How do you calm down a very dominant German Shepherd?

Question

he's only 13 weeks old, but my puppy seems very dominant already. he's been fairly easy to train so far...he can sit, lay down, come and is potty training very well. i think the problem is that he may not recognize me as "the boss" yet. i've tried several methods to make him stop biting/nipping (which really hurts when he's excited) with minimal success. a few people suggested pinning him down until he "gives up" and stops fighting, but the last few times i've tried he still growls and tries to bite while he's pinned. as soon as he's up he goes after someone trying to bite again. he bites, growls and barks when he doesn't get what he wants, for instance when i stop playing with him or push him off the coffee table. he also barks when i tell him to lay down lately. he starts puppy class in february...any ideas until then? i'm also going to make an appt. to get him fixed soon because he started mounting my couch and pillows yesturday. will that help much? thanks

Answer 1

Until he's fixed and starts puppy classes try this.When you get home walk him or run the bajesus out of him.That's worked for me everytime puppy parks are great too only after he's worn out.A puppy can't help but play so after a good wear out puppy parks.

Answer 2

Pinning him down will only break his spirit and you don't want that. You have allowed this behavior so he does not know you disapprove. Think about what his mama would have done if he got too rough with her. Mama would growl and bite him back on his muzzle, shake him by his scruff and pin him down by towering over him. The pups head goes immediately to the ground knowing he did something wrong. He may not know right then why but through repetition he learns. Watch the tone of your voice, sweet cuddly when good and deep gruff growl to deep "NO" when bad.

Now, you as a Mama or Papa need to instill your dominance.
Make him look at you eye to eye as much as possible.
Always stand taller than he is.
Decide what behavior you want to stop and go about it in a dominate way.

To stop the biting, you need to let out a high pitched cry when he hurts you, that will stop him then and there and sit back with his ears raised. "What happened?" he did not get it cause he is still questioning. Talk to him, telling him what he did and how much it hurt and........................... The next time he hurts you cry out again and do the same little talk and bite him on his muzzle. Another little trick is to use the tips of your fingers and hit him pretty hard on the top of his nose. This is more painful for you than it will be for him cause he is very tough.

Keep in mind that his temperament is very strong and that he is a big dog. So the corrections need to be tougher than the dog is. I have had to use my fist on some strong dogs noses just to get their attention. But don't forget to bite him back, and bite harder the next time.

Of course he is going to cry out but that is just the pup in him. He is testing his dominance which has been allowed.

When he bites, cry out, hit him on the nose, bite him on the nose and talk. Depending on how quick he leanrs you'll see results by treating him like dog would do another dog.

Look up wolf behavior and you'll be amazed at the likeness of our dogs today. Pack instinct, pecking order, structured family etc. it is all there.

Answer 3

Have a private lesson with a professional dog trainer. Early behavior problems can be detected and you can be given appropriate methods of breaking bad habits. Its also important to recognize certain traits that might be untrainable or undesireable for a family pet. True dominant aggression if the WORST behavior diagnosis a trainer can make. These are almost untrainable and could lead to someone getting very hurt.

Answer 4

have tried to get him to "good look", just to stare at you till he looks away, and then tell him "good look".
And pin him no matter what he does, and when he gives up, praise him. Dont be afraid of a nip or anything when he does this, just continue to tell him NO, or whatever you have been using to correct this
Keep it up until his obedience class.
My dog is part shepherd and the same age, he hasnt shown any of these signs, no humping or anything. Gently reprimand him when he "humps" things also, this is also a sign of attempting to dominate.
Good luck, and hold your ground:)

Answer 5

Whoever told you to put the animal into submission (pinning him down) knew exactly what they were talking about. But it's best if you put him on his back while pinning him.

Your problem is you give up too easily. When you pin him down, I don't care if he pees himself - you need to stick with it. Avoid his teeth as best you can - muzzle him temporarily if you have to. Otherwise, he'll learn that you aren't serious.

He needs to realize that nothing happens unless YOU say so. Nothing.

Watch that tail. It should never be pointing straight up during your interactions. If you see that, roll him on his back until he gives up.

Answer 6

Take him to an obedience class or you're going to have one heck of a handful when he becomes and adult.

13 weeks is too young to neuter DB!

Answer 7

send him for a vacation in the bahamas

Answer 8

NEUTER HIM!!!