Help with german shepherd?

Question

I just rescued a german shepherd from a shelter 2 months ago. He was malnourished (bones and skin), with ear infections and wouldn't play. Now he is like a bear, happy and healthy, playful, an truly incredible and smart dog except for one problem: he is aggressive toward all people except for one neighbor and trainer (and myself). He will bark aggressively at anyone coming close 7feet for some reason. If they're further away-fine.He doesn't get along with other animals either. I need real help, trainer helps a little but dog does the same thing except less, he skips it every once in a while. Except this, he learned every other commands in no time, he got housetrained in like a week, he is the sweetest cuddly dog inside that never barks when in the hose. Please help, anyone...?

we just celebrated his 2nd b-day

Also, he NEVER shows any aggressive behavior with me even if I take away his food, toy,nor when I clean his teeth or clip his nails, when I bathe him....hope this help in finding the answer.

Answer 1

he's territorial. he's protecting you. he wants no one to come close because they could mean trouble in his eyes. he's telling everyone and every dog that this is his territory and you can't come near it. it's a normal dog behavior that has most likely escalated because you rescued him and protected him and nursed him back to health.
if you want to change the behavior you have to desensitise him. you have to educate yourself on the whole process through reading things like "Problem Behaviors in Dog" by William Campbell, or other books out there. Cesar Milan has done this on his show before. But the key is that it's gradual, and you have to be very consistant for your dog to change.

German Shephards are very smart and learn quickly to normal things. But they are protective by nature, that's why people get them as guard dogs. But your dog needs to know when it's OK to "guard" you, versus staying calm. you really need to look into this because he could have the potential to take it further than just barking

Answer 2

You don't say how old your German Shepherd is. If he is young enough, you might be able to curb some of that defensive/aggressive behavior.

Unfortunately, it sounds like your beloved pet was not only never socialized properly as a young pup, but might acutally have been abused in some ways.

The other thing that might have happened is that he may have been trained to be aggressive, in which case, you probably won't have very much luck in reversing that kind of training.

You will need to continue training with the professional trainer, the trainer should be training YOU to train the dog. If you have any brave friends, you could try socializing him, but it does not sound very hopeful I am afraid.

This kind of reversal and training would need to be very intensive and consistent. It would need to be a daily thing.

You need to start by finding out just how much he accepts you as top dog. The next time you put his food down, wait until he takes a second or third bite, then pick up his food. If he growls, then you know you will have to start with building the trust between him and you first.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I have a dog exactly like yours. I was one day watching TV and found this show called ceaser. Anyway, he said for dogs like that make sure you are the leader. He also said put there collar up near there ears, so you can let the dog know you are in charge. She is just being protective over you. Try that and also go to a store and make her sit there. I had my dog almost bite them. i think it also based on who the last owner was. Because my dog hates getting grommed by people that are black. ( hope this hurts no ones feelings.)

Answer 4

you ought to in case you began coaching her youthful sufficient. (i'm sorry in the adventure that your dogs is a male named Gretchen or intersexed and that i'm mislabeling it as a female). in basic terms because of the fact she's German would not recommend that she'll p.c.. up German at as quickly as; language isn't genetic, whether, genetics DOES help. as an occasion, i'm an entire breed Filipino Human, yet because of the fact my mum and dad did not practice me in Tagalog (the main straight forward Filipino dialect) whilst i replace into youthful, I nonetheless had a not basic time in my Tagalog type in intense college and nonetheless do not understand the language! it is because of the fact i replace into raised in usa. whether, because of the fact i'm finished breed Filipino Human, I nonetheless did extra effective than most of the blended-bred human beings in my type. yet why practice her in German in basic terms because of the fact she's a German shepherd? that's some sort of racial-profiling there; according to danger you are able to ask her what she needs. Plus, if she weren't a minimum of bilingual, it might make it extra good for her to speak together with her English-knowledgeable friends. good good fortune in besides the fact which you %, however.

Answer 5

check out cesar 's site....what i would do is keep walking past ppl keep her on a short leash w/ a choke chain...(does not hurt dog if used right...sigh..always feel i have to say that..) with a little jerk up and toward u or back if pulling...i use a leave it command. don't stop don't prasie just keep walking turn and do it again and agian...maybe a friend can help you..if she barks at them to...don't think about what u are about to do that person mean no threat to you...don't look at person...it will take lots of time...use to walk a shepherd at the shelter like this....she didn't like men...i was the only one who could walk her by men with out any reaction.

Answer 6

We adopted a shelter dog when I was a kid and she had been abused. She was fine until someone she didnt know came near her. She was an aggresive dog though. I think some pets are just aggresive

Answer 7

I can only say persistence! I have a Sheppard as well she is only 4 m old yet she has a barking issue keep up with training the past may still haunt him

Answer 8

I would suggest watching The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic. He has many techniques, too many to put in here.

I don't have dogs myself, but my mother does and the smaller one is ALWAYS jumping up on me and my children and being a problem. After watching The Dog Whisperer, I took Ceasar's advice on a couple things and the dog is totally changed.... it really works!

http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/

Answer 9

He loves you. German shephards are amazing dogs. He barks because he sees anything else as a threat to you. He's protecting you the only way he knows how. It's like payment for you saving his life. That dog will loyally protect you till the day it dies, and that's a promise.

Answer 10

This is a socialization issue!! Go to an animal behaviorist with this dog. He can be socialized slowly at his age now, it will be hard work.