Hi
I've got a 12 month GSD with quite a few problems. He is very dominant. I can't go near his food bowl when he's eating, when I take him for a walk I have to keep him on a lead otherwise he runs off, if any other dog comes near he tries to attack it. I don't work during the day and I got Jack when he was 4 months old because I wanted to make the most of the lovely walks around where I live. Jack is a total nightmare, he pulls like hell on the lead, I have tried a choke chain, pinch collar and electric shock collar, which has made him worse as he now tries to go for you if you go near his head with a lead. I now muzzle him much of the day for fear of him attacking me. He really does rule the house and I'm at my wits end as to what to do. He is very energetic and goes swimming at a hydrotherapy pool twice a week however Sunday he nearly took the person who runs it hand off.
A friend suggested that it might just be because he is bored with my company, another dog would be good as he would have someone to play with. So I've now got a gorgeous male Shetland Sheepdog from a pet shop, 6 months old. Well Jack took an instant disliking to it, he has bitten it 6 times and the poor little puppy is now terrified. I dare not take Jack to obedience, it would be dreadful with Jack trying to attack all the other dogs, does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do? At the moment I keep Jack outside at night and Buzz in my room but obviously I can't do this forever.
Any help would be appreciated.
Cid.

I suggest you call a obedience trainer and instead of signing up for a class try finding one you can hire one on one because it's your last chance. The GSP sounds so dominate you don't even trust him? He needs to learn that you are the alpha and he is your dog and he is supposed to listen to you etc. A dog like that can become very dangerous. Sometimes with a dog like that getting a new dog wasn't the correct thing to do and you may have made it worse. Just try to contact a trainer of some sort for a one on one so that you can correct the behaivor if it isn't already too late for your dog. I'm sorry you are going throw this it can happen with any dog. But you do what you can do before making a decision that it's the end etc.

It is confused about who is in charge. It is quite possible it is used to
Being in charge, and intends to stay in charge. Likely it is already neutered,
But do so now if not. Dogs with behavior problems should never be bred. Then
You need to take over as top dog. Having a good pack structure reduces such
Problems. The dogs see all the
People and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
The pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
Outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by
Reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
Or book is about you learning to be top dog, not the dog learning it gets a
Treat if it sits. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete.

A top dog does not put up with biting by a lower status one. Give a warning
Stern "Bad Dog!". In
Stubborn cases, I repeat the "Bad dog!" right in its face with the dog on its
Back. Hold it down until it lifts one back leg to show submission. Use one
Forearm under his jaw to keep his teeth away from your face. If you can't do that,
Try the squirt bottle. Fill it with water and a little vinegar or lemon juice. Give it a
Squirt in the face as soon as it misbehaves. Dogs hate that. Every time he snaps or
Growls, he immediately gets which ever bad consequence works best for you.
Don't forget the praise and petting when he finally yields.

If you bought him from a breeder, let the breeder know you are unhappy with his
Aggression. It is absolutely wrong to breed aggressive dogs. If the dog does
Not respond to discipline, you may have to destroy him. Let everyone else know
Where you got the dog and the problems you are having. Breeders that breed
Aggressive dogs, should be run out of business.

I hope Buzz is still OK. Sometimes it is a little hard for you to tell the difference between play and aggression. Buzz can tell, and if he flees, it is a problem. Again, use the squirt bottle, if you don't have the size and strength to but him on his back safely.

If you get to where you may try to walk him again, try a head collar. There are 2 brands, for him I would favor the Haltie which does somewhat function as a muzzle over the Gentle Leader. The head collar dramatically puts you in charge without the jerking with the other collars or pain.

He could be beyond you due to poor breeding and early socialization. Most of his personality was formed before you got him. You may want to consider finding somebody that can handle him, and keeping Buzz. To find Shepherd loving people to take him and save him start at Page Not Found.
For a rescue description, see http://www.no-sb-260.com/rescue.html. If you can't change him, or find somebody that can, he may have to be destroyed. I usually do not suggest it, but this may be a case for Crazy's suggestion of hiring a trainer.

I am a former AskMe expert, and found a reference to this site on www.pointask.com. I am active on several sites, but haven't found one I really like. I saw your older question, and answered it because I thought you needed help.


Late 07 update:

Although I have found the above advice effective, along with most of the dog training world, I have moved to more positive methods. I like the Top dog rules at Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cid1212

Hi
I've got a 12 month GSD with quite a few problems. He is very dominant. I can't go near his food bowl when he's eating, when I take him for a walk I have to keep him on a lead otherwise he runs off, if any other dog comes near he tries to attack it. I don't work during the day and I got Jack when he was 4 months old because I wanted to make the most of the lovely walks around where I live. Jack is a total nightmare, he pulls like hell on the lead, I have tried a choke chain, pinch collar and electric shock collar, which has made him worse as he now tries to go for you if you go near his head with a lead. I now muzzle him much of the day for fear of him attacking me. He really does rule the house and I'm at my wits end as to what to do. He is very energetic and goes swimming at a hydrotherapy pool twice a week however sunday he nearly took the person who runs it hand off.
A friend suggested that it might just be because he is bored with my company, another dog would be good as he would have someone to play with. So I've now got a gorgeous male Shetland Sheepdog from a pet shop, 6 months old. Well Jack took an instant disliking to it, he has bitten it 6 times and the poor little puppy is now terrified. I dare not take Jack to obedience, it would be dreadful with Jack trying to attack all the other dogs, does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do? At the moment I keep Jack outside at night and Buzz in my room but obviously I can't do this forever.
Any help would be appreciated.
Cid.

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Take Jack to obedience. Trust me, someone there will know what to do and will be able to "handle" the dog. If you can't get him under control, then he needs to be humanely euthanized as he is a danger to you and others in your household. Also, if he gets out and bites an unsuspecting stranger you will be sued. You need to get this animal under control.