6 month old german shepherd growls and barks?

Question

I just ask a question about you 6 month german shepherd regarding his barking and growling at strangers in my house.The dog see's me as the alfa male I know this.When someone comes to the door and knocks or rings the bell he just looks but never barks.He lets me get the door and never blocks me.When the person is inside the house the dog smells then,ducks,barks,growls at the person. sometimes he is ok with people and sometimes not. I take him to pet stores to socialize him alot.Atleast 3 times a week.He sometimes barks at people there,not alot but he does.Other people he runs over to like he knows them. How do I fix this?

Answer 1

You may very well be the alfa male, most of the time. But not when it comes to meeting and greeting new people, or people that he has a past with. This dog lacks confidence, lacks stability. The only reason a dog would act in such a manner, and continue to do so, is because its owner lacks the proper training method to correct the issue the Moment it happens, not the moment it escalates, but the moment he begins to show signs of uneasiness. You need to know your dog and be in tune with it. You need to be able to tell what he's feeling about someone who is all the way across the room, because he's showing signs. Be it if his ears are up, if he's breathing heavily, if he's salivating uncontrolably, if he's staring blankly, or giving out any sort of behavior that is different from when he is at home with just you and your wife. If he approaches someone with his head down and/or his tail between his legs, give him a quick and firm tug on the leash to let him know that's unacceptable. Don't try to hold him or sooth him by telling him "its okay, its okay" - Because it's not. You're only encouraging the behavior if you do this. You need to be calm and assertive. If he tries to run the other way, bring him back. Make him sit and face his fears in a calm and submissive manner. This dog needs to be shown that this sort of behavior is neither acceptable nor tollerable, and that he won't be getting away with it anymore. You need to be able to calm your dog down, even with just a touch. It will redirect his attention to you and tell him that you have things under control, that way he doesn't have to worry about trying to protect you or himself in a world where he knows he's not capeable of being a leader. On the other hand, don't let him run to anyone either. The only way you should be allowing him to approach anyone should be in a calm state of mind. Any sort of excitment should be corrected in the same manner as before. Repetition is key. And practicing the same methods on a routine basis will help him become stable and gain the confidence he needs. And remember, just because you're the leader one day, or in one instance, doesn't mean the next day will be the same. To be the dominant one in the relationship is to express it not only on a daily basis, but on a minute by minute basis, and not let him get away with Any behaviors that are unacceptable to you. You must show leadership in everything that you do and always remain in a calm and assertive state of mind. The second you start to get worked up, thinking, "He might growl at this guy.." is the very second he'll start to become uneasy. Whether you show this fear or not, he can sense it. (I'm not saying you do, just throwing out some different instances, where I don't know how you are around the dog at all times.) It's not something you should expect to fix by doing once. It takes time to relearn his behavior. Time and repetition of proper technique. As long as you stick to the same corrective method, he'll rehabilitate himself. He just hasn't been taught how yet.

Answer 2

Remember that animals are not dumb. I have a dog named Smokey who gets along with a lot of people but now and then she will growl and bark at random people. Out of all my friends the only person she growls and barks at is my friend Kenny. Dogs can sense something is people that you cannot. As I work as a Vet Tech I have learned that dogs will do this even if they have been trained. I would check with a Dog Trainer to see why the dog is doing this. But if your dog is like My dog Smokey who is protective of the family then it would make since. Dogs like German Shepherds, Boxers, Doberman, and Pitbulls are animals that want to protect their owners. They are breed to do so. And can be trained to get this under control. But keep in mind that it can be the person themselves.

Answer 3

Well this is something which is very rare with dogs. i have a gr8 experience. according to me this only happens when there is something wrong with the dog. See he must be suffering internally but we cant justify whats wrong. try to understand his problems. Its not like he's old and they are mad or some sorts of things. actually there is a very good relation between the dog and the master. because of this the master understands the dog and the dog understands the master because there is a special relation that you also cant explain. if that is not there. you will never be able to find a solution. and because of this both all of you have to suffer even the dog. i suggestion dogs have a gr8 sense of humour. make the dog feel like he's in his house. don't make him feel like hell. they know that they are dogs not humans. make that dog feel free and feel it like heaven then you see you will find a lot of changes and will satisfy you and your family and even the dog. See he's just 6 months. there few dogs who dont grow up fast they need time. well if i tell you the truth there are many in this world who need time to grow. 6 months just 6 months. what do you expect from this 6 months child. he's kid. i want to tell you an example. its just an example dont take it seriously. imagine now you are a 6 months kid. and your mom wants you to do all the work that a child does. eat food by himself. drink milk by yourself. sleep alone in the night. does anyone do that in this world. you cannot have all the things at a time. everything in this world need time.just make that dog feel like heaven. try it out.

Answer 4

This happened to my dog when he was a pup too. All he is doing is protecting your statis as the alfa male of his world. He just needs to know that the stranger means no harm. Next time this happens, tell him to stop and let him sniff the person. In a while, he will see that your place as the alfa dog will never be overthrown.

Answer 5

You might know your dog thinks of you as the alpha male but it sounds like your dog does not know it. a submissive dog would not do something to displease the pack leader you need to get control of this dog now before he gets too dangerous all dogs can bite big dogs do a lot of damage when they do I do not know you skill level with dogs so it is hard to advise you but since your dog is young one of the best ways to show dominance to a dog is to pin it down on it's side or back until it gives up if he considers you the leader he will readily surrender when pined down

Answer 6

Do not get a shock collar for this puppy!! This sounds like a very, very confused dog. You need to take him to really good obedience classes with a qualified trainer (no Petsmart classes) where someone can teach you how to train your dog. Help this puppy now before he becomes unmanageable.

Answer 7

Something's not right....he sounds like he could lose it one day....fear aggression, etc. I would definitely see a good trainer/behaviorist, I've seen dogs do this and by the time they are 2, they are just plain crazy. This dog is not exhibiting a good, solid temperment that GSDs are supposed to have. I would get help with him soon.

Answer 8

There is a mouth leash from keeping him from barking. German Shepards always bark. You should get it trained.

Answer 9

make sure u get him checked first i mean that he is physically ok
take him to a vet n still if the prtoblem persists then u can always try block him wen he jumps on strangers wat i mean is make him see that there can be consequences to his action .n if he crosses the limit he'll have to deal with u jus intimidate him dont get physical hope it helps.i know it sounds tough bu if implemented properly it can work.

Answer 10

Try a shock collar.....sounds mean, but I use one for my shepard because he was disturbing our neighbors. It works and is a humane way to train them.