Aggression

[.dodger.]

I've gotten to the point where i really need to work on modifying Dodger's behavior around people, kids and other dogs. With all the work i have put in from what Bev taught me he is now a very well trained dog (most of the times ) He is brilliant off lead and as long as the person or dog isn't to close he barely notices them, this is all without a ball

He can walk past people without a bother and may be very interested in the other dogs approaching but does still continues to walk past them by my side, this is all on lead. He still gets very nervous, anxious and unsettled when kids are out and i feel he is always on guard.

i would like to get to the point where i can stop and talk to people and not have to worry about him lunging at them should they move to quickly or suddenly.

I am very calm when out with him and no longer feel anxious myself because i know i can control him. i would just like to have the same amount of control over him as i do when we are alone to when there are other people and dogs out walking.

He has a very good leave and recall now, even around other dogs. Some examples are...

We were out at the nature reserve and dodger was out trotting in front of me and my mam, we were walking up the hill and as dodger reached the top i noticed he froze for a second then did a big lunge down. I quickly recalled him and within a split second he was back over the hill by my side, as we reached the top there was a guy walking up with a GSD running around.

Another time i accidentally sent him after a man and his yappy little yorkie
Me, dodge and benji were at the park in the middle of the field, both off lead. Benji was quite far away so i told dodger to 'go get him', it's dodgers little cue where he'll run up to Benji or Lucy and herd them back to me. I didn't notice a man walking on the path with his yorkie but Dodger had, as i told him the cue he went sprinting off in the guys direction! i quickly shouted leave and he just stopped in his tracks and looked back at me. I recalled him and he never looked at the guy again.

Dodger still isn't very good with face to face meetings and this is when he can get very bullish and 'aggressive', now i tend not to let him meet any dog that he doesn't no really really well.

Sorry this post is a bit of a mess i'm in a bit of a rush so i can imagine that none of it makes any sense
My basic aim is to find training ways to get Dodger as safe as he can be around people, kids and dogs so any advice would be great

[*Lassie*]

Sounds like you are doing well so far, most GSD I have met are very much one person dogs and can be defensive if people come too close to their person.
I know what you mean about kids, Willow hates them. I tell them to leave her alone but they still chase after her to touch her. Worried she may nip one day so now am quite blunt telling them don't touch the dog.

[Sweetypye]

Sounds to me that your dog is "windy" eg fearful,and insecure hence the lunging when you stop to speak to people.

Dogs that are overly defensive are generally worried and not relaxed due poor socialisation, genetics and/or poor leadership from the owner.

Perhaps you could get together with some experienced people on a regular basis in order to desensitise and counter condition your dog to other people.  However you do need to have people who KNOW you and your dog, can correctly identify what is going on and have a plan, including a contingency plan, to follow.

It is no good going out willy nilly with a vague idea of what you hope to achieve and how it will be accomplished as of course the key to all dog training is consistency; of approach and consequences.

If the dog is stable, has been adequately socialised, trained correctly and has a confident owner, it should not overreact to the presence of people or dogs, even if they come up to you.

Whatever the breed.

Remember if the dog is making his own risk assessments and calls, he is receiving insufficient leadership.

NB I noted that in an earlier post on another thread dated May that you were just about to embark on schutzhund training with your dog.  You would not be able to do so if your dog currently behaves in this manner.

[dogdiplomacy]

Echo Sweetypye.

In the absence of health issues causing your behaviours then it will come down to leadership, or the lack of it.

However, that said, a part of it will be remembered behaviour/response. If this has been going on for a while then your dog could have an association in his mind that when he sees another dog or person then he thinks that what he should do. In that case the leadership needs to be in place and consistent for a very long period of time.

[Billy1111]

Hi this is just a thought ,have you tried simple distaction ?? sorry very difficult to comment as can not see body lanage displayed :-). but if you anticipate well , it seems from you post you do , try offerig him an alternitive bfore he gets to the lunging phase.
Something hight value to distract ?? hope this makes sense :-) and only a suggestion.  . Hope this helps you prob have already tried :-)

[lynda1969]

hi i also have a gsd called charlie, im really sorry u have problems and i just wondered if u use a choke chain. i do and find when charlie is about to do something i dont want ie run after a dog or go to far a head, i rattle the chain and he stops in his tracks. a trainer i no told me whilst training your dog if he dosent do as his told throw the choke chain at his feet and sooner or later he will realise that as a command not to do as he likes. and i can say it works. charlie had a habit of when chasing other dogs he would go to grab them, and being a gsd other owners didnt like it and called him aggresive. a rattle of his chain and he dosent do it. hope its a helpful suggestion. beautuiful dogs by the way.

[Izzie]

hi i also have a gsd called charlie, im really sorry u have problems and i just wondered if u use a choke chain. i do and find when charlie is about to do something i dont want ie run after a dog or go to far a head, i rattle the chain and he stops in his tracks. a trainer i no told me whilst training your dog if he dosent do as his told throw the choke chain at his feet and sooner or later he will realise that as a command not to do as he likes. and i can say it works. charlie had a habit of when chasing other dogs he would go to grab them, and being a gsd other owners didnt like it and called him aggresive. a rattle of his chain and he dosent do it. hope its a helpful suggestion. beautuiful dogs by the way.

Laura posted this over a year ago, and has made progress since. She has worked Dodger without a choke chain or the need to throw one at his feet

[Val]

Hallo and Welcome
You are training your dog through fear not kindness, stick a check chain round your neck then imagine how your Charlie feels being throttled, also throwing things at the ground or dog is not a good way to train any dog, I would not call this person a trainer if that is the route she/he takes to training a dog
Val
PS Dodger is sorted now but with kindness

hi i also have a gsd called charlie, im really sorry u have problems and i just wondered if u use a choke chain. i do and find when charlie is about to do something i dont want ie run after a dog or go to far a head, i rattle the chain and he stops in his tracks. a trainer i no told me whilst training your dog if he dosent do as his told throw the choke chain at his feet and sooner or later he will realise that as a command not to do as he likes. and i can say it works. charlie had a habit of when chasing other dogs he would go to grab them, and being a gsd other owners didnt like it and called him aggresive. a rattle of his chain and he dosent do it. hope its a helpful suggestion. beautuiful dogs by the way.