My service dog has become animal aggressive...Help...?

Question

Max(beautiful GSD) adopted me a year ago today, he was found on the road side and taken to the vet only to discover he had heartworm, he was treated and recovered well, when I got Max he seemed to know his basic commands, we soon realized he had a special ability to predict my Tia's (mini strokes) and proceeded to train him as a service dog, he has done great.The foster family that I got him from had many dogs inside and Max seemed to get along well with them(the last thing I wanted was an animal aggressive dog) we started taking him for walks in the park, etc and noticed he was starting to become uncomfortable with other dogs, at this point we took him off trail and a firm "leave it" worked for this problem, however today he was in his yard on his run and a neighbors dog came into the yard and Max went for him.These dogs have seen each other every day for a year, neighbor lets his dog run loose and his dog comes into our yard all the time, my dog had established that it is his yard and keeps other dogs at bay. Max for the first time did not stop on a dime and come when called, my son brought him up on the porch and went to bring him inside and Max didn't want to come in, son had to grab his collar and pull him in, this behavior from Max is out of context. How can I re train him as far as animal aggression. Should I start back with the basics in his training (we work on commands as part of our daily routine) This has come out of nowhere and I can not(will not)use him as a service dog with the behavior he showed today.I love my dog and will do whatever is needed to stop his aggression.

he has been nutered, and was trained by a local trainer, I was not outside with him as he was on his run. He never stays out on the run for very long just to potty and come back in. We are planing to move and things in the house have been in an uproar, packing boxes everywhere but I have been extra careful to show him the same love and spend time with him, only at potty time is he away from my side.

Answer 1

I would honestly say this is a tough situation. I would think to try and remember if there was something that set Max off. Another question I have for you is what kind of training technique do you use? Treats? Positive voice reinforcement? Collar corrections? What I could offer is depending on how bad Max's reactions are with other dogs, keep away from strange dogs he doesn't know for the moment, and begin to re-introduce him to dogs he does know, using collar corrections for negative responses, and using voice praise for the response you want to see - a slow acceptance of another dog, and keeping calm, and obedient. Keep distance between the dogs, but slowly move closer giving praise for the good responses. The important thing is to take notice of your dog's stress level and not to stress him out. GSD can be extremely sensitive. You want to end on a positive note, even if it means the exercise lasts 2 minutes. You can do the exercise several times a day, but for short intervals of time. After Max becomes comfortable again with dogs he knows, begin the same process with dogs he doesn't know. I've never thought about perscription happy pills for my animals, but it could be something you could consider, after further research into how it could help and knowing side effects, etc. Just a suggestion. I hope Max works it out very soon! Good luck!

Answer 2

You may want to consider speaking with a behaviorist about Max's animal aggression issues and see if they can be worked around. Unfortunately, when dealing with a service animal, they need to be completely unreactive to other dogs and animals - this is especially true when dealing with breeds like the GSD, American Pit Bull Terrier, etc.

If the issue cannot be curbed through training, then you may have to retire the dog to being a simple companion animal.

I would suggest contacting the Delta Society (www.deltasociety.org) for information and help locating a good trainer.

Answer 3

i worked for a while at a dog boarding kennel that offered training from a couple amazing trainers, as well as doggie daycare. i learned a lot about animal behavior. it sounds like max has decided now that he's comfortable in your family and is assuming his role in it as guardian/protector. unfortunatly letting the neighbor's dog in you yard while your dog is tied up and feels he can not get away/ protect you is going to make his behavior worse. you wouldn't like it if while you were in the shower your neighbor just walked in on you, and that is the same type of vulnerability he's feeling when tied up. during walks it's the same idea, he's on a leash, he's vulnerable. it sounds to me like he is a very good dog, he'd just acting on instinct. he's a herding dog, they naturally defend their "family". talk to your neighbor, and see if he'll take a little more responsibility for his own dog, as you are with yours. it is not fair to give up on max yet. also, if max did not hurt this other dog, what might have looked to you like a fight, may have just been a dominance struggle. and that's normal too. i would try obedience classes with him. any good trainer will work with him on the specific issues he's having with socialization. please don't think this behavior would be transfered someday to a person, it's just not the same thing.

Answer 4

regrettably, the state can get rid of a dogs if somebody makes purely one criticism. If that's a pit bull (that's infamous for assaults) they'll in all likelihood check out. If there is yet another criticism (even a pretend criticism), they could come and take it. Sorry, yet that's how that's in some states with some dogs.

Answer 5

There was an episode of the Dog Whisperer with a lady that had the exact same problem with her service dog (also a GSD). Maybe you can find it on DVD.

Answer 6

Was he bearing his teeth or just acting like he did not want the dog in his yard? was he worried the the other dog might hurt you. Sound like you need to find a person the trains service dog in your area. Has the dog been neutered? Please let me know how it turns out.

Answer 7

http://www.leerburg.com/k9training.htm