I usually don’t go to the internet for help but, my friend suggested I give this a try.
I rescued a German Shepherd about 8 months ago, he’s 2 years old. When I went to look at him they told me he was a sweet heart, good with other dogs, and it seemed it.
He was abused before I adopted him. He started showing slight signs of aggressive towards my Bull mastiff and I let them know it wasn’t on and upped my leadership role a lot. Everything seemed alright, until my boyfriend started coming over more, and he started growling at my boyfriend , and then other people coming over.
I’ve started to muzzle him on walks, and when guests are over, but I don’t know what to do.
I live about 5 hours away from a city, and the one trainer I found prices were out of my budget. Is it anything I can do? Is it hopeless?
I’ve used her methods, and they didn’t work at all. He’s not trying to protect me either, it’s fear based aggression.
talk to your vet.
My guess is he has some fear aggression which is normal for a dog who has been threw what he has.
I recommend getting in touch with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. Your vet can help you find one that isn’t so pricey.
Add- i also recommend taking a look at this site.
Well, your dog is just trying to protect you. SO what I would do is de sensitize him. How you ask well good question there is no quick fix but I get a lot of training tips from the show. It’s me or the dog on animal planet. I am serious. It is all about training and I have seen this problem before on the show. I have 4 dogs and I know this can be fixed.When your boyfriend comes over you need to remove the dog from the room, then bring the dog in and everyone remains calm ignoring the dog, then when the dog is being good have your boyfriend give a small treat doing this many many times over time then work your way further w, walking being you giving treats when passing strangers or when walking and he see a stranger starts growl calmly turn and walk the other way every time! It works but it takes time. Also eventually remove the muzzle. You are in charge not your dog. Good Luck Susan
I suspect that you need to say Goodbye to your current boyfriend – dogs can be amazingly perceptive as to the inner nature of people.
However, the dog could be treating EVERYONE with misguided suspicion.
Yahoo Answers simply does NOT Allow for the sort of question–answer needed to delve into this. So I suggest that you join my e-group – although training isn’t its main reason for existence, we have some top trainers in the group – agility, aide dogs, drugs explosive detection, an international SchutzHund competitor security firm trainer, leaders of search rescue groups – so between them tnhey should be able to work out whether your methods are wrong for this dog, or the dog is developing a brain tumour, or what. Whereas I stopped being a training instructor back in 1971.
But if it IS fear-based aggression then the first thing you must do is convince him that you can be trusted to protect him from everything. Without that confidence, nothing else is going to work.
But definitely join SOME of the 400+ YahooGroups dedicated to various aspects of living with GSDs, so that the people you ask questions of actually KNOW about the breed. Each group’s Home page tells you which aspects they like to discuss, and how active they are. Most allow you to include photos so that you can show how your pet is progressing or reacting.
Les P, owner of GSD_Friendly:
In GSDs as of 1967
I agree that it’s fear based aggression. Obviously he was more than likely abused by a man. There are a few things you can try.
First I’d suggest more exercise. Allowing him to run daily to exhaust his daily supply of energy will help him mellow at at home. He won’t be as agitated when he is tired. He may also benefit from the walks and running if you’re boyfriend is able to participate. Exercise and play helps form bonds. It might be rough at first, but these things take time an patience.
Second, when he becomes aggressive, immediately put him into a ********** state. Ie. on his back. Keep him there until he relaxes and is no longer aggressive. This can be your way of tell him you are in control and this behavior is not acceptable and that if there is anything to worry about you will handle it.
Some things to avoid, hitting and lots of yelling or over excitement. It’s important to be calm and assertive when taking control. He won’t respond well to any nervous energy.