How to de-sissyfy my dog?

Question

I have a great sheperd mix. very smart. Very good natured. very submissive to me. He has had obedience training. Only problem is , he has fear issues, i guess. When we first got him he did a lot of submissive urination. That has gradually decreased but he is still a p***y. We live in a not too great neighborhood. We've finally got him to bark at people coming through our alley. The other day though, I came thru our alley and approached our yard with a hood on and walking funny. He didn't recognize me and began barking and howling. I came into the gate and he ran up onto the deck, still barking and pretty much stayed away from me. I don't want our dog to attack people or bite but I would like him to be more intimidating. If someone enters our yard, i want him snarling and lunging(not necessarily biting). Any tips?

Answer 1

Are you serious??? If you are so worried about your dog protecting you why don't you just move to a better neighborhood.

If your goal is to have your dog "snarl and lunge" at people who come to your house, you will have a serious lawsuit on your hands.

Grow up!

Answer 2

Be careful of encouraging your dog to bark or be aggressive. He could eventually misinterpret this and hurt someone. Perhaps you could teach him "watch it" as a way for him to keep his eye on a potentially dangerous situation. This doesn't encourage aggression but does teach him that you encourage his innate sense and ability to tell if his property is being threatened.

I think Bassetnut's advice is best: He needs socialization. With exposure to new and different stuff, it will build his confidence. He'll also be able to read people better and know if someone is a threat or not.

In socializing him, praise him when he's interested in new things or people. Even if it's just a perking up of the ears to be interested in something, this is a good first step and should be encouraged. If he acts fearful, ignore him. Don't coo to him or he might think of it as encouraging his fear. Don't push him towards his fear, however silly it may be, or he'll likely get even more scared.

Answer 3

You can't have everything. He barked to notify that a stranger was near and he went up on the deck to prepare to protect the house. If he had approached the stranger it would have been to bit them. He doesn't have the ability to say "hey, there guy, this is my yard and you seriously need to go away."

I think he handled the problem nicely. I think if he felt you were in danger he would have put some teeth into it.

Answer 4

My dog knows me on the other side of a closed door.Is he 2 years old yet?He may just be a puppy still.You really don't want a biting dog,the barking should get peoples attention.Give him a chance to show you that he can protect the house.It comes natural to them as they get older.Just love him you will see....

Answer 5

I don't know how you'd separate the lunging/biting behavior. Get an alarm system if you're worried about intruders, it'll be cheaper than a lawsuit if the dog bites the water meter reader, postman, gas meter reader.

Answer 6

Don't do this. Just love your dog. He barks doesn't he? That is an alarm. He is giving a warning. Would you rather he maul a poor innocent child.
Think about this. Your dog is to love, not to be your security system.

Answer 7

How old is he?

He needs socializing and obedience training to build his confidence.

Answer 8

socialise him!
the best thing you could do!
training wold be useful to him, go to a proper dog class.
good luck

Answer 9

Talk to a police dog trainer, eh? :]

Answer 10

get a rottweiler... all the shepherds i have ever met, i was able to intimidate them very easily and make them back down. people respect rottweilers...and the DONT back down. my rott wont back down from anyone.