now, keep using the muzzle,
not only to protect others but to also
protect your dog.
You did not mention if he was neutered.
If he is not, I highly suggest you do it as soon as possible. Do not use this dog
for breeding.
I applaud you for what you have done
on your own.
Please keep us posted in the future.

[OldTimer]

Trainer's POV: As some suggested -- overall basic training is essential. Problem solving, especially agression, is tough w/o a structure for the dog to connect to. Second, read "How to be your Dog's Best Friend" by the Monks. Pages 40 to 54. Forget the "rollover." The "under the chin" works best. Seems harsh, but you must be tough in this situation. Besides, once your dog understands you are the boss and have "relieved" it of the burden of feeling he has to protect you, he will be much more relaxed and happy. Don't worry -- when push really comes to shove he will protect you.

[strawberry_puff13]

Our German Shepherd Maggie is a 1yr. 5 month old female. She's as playful as can be, but would just about let anyone come up to her if they were friendly. Is there ANY way to get her to be more aggressive?

[karen israel]

YIKES! You gotta be kiddin!? I love my dog with all my heart and soul and even though he went to obedience school and I try to take him everywhere if you so much as look in our direction he's on a barking spree (no snarls)that can scare Godzilla. He is a wonderful home protector, I can do just about anything to him, but he has to be gated when plumbers or any strangers come over. I hate to admit I don't trust him. I have to anticipate our walks and keep my eyes open for diversions and totally take control of a 100 lb dog. Be every so grateful for your friendly dog. Believe me, as was mentioned before, you can bet you'd be protected if the situation occured. Count your blessings!!!

[Sudilar]

Strawberry_Puff

Be very happy that your GSD is not aggressive. Don't worry, if needs be, you will be well-protected!! It comes with the breed!
http://www.gsdca.org/Noframes/images/gifs/poisoninmotion.gif

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***Save a life, ADOPT***

[This message has been edited by Sudilar (edited November 20, 2000).]