Question:How can you identify an aggressive pup
reason for question:The trainers I'm currently working with have told me that my 10mos. old male GSD has aggression issues however I disagree.Twice now only while at class he has reared up on his leash and barked with hackles up at people.Once in the parking lot standing next to the entrance door and someone came out unexpectedly and another time while working he caught a glimpse of someone in the doorway and had the same reaction.The trainer thinks it's directed toward children,but this does not happen anywhere else.My neighbor has five kids of various ages as well as my own nieces and nephews who visit regularly.The pup shows nothing but love.No aggression toward other animals and has been through one puppy class already without incident.Trainer thinks he may be maturing early and showing his true temperament.This concerns me as I said there are many children around and I do not want an aggressive dog.I have plans for this little guy re:schutzhund work and would like to know what you all think.Thanks in advance

It sounds like the pup is having issues with people in the shadows. I don't think I would be all that concerned. Where are you at in your training? Are you proofing yet? If you are proofing the dog I would just correct him for breaking his heel or whatever command you have him under and ignore the person.

I am going to preface this with, I'm not an expert-but it sounds more like a nerves issue than an aggression issue. I know when Remi gets nervous he will sometimes do the hackles up barking thing, then I will correct him and he won't do it anymore. When you correct him does he stop the behvarior?

Thanks for the response,once I correct him the behavior stops.It seems to me he is just startled.The first time it happened it was the first time at class so I figured it was just the new surroundings,as far as the second time I don't know what might have caught his eye,but it was during the heel and once corrected he stopped.I hope it's not anything with his nerves,he seems ok but I'm not a pro.Things like fireworks,vacuums,or strange new things don't seem to faze him around the house so I'll keep watching him in the mean time.Thanks again <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />