April 07, 2022
My 5 1/2 month old German Shepherd puppy lunges and bites at people and also jumps at my face, grabs my arms or bites my back if I turn away. Any direction is appreciated.
Full Question:
I have a 5.5-month-old male GSD puppy who lunges & bites at people holding a leash (or standing nearby). We manage his life with NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free). He's either in a crate or on a leash in the house, he's asked to sit and wait at doors and before coming out of crate. We completed 14 wks of puppy preschool and basic obed., we have your basic and inter. obed., and puppy pack structure videos, which we have found very helpful. He is not our first GSD and not our first pup, but he's the 1st who's coming at me in a scary way. He will jump up at my face, grabs my arms, jumps up and paws, or bites my back if I turn away. Today, I noticed that he is raising his lips when he is going for my arm. I can't see a pattern to what sets it off. I have tried verbal "NO," "sit," (no response), pushing him off (comes back stronger), & turn away (bit my back). He runs off-leash on trails approx 2 hrs a day, we train and do nose work. Any direction is appreciated... 
Cindy's Answer:
Since you have him in training right now I would see if there is someone local who can help you work through this. I am concerned about a puppy of this age that is displaying this level of frustration in this way. While a lot of puppies get frustrated and will try different behaviors to get their way this sounds like something that needs one-on-one help in person.
I'd also suggest teaching him to wear a muzzle now so he can't use his mouth in this way during the training process. I actually teach all my dogs to happily wear a muzzle while they are young anyway, so it's good idea. Since he's young and still growing I'd use a Baskerville (inexpensive) muzzle since you will likely need a new one soon as he becomes larger.
If you haven't already, I'd also reach out to your breeder for input. Sometimes this behavior is genetically based and will always need to be managed and other times it's a phase young dogs go through as they mature.
I'd also suggest teaching him to wear a muzzle now so he can't use his mouth in this way during the training process. I actually teach all my dogs to happily wear a muzzle while they are young anyway, so it's good idea. Since he's young and still growing I'd use a Baskerville (inexpensive) muzzle since you will likely need a new one soon as he becomes larger.
If you haven't already, I'd also reach out to your breeder for input. Sometimes this behavior is genetically based and will always need to be managed and other times it's a phase young dogs go through as they mature.
User Response:
Thank you so much for your quick reply. I decided to make a video of much of our walk this morning and have noticed that he stares at me intently immediately before jumping up. I am hoping that with a trainer and being alert to cues, I can interrupt the behavior before it occurs.I will definitely order a muzzle for him and reach out to the breeder. Again, thanks so much!
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