Our 6 month old German shepherd male puppy is showing aggressive behavior
toward our 2 sons. They are 19 and 21. He will bark at the sound of our
older son moving around in his room in the basement of our home. While
barking he will also back away as if he is afraid. We have tried yanking on
his choke chain and correcting him as advised by his breeder, but he still
carries on with the barking. He will let our son get close to him and pet
him, and while he has never bitten him, we are concerned. He is doing
somewhat better with our younger son, since he is around him more. The
strange thing is that he doesn't show any sign of this behavior around any
other males. We have taken him around other family members and their dogs,
and to the pet store with no problems. He is fine with other men that come
to the house and he is fine with my wife and our 17 year old daughter. He
was raised for the first 6 months by a single 60ish woman, who decided he
was too much for her. He is a good dog otherwise, seems to be pretty
intelligent and eager to learn. We don't know how to correct this behavior
and are open to suggestions. Thanks

Bill Zimmerman wrote:
Our 6 month old German shepherd male puppy is showing aggressive behavior
toward our 2 sons. They are 19 and 21. He will bark at the sound of our
older son moving around in his room in the basement of our home. While
barking he will also back away as if he is afraid. We have tried yanking on
his choke chain and correcting him as advised by his breeder, but he still
carries on with the barking. He will let our son get close to him and pet
him, and while he has never bitten him, we are concerned. He is doing
somewhat better with our younger son, since he is around him more. The
strange thing is that he doesn't show any sign of this behavior around any
other males. We have taken him around other family members and their dogs,
and to the pet store with no problems. He is fine with other men that come
to the house and he is fine with my wife and our 17 year old daughter. He
was raised for the first 6 months by a single 60ish woman, who decided he
was too much for her. He is a good dog otherwise, seems to be pretty
intelligent and eager to learn. We don't know how to correct this behavior
and are open to suggestions. Thanks





Hey Bill,

Your dog needs to associate your sons with *good things*. When they're
around they should be the ones to feed him, give treats and toys. Don't
correct the dog for showing fear aggression - he'll equate your sons
with bad things happening and that could exacerbate the situation. It's
hard, I know. I have a GSD mix of my own that I've had to work through
some behavioral problems with. You may want to start off with having a
yummy stuffed kong or other favorite treat or toy ready whenever your
sons walk in to a room where your dog is present. As soon as they
appear, give the dog a quick command, then praise and treat. Do this a
few times, then try to have your sons give the command and treat. Your
dog should always still "earn" his treat or toy, but he will soon
associate praise and treats with your son. After this, have your sons
feed your dog (always command first) and reserve special toys that are
given when your sons are around to give them to him. I'm sure your dog
will change his tune very quickly! Good luck!

K

Bill Zimmerman wrote:
Our 6 month old German shepherd male puppy is showing aggressive behavior
toward our 2 sons. They are 19 and 21. He will bark at the sound of our
older son moving around in his room in the basement of our home. While
barking he will also back away as if he is afraid. We have tried yanking on
his choke chain and correcting him as advised by his breeder, but he still
carries on with the barking. He will let our son get close to him and pet
him, and while he has never bitten him, we are concerned. He is doing
somewhat better with our younger son, since he is around him more. The
strange thing is that he doesn't show any sign of this behavior around any
other males. We have taken him around other family members and their dogs,
and to the pet store with no problems. He is fine with other men that come
to the house and he is fine with my wife and our 17 year old daughter. He
was raised for the first 6 months by a single 60ish woman, who decided he
was too much for her. He is a good dog otherwise, seems to be pretty
intelligent and eager to learn. We don't know how to correct this behavior
and are open to suggestions. Thanks





Hey Bill,

Your dog needs to associate your sons with *good things*. When they're
around they should be the ones to feed him, give treats and toys. Don't
correct the dog for showing fear aggression - he'll equate your sons
with bad things happening and that could exacerbate the situation. It's
hard, I know. I have a GSD mix of my own that I've had to work through
some behavioral problems with. You may want to start off with having a
yummy stuffed kong or other favorite treat or toy ready whenever your
sons walk in to a room where your dog is present. As soon as they
appear, give the dog a quick command, then praise and treat. Do this a
few times, then try to have your sons give the command and treat. Your
dog should always still "earn" his treat or toy, but he will soon
associate praise and treats with your son. After this, have your sons
feed your dog (always command first) and reserve special toys that are
given when your sons are around to give them to him. I'm sure your dog
will change his tune very quickly! Good luck!

