How can I control an overprotective dog?

Question

My 2 yr old male German shepherd is so territorial and protective of my family, he terrifies anyone who comes over. Delivery men, cable repairmen, mail carriers, friends, etc. all have been sent running from the door because he acts like he'll tear them to pieces.
He is perfectly fine with my family, my daughters can both roll him around and stick their hands in his mouth, and I don't have the slightest hesitation about it. He acts like they are his own children. But someone comes near them, and the hair on his back goes up and the vicious barking starts. I love the way he protects us, but I'm tired of having to put him in the garage anytime someone comes over. How do I begin?

Answer 1

Ok, sound slike you are dealing with some mahor dominace issues that you only see as being effected towards the strangers, where in fact, it would soon become directed towards you and your family. Dogs, though many times sought after for protection, are not ment to be the protector. You have to look at it from his world. In the canine kingdom, the alpha is the protector of the territory, the den and the pack. The children, the dog should not see them as his children, because see them as his children means that he is dominate over them, and he shouldn't be. (Personnally, I don;t have any children, but my German Shepherds would be dominate over my kids, they are better behaved) So here is a few things you can do.

One first and foremost, take a step back and look at what you are doing, how you are treating your dog. Do you free feed, him, meaning that you fill his bowl of food and then allow him to eat as he wants. IF you do, stop, as in right now, go pick up his food bowl. Feed your dog twice a day, once in the morning, and once in the evening. 3 cups each time, and give him 15 minutes to eat. Also when you are preparing his food, make him sit and watch you prepare it. Couple tricks here, one place a cookie or a cracker behind the bowl. After you finish preparing the food, take the snack, up and over from behind the bowl, this will make it look like you are taking food out of the bowl, and eat it in front of your dog. You can also pour fritos or something over the top of the food and eat a couple straight from the bowl, or even clean the bowl real well, and then eat something yourself out of the bowl, but allow him to lick it clean. Science behind this. The alpha eats first. Only once the alpha is done eating is the lower members of the pack allowed to eat. Does your dog watch you when you eat your dinner? Make him. Have him sit/lay there and watch you. When you are doen, allow him to lick your plate clean. This will begin the process.

From there, you can move on to other things. Do not allow him on your bed or any other furniture. If he jumps on you or your children, turn your back and ignore it. Now more allowing the kids to put hands in mouth until this ios over.

I have read several books, "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell, "the Orginal Dog Whisperer", not "Ceasars Way", "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia B. McConnell, "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson, Ian Dunbar and I am currently reading "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete. All the books were good, however, I don't really like "Culture Clash" as it says that it is a myth "There is no so thing as a bad dog, just bad owners." They beleive that alot of dogs are just bad. I have been Rescuing German Shepherds for 3 years and handling dogs with many issues from aggression to anti social behavior. Also, contact a trainer as soon as possible.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

There are a couple techniques, you have to be careful though. German shepherds are very strong so it may take some struggling. Ask a friend to help you train him, someone your dog isn't already comfortable with. Put the dog on a leash, and keep him close by your side when you open your door. Your friend should walk in and completely ignore the dog, no eye contact or petting. You, as well, need to be calm and firm. Dogs pick up on the energy of their "leader" (you) so if you're assertive and self-controlled, rather than fearful or angry, he'll start to understand his place. So, friend walks in, you greet him/her, and keep the dog sitting right by your side, and discipline him if he begins to act up. The goal is to get him sitting or lying down on his own, without being told. That is a sign of submission, which is the goal. You can discipline dogs the same way that a mother dog does, which is to use your hand to simulate a quick, gently bite on the side of the neck, and say, "No," firmly.

These ideas aren't mine, but they do work. Cesar Milan is a dog trainer in California (I believe). He has a show, and some books out. He rehabilitates dogs so he has alot of information on fixing behavioral problems. See if your library has anything by him, because he's very helpful in explaining why dogs act the way they do.

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

It sounds as though the dog has run of the house and that this dog was not properly socialized. Any owner who allows a dog to make decisions on its own will have problems with a dog that becomes overly protective or territorial. The way to correct is by teaching the dog its place in the household. Basic obedience commands should be taught to the dog. You and the dog could benefit from enrolling in some obedience classes, it will teach you how to properly adminster corrections and establish you as the leader, it will also help get your dog some very needed socialization.
You need to practice the nothing in life is free program with your dog, if the dog wants petting, attention, playing, food or water the owner should make the dog perform an exercise such as sit or down before it receives any kind of reward, in this case being whatever it is the dog wants. By doing this the owner will start to assert him or herself as pack leader.The owner of a shepherd must be able to work with an intelligent dog and teach it with a firm, yet fair hand. The dog must not be allowed to get away with this behavior and corrections must be applied. The use of training tools such as a prong collar or an e-collar can be very helpful.
Check out this website it has lots of info and you may find it helpful.
http://www.leerburg.com/dogtrainingebooks.htm

Answer 5

A dog is territorial because he feels it's his job. Take his job away from him and be the leader. You decide who is allowed on the property, not the dog. If you need help, get a qualified dog behaviorist.
An obedience trainer will NOT work. this is not about obedience, this is about leadership and your relationship with your dog. Obedience training will not change this although any training you do will help.
Also, if the dog is not neutered, get him neutered ASAP as this will help reduce territorial aggression.
Keep in mind that you're saying 'he does this'. The dog does what he's permitted to do. You are the human and you are responsible for his behavior so look at what you're allowing rather than what the dog is doing.

Answer 6

This is defiantly a problem. Your dog should be able to tell the difference between a person who poses a threat to you and your family and someone who doesn't. I would start by researching this online. Try going to Cesar Milan's website. He is a miracle worker. This is a behavior issue... not a training issue. Your dog may just need more exercise. Remember as Cesar says. Exercise, discipline, love.

http://dogpsychologycenter.com/index.php

Answer 7

Make sure he has a lot of exercises. Shepards were bread to run around all day. If you are like most dog owners you are not giving him the opportunity to meet his needs. Try roller blading with him. I use to do it with my rottweiler.
Take the dog to an obedience class. You have to establish that you are the boss. Then you can tell him to lie down when someone is at the door.

Answer 8

When dogs chase go after someone that person SHOULD NOT RUN. A dog is bound to think this is a game. If possible tell your UPS guy/girl. Visitors, or anyone else that may approach your dog, not to run. You should give him a zap collar. Start him out on leash. When you have visitors, keep the zap collar on and make sure you have the button to set the zap off. Give your dog a warning before you zap it. Give him a tug on the leash and tell him 'No!' firmly. If your dog doesn't listen give him a zap and say 'No!' again. I would also try taking your dog to a social place, the beach, on a walk, or anyplace Else, but only if your sure that he is going to listen. Be be sure to bring the zap collar. If he is bad make sure to warn him first before you zap him.

Answer 9

A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/dogtrainingcourse

If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.

It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.

Answer 10

You may need to invest in professional dog training. Otherwise carry a lot of Homeowers Insurance in the event your dog ever bites and injures an outside vendor.