Dog Trainers HELP?

Question

I have a 3 year old german shepherd cross. I also have 2 yorkies. The problem is my german shepherd cross, he always tries to attack other dogs (except my other 2) and he tries to attack people whilst out for walks. \in the park he is the same and also always tries to attack people who are jogging. He also doesnt listen if you call him. Whats the best way for me to try and train him as i cant really afford a trainer as they have quoted a lot of money due to his problems. Serious answers please

Added details. Socialising classes say they wont allow him there cos he will disrupt the class and maybe even attack another dog, which they will do all in their power to prevent. Have tried pulling him back on the lead (he wears a choker) but it doesnt help... he pulls to the extent where he can just about breathe, but it doesnt stop him. We can go for an hour long walk, and he will pull the whole time. Ive tried yanking him really hard, stopping, shouting, nicely and calmly sayin no, Iv tried putting a mussel type thing on him where the lead attatches to but he wont walk with it and literally rolls round on the floor trying to get it off. I have left it on him for a period of time but he still does the same, He just continues to try and get it off and he becomes even more difficult to walk.

more details: When off the lead hes not to bad with other dogs, but when on the lead he is real bad, he goes like a mad man. He was 4 weeks old when i got him, I rescued him as he was going to be drowned, he was kept in awful conditions so i think maybe this has alot to do with it. He generally is a lovely dog and once he knows you all he will do is try to kiss you. As stated i cant afford a trainer or obediance classes, when i explain his problems to them they quote me hundreads of pounds

Answer 1

GS are naturally protective animals & hunters...the only way to deal with this is by rewards and FIRM handling, I can't really tell you everything you need to know in this answer, it has to be an ongoing thing...if you would like me to help I would gladly do so...but we will have to communicate via email or IM for a few weeks..email me through this site and I will respond

Answer 2

A dog trainer is any one that teaches dogs how to respond to instructions from a handler but to be a good coach they need to be equipped to comprehend how a puppies mind works, so need to be somewhat of a psychologist as good. Most so called behaviourists/ psychologists don`t truely instruct dogs to do set workout routines like an obedience trainer but attempt to form out a dog that has behaviour issues. Any individual with tons of expertise with dogs is all of the above. And yes, dogs may also be particularly intricate animals. Especially ones which have been really abused or screwed up through ignorant ways of handling them. Yes, any one can call themselves a dog trainer and many men and women that don't have any experience aside from taking a 2 week training direction do. They then exit and charge £30-50 an hour for his or her offerings an destroy numerous dogs. Jmo.

Answer 3

Serious aggressiveness issues are difficult to train out of a dog if you are not an experienced trainer yourself.
I will edit later and post some links to training advice sites to help.

As far as the not coming back when called...
You'll need another person to help you and a fenced in area, too.
The trick I used was lots and lots of treats, good treats like fresh cooked meat, chicken, liver etc. I didn't use my dog's name but a command like, "come"... I would have the other person walk my dog away from me on a leash, I would call out "Come" and have the other person walk the dog right to me, each time, the dog got a little bit of treat and praise. After about 2 days the other person would walk the dog away from me, hold it, and I'd call out the command, and they would let the dog go, if the dog came to me, it would get more treat than before, and more lavish praise.
Each time the dog came to the command he would get lots of treat and praise, if he didn't, he got nothing, the other person would just walk to the dog, grab the leash and take him about 20 feet away from me and we'd work on the command.
This is going to be hard if your dog is people aggressive.
Does your dog have an alpha personality or is your dog fearful?
Has this dog ever bitten anyone?
I hope someone can give better advice on the aggression problems, but I will look into for you and post some edits if I find anything good.
Thanks

Answer 4

This dog is not looking for your praise or your permission when going after other people and animals. The dog needs to know you mean business. They look cruel like a medieval torture device but used properly a pinch collar is one of the best tools you can use. They cannot choke a dog, they don't work that way. When the dog pulls the collar's prongs poke inward in a way the dog cannot ignore instead of choking him like a choke chain would. When the dog stops pulling the prongs lie flat against his neck comfortably. Your dog sounds strong but with a pinch collar even a person without a lot of physical strength will be able to hold him back. Never leave a pinch collar on the dog unless you have a leash on him and you are holding the other end. You aren't trying to punish him, just to make it impossible to ignore you so don't ever jerk it or pull it unneccessarily. Very soon your dog will be paying attention to you instead of other dogs and joggers. Eventually you should be able to stop using the pinch collar completely. If he is as agressive as you say you might not be able to find an obedience class that will take him but with a couple of friends and their dogs you might be able to set up staged scenarios in a closed parking lot or other fairly quiet place to put him in a controlled setting for training. Some of my dogs got their best training in the middle of the street after 2:00 a.m. when distractions are at a minimum.

Answer 5

A number of other people have suggested things I do not think are good. However all the points about top dog etc and you asserting you role as leader of the pack are correct.