K

In article "Karen M." writes:

I agree with Karen with one exception. Should the dog growl at your
sons they should just walk away or offer the treats only after
the dog has stopped growling. You don't want your sons offering
your GSD treats after growling nor should your sons be correlated with
your dog being reprimanded.

--Marshall

Hey Bill,

Your dog needs to associate your sons with *good things*. When they're
around they should be the ones to feed him, give treats and toys. Don't
correct the dog for showing fear aggression - he'll equate your sons
with bad things happening and that could exacerbate the situation. It's
hard, I know. I have a GSD mix of my own that I've had to work through
some behavioral problems with. You may want to start off with having a
yummy stuffed kong or other favorite treat or toy ready whenever your
sons walk in to a room where your dog is present. As soon as they
appear, give the dog a quick command, then praise and treat. Do this a
few times, then try to have your sons give the command and treat. Your
dog should always still "earn" his treat or toy, but he will soon
associate praise and treats with your son. After this, have your sons
feed your dog (always command first) and reserve special toys that are
given when your sons are around to give them to him. I'm sure your dog
will change his tune very quickly! Good luck!

K

In article "Karen M." writes:

I agree with Karen with one exception. Should the dog growl at your
sons they should just walk away or offer the treats only after
the dog has stopped growling. You don't want your sons offering
your GSD treats after growling nor should your sons be correlated with
your dog being reprimanded.

--Marshall

Hey Bill,

Your dog needs to associate your sons with *good things*. When they're
around they should be the ones to feed him, give treats and toys. Don't
correct the dog for showing fear aggression - he'll equate your sons
with bad things happening and that could exacerbate the situation. It's
hard, I know. I have a GSD mix of my own that I've had to work through
some behavioral problems with. You may want to start off with having a
yummy stuffed kong or other favorite treat or toy ready whenever your
sons walk in to a room where your dog is present. As soon as they
appear, give the dog a quick command, then praise and treat. Do this a
few times, then try to have your sons give the command and treat. Your
dog should always still "earn" his treat or toy, but he will soon
associate praise and treats with your son. After this, have your sons
feed your dog (always command first) and reserve special toys that are
given when your sons are around to give them to him. I'm sure your dog
will change his tune very quickly! Good luck!

K

If my sons walk into the room and sit down, the dog will bark and lunge at
them and even bit them. The treats don't work. He tries to bit them while
they are trying to give him a treat.
If I put the dog on a lead and hand the lead to my son, the dog will calm
down. But, 30 minutes later if my son comes back in the room it starts all
over again.

If my sons walk into the room and sit down, the dog will bark and lunge at
them and even bit them. The treats don't work. He tries to bit them while
they are trying to give him a treat.
If I put the dog on a lead and hand the lead to my son, the dog will calm
down. But, 30 minutes later if my son comes back in the room it starts all
over again.

Bill Zimmerman wrote:
We have tried yanking on
his choke chain and correcting him as advised by his breeder,
For the OP:
........His breeder is an idiot. All you're doing is instilling more fear
into the dog. This dog may not have been properly socialized to begin with.
And take the choke chain off of him in the house, otherwise it's a recipe
for disaster.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

Bill Zimmerman wrote:
We have tried yanking on
his choke chain and correcting him as advised by his breeder,
For the OP:
........His breeder is an idiot. All you're doing is instilling more fear
into the dog. This dog may not have been properly socialized to begin with.
And take the choke chain off of him in the house, otherwise it's a recipe
for disaster.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

"Bill Zimmerman" wrote in message
. ..
If my sons walk into the room and sit down, the dog will bark and lunge at
them and even bit them. The treats don't work. He tries to bit them
while
they are trying to give him a treat.
If I put the dog on a lead and hand the lead to my son, the dog will calm
down. But, 30 minutes later if my son comes back in the room it starts
all
over again.

............So you keep doing what works - for 2 weeks or more. Dog training
doesn't happen overnight. At this point you need some professional help
before this dog gets put down for biting, which would be a great waste. His
life is in your hands.

buglady
take out the dog before replying