I am planning on purchasing a new pup in the future. I am concerned that my current dog's fear and dog aggression will somehow rub off on the pup. How can I prevent this from happening?

Dear Mr. Frawley,

I have combed through and searched information on my specific question over your website, and I have not found one that deals with this question, I even looked up some that may go over a similar scenario and answer this, but I haven't found it. I apologize if you have encountered this before.

I have a year old german shepherd that i purchased naively from a so-called "breeder." I was new to the GSD world, and it is as much my fault for not being more informed as her fault, she does the "american Showline" (gag) and mixes them with non-working east german lines. I know now that mixing german show lines and working lines, especially american show lines (which are not german shepherds in my book) and working lines is an abomination! However, I have my dog where anything that could go wrong with a GSD has (except his hips, but he's young yet); however, he loves our family, he's loyal. He is skittish (not to be confused with standoffish) around people, expecting me to protect him; and he's dog aggressive to most dogs, for whatever reason, there are a couple dogs he's encountered (neighbors') that he gets along with quite well. Once there was a staff terrier of some sort and my fiance had sampson by the collar with his front feet off the ground and all you could hear was his teeth snapping together in effort to bite the dog; but as I said he's not like this to ALL dogs, but it matters not if the dog is friendly or aggressive. Now that you have the background on Sampson, in a year or so, I am expecting to get a real GSD, of working lines. I have done my research and found a good breeder, and there's approx a year wait. I am wanting to try shutzhund training (for the first time) with the puppy, at the very least, have a confident and non dog aggressive GSD. I am concerned that my current dog's skittishness, fear, and dog aggression will somehow rub off on the pup; even if they are properly introduced and get along well, through walks or observation, etc. How can I prevent this from happening? Is there anyway (after the dog is old enough to have a good recall) that they would be able to ever be out together? I must admit, my current dog has a horrible recall, mainly outside. If we're playing ball, he's going to run around (not off, he stays within range of me, he's not that brave, lol) and sniff the area, and ignore me when I call him, even when I use a more aggressive tone.

Thank you,
Erin