Given your dogs background and that he is more agressive when on the lead I think the issue may well be fear. It may be your dog feels threatened when on the lead and is scared he can not adequately defend himself ( or run away) and so uses the age old principle of attack is this best part of defence. If my suggestion is right a muzzle will create major distress for your pet, as the muzzle will make him feel less secure and even more frightened. A choker chain ( horrible things) would be even worse, imagine your stress and distress if you are fearfull of attack and then your air supply is limited. A professional in this case well be a must. As you say you can't afford it then perhaps try gentle positive reinforcement. Read some of the other answers they have good suggestions in this direction. They key is to reward him when he behaves appropriately your force and approval will be your best weapon. It is likely he feels he is the top dog but is insecure.

Answer 6

I know you said that you can't afford a professional trainer, but please consider this: can you afford lawsuits, hospital bills, and the other expenses that can occur when a dog attacks someone?

This dog is seriously out of control and needs some professional training before something terrible happens. Forget the obedience classes -- those aren't going to work, even if you can find someone who'll accept your pet.

Locate a good trainer, preferably with Schutzhund experience. S/he may be able to help you channel your dog's aggression into acceptable behavior. (NOT turn him into a protection dog because he's not Schutzhund material at this point.)

If you genuinely can't afford a trainer and none of the suggestions people have given you here are working, then I'm sorry to say that I would recommend having the dog put down. He is a tragedy looking for a location. . .and it's just a matter of time until he finds one.

Answer 7

Things NOT to do - yell, hit him. Those only make him anxious.

When you say "attack," do you mean "bite?" If he's biting, you have a very serious problem that really needs a qualified trainer - try calling your local pet shelter. Some animal shelters offer low-cost or free training help (better than having the dog end up in the shelter).

If he's basically just annoying them, he could be trying to herd everyone - after all, he's a shepherd - or trying to play. This is easier to deal with. A GS is a working dog and needs a job. Fortunately, they're not picky about the job - you can train him to carry stuff, or do tricks, or just about anything (I had a Belgian Shepherd Dog - very similar personality - we kept training her to do tricks to keep her happy, plus she did odd jobs around the house, like let me know if the stove timer went off).

It isn't expensive - check your local library for a book on dog training. Just be sure it uses positive reinforcement (treats and praise), not choke chains or anything negative. Negative training just gives you a scared, upset dog.

The more you learn to do together, from basics like "sit" and "stay" to tricks, the more you establish yourself as the pack leader, and you and your GS learn to communicate.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I know this is not what you want to hear but her it is.
You need to work one on one with a behavioral trainer.
This dog should NOT be taken into a class as you can not control him and he is dangerous to humans and other dogs.
He has your number and knows you can not control him.
Part of your trouble is collar placement. Put the collar up at the very top of his neck just under his ears and keep it there. When he goes to pull check him with the collar so it tightens but then releases.
I solve these problems all the time. The dog knows you and what he can get away with. One walk with a trainer and it may fix your problem. Once they learn they can not get away with the pulling with a trainer and the owner is shown in person first hand how to control the dog it usually helps. I go to my clients home and watch them and the dog and then I take them and the dog out for a walk and teach them how to use and properly fit a choke collar.
Many times one trip is all I make.
You should see if you can get one consult with a trainer and see how it works for you.

Answer 9

A puppy teacher is anybody that teaches puppies tips on how to reply to instructions from a handler however to be a well teacher they ought to be capable to have an understanding of how a puppies brain works, so ought to be just a little of a psychologist as good. Most so referred to as behaviourists/ psychologists don`t honestly instruct puppies to do set sporting activities like an obedience teacher however attempt to type out a puppy that has behaviour disorders. Someone with plenty of enjoy with puppies is all the above. And sure, puppies may also be rather tricky animals. Especially ones which were quite abused or screwed up by means of ignorant ways of dealing with them. Yes, any one can name themselves a puppy teacher and lots of folks that don't have any enjoy aside from taking a two week coaching path do. They then cross out and cost £30-50 an hour for his or her offerings an spoil numerous puppies. Jmo.

Answer 10

when he is on the lead and tries to go for a dog/human - have a small empty pop bottle half filled with stones and shake it sharply as he makes a move -- the noise should distract him from what he is about to do. Eventually he should get out of the habit of attacking.
you could also trykeeping his attention by talking to him when people/ other dogs are approaching. keep his lead slack as a tight lead denotes that there is something you are afraid of and he may be trying to protect you.

Answer 11

i am a trainer but I'm young...I'm only 15 and you have to believe me....i am top 4 in the world with a high score of obedience....i train greatdanes...but i will try to help you....i think the reason why your German shepherd is trying to attack is maybe because hes being protective to you and your other dogs...the thing is when you don't start training them when they are puppys then its going to be harder training them when there older...here is a couple ways you can get him to listen to you....first you need!:a collar and leash....those are VERY important to have....teach your dog to sit,praise when he does it right!!!...when you get that far tell him to stay....if he doesnt stay keep repeating it untill he stays and then when he does stay praise him!! you dog needs to be praised all the time that way they know that they are doing right...when you get him to stay walk as far as the leash lets you and then call your dog....when he comes make him sit in front of you and then BIG praise....then when you get that far you have made a big progress....just remember dont punish your dog for doing the wrong thing...help the dog do what you are asked...have a firm voice and never give up...good luck and god bless..