My trainer thinks that we should put our 2 1/2 year old GSD to sleep because he has bitten me. What do you think?

Dear Ed,

I have a question regarding our German Shepherd. He's 2 years old now and weighs 108 pounds. He wasn't socialized as a puppy, so we are taking him to a trainer because of fear biting and aggression with people in the yard and house (he hadn't been aggressive toward my husband, our children, or myself.) The trainer has been helpful, and we've seen a lot of improvement. The last time we went for a session, she told us that our dog sees my husband as a leader, but doesn't see me as one. He basically refused to obey me at times during the session. She told me he was testing me and to keep doing what I have been, which is not giving any praise, petting or food unless he's done something for it sit, stay, down, etc, and to stare him down if he gets into a 'battle of wills' with me (she told me what to look for in his stance and said to make sure he heard the command before I stare him down? I'm to look him in the eye until he obeys me), or to use his choke collar by giving it a quick snap. She's also watched me as I worked with him and has taught me to properly put the choke chain on and use it correctly (we had never used one before). She said when I give a command, to be prepared to take as much time as possible with him until he obeys. I've learned so much from her and have been following her suggestions and our dog is doing so well! I'm very new to the dog training process, and I've been amazed at how quickly our big guy is learning, now that we know what to do. He's much happier, which makes us much happier. But then tonight, I told him 'down' and he just looked at me, started to go down from his sitting position, then stood back up. I reached for his collar and he bit me and ran away. He didn't draw any blood it didn't even hurt, but I don't understand this behavior or why he would do that. He has tested me during the training process, but has always submitted and obeyed the command he's been given. He's never bitten me before. I have been giving him praise when he obeys commands, and I don't do anything physical to him, except for the collar snapping. And most of the time, just the sound of the collar has been enough incentive for him to obey, so we aren't even having to snap it as much as before. He also bit the trainer on two separate occasions (without breaking the skin), and she said it was okay, he was just testing her. She had gotten him calmly on a leash 15 minutes after meeting him, and actually had him obeying her commands so I've trusted her advice and have seen good results. But, when I called her tonight after our dog bit me, she suggested putting him down because we'll never be able to trust him around our children or anyone else maybe not even my husband or myself. She told us he was poorly bred and thinks that could be causing some of the problems, too. I am wondering if putting him down is the right choice. I'd much rather keep working with him or find him another home. She told me that finding him a new home could be dangerous for the people who would take him, or even dangerous to the dog, because of the possibility of him being abused by an owner who didn't know how to work with dogs. I've been searching the internet and I stumbled upon your website. A lot of the things I've read on it so far sound like what our trainer says and it seems like you really understand and know dogs. My question is, do you agree with our trainer? She says that he is too dangerous to have in our home with our children (ages 9, 4, and 1), that putting him outside would be cruel because he's a pack animal (which I totally agree with), and that giving him away could be dangerous to another owner or even our dog. She also told us that he may never bite us or our children, but if it were her dog, she would have it put down, just because of the possible risk. She said she knew it was hard to hear, and it is which is why I'm asking what you would do? Would you ever suggest putting a dog down in this type of situation? I would truly value your opinion and appreciate you taking the time to read this and hopefully reply.

Thank you,
Leah