OK, so Im new, and I NEED some serious help with this dog. Let me start by saying he is bi polar. Well, I think he is. He will want to kill a stanger one minute, and if they have a dog 5 mins later, he will pay them no attention. He doesnt back down and run off like most dogs i've met. He'll stand his ground to strangers. He is horrible off leash, and needs a pinch collar. He'd drag me down the street to bite someone if he didnt have it on. Im not small, at 5'10 nor is he little at a little over 100lbs (not fat eaither... just a very large dog). I