German Shepard Showing signs of aggression

[Guest Anonymous]

I have an 18 month old female German Shepard. She has been a loving pet and very affectionate with my family as well as guests in our yard. She is treated well, obediant, playful and happy.

In the last month she has twice been aggressive to people visiting. She barked and "snaped" at them. This worries me to no end and I fear that she will continue being unpredictable in this way in the future. It would break my heart if my dog ever hurt someone, but I don't know how I can ensure that this won't happen. She has not been fixed. Will this help? Can I ever trust her with guests in my yard?

Please help.

Ryan Larsen

[GSDmom]

Hi, I am in the same boat as you. I have a male GSD who has (I am told) barked rather aggressivly at neighbors. He did this when I was not home and he has not shown the slightes sign of aggression when I am there. The first time my hubby let him outside when I was out of town. The neighbor was in her yard and he chased her into her house. She Has owned a GSD mix before and is not afraid of dogs, but said he really surprised her. The second time he was penned outside and noone was home and he got loose. My hubby was at a friends house nearby and the dog had gone down to play with school children who were just getting out. The neighbor (another one) saw the dog loose and went to nock on our door. The dog saw him in our yard and came after him barking and growling. Dwight found my hubby and Chris put the dog in his kennel. I am keeping him crated at all times except when I am there to supervise and I really beleive he will grow out of it (he is 15 months) with proper training. He does have good nerves otherwise and has now made friends with these neighbors. I think you need to just make sure she is under control all the time. Obedience training and making sure you are the boss will work wonders. It might also help if she has a job to do to keep her mind occupied and physically active. Hope this helps!

[Guest Anonymous]

Your dog is maturing. She is no longer just a playful pup she is coming into her own and taking over pack responsibilities for guarding her territory. Its up to you to pursue training to keep her from making her own decisions on who is allowed on your premises etc If you do not you are likely to end up with a lawsuit when she finally bites someone for real.
Its not that your dog is unpredictable its that she is a dog and is growing up into what her breed is designed to be without any training from you on directing her instincts.


[quote]
On 2002-05-11 17:07, Anonymous wrote:
I have an 18 month old female German Shepard. She has been a loving pet and very affectionate with my family as well as guests in our yard. She is treated well, obediant, playful and happy.

In the last month she has twice been aggressive to people visiting. She barked and "snaped" at them. This worries me to no end and I fear that she will continue being unpredictable in this way in the future. It would break my heart if my dog ever hurt someone, but I don't know how I can ensure that this won't happen. She has not been fixed. Will this help? Can I ever trust her with guests in my yard?

Please help.

Ryan Larsen
[/quote]

[Guest Anonymous]

Did the "guests" walk straight in to your yard? if so the dog was doing the dog thing and protecting boundaries!
Did the dog know the "guests"? if not once again a way to get rid of "non pack" members
You should try to remember that all dogs are pack animals and still a little wolf. You must greet the guests first within visual contact of your dog and then he will know its o.k. to let them in as you have allowed it as the Alpha....and put a warning on your gate!!...and don't get on at your dog too much for doing natural, instinctive things just try to gently take his mind away from the "intruders" with a treat for being a "good dog" and tell him soothingly well done for barking we are all safe now..but be there to make sure he does not bite....hope all goes well..........K.

[Guest Anonymous]

Growing up in my house we've had 3 German Sheperds. One after the other ofcourse not at the same time. I love G.S. dogs.
Like everyone else who replied; Sheperds are very protective and loving dogs. They "Come Into Their Own" and you can help them by training them. They are very "Territorial" when it comes to their spaces.
You've got one huge plus on your side my friend...... The Breeds Intelligence!!
They are smart as hell. All you need is time and training for he/she. I know this because I grew up with them and watched my Dad train 2 out of the 3, The first one "Bruno" my Dad trained him German commands!!!! Unbelieveable dogs they are!
I've seen some that are very "jerky" and Nervous around people and places. Yet look at Police G.S. Dogs?
Bring people over as much as possible and reprimand him when their there and reward him/her when they do good. Also find "Dog Party Clubs". This is where people bring there dogs together as pups to "Hang Out" and get to know each other as well as it's purpose- To get the dogs used to other dogs. If you isolate the dogs from other dogs it will react defensively instead of jovial.
German Sheperds are VERY obedient if you take the time . Funny though you should ALWAYS keep an eye on the dog around people and people in the yard. There only doing what there instincts tell them to do. Smartest dogs around, but very protective. Hey! There Herder's don't forget. Good luck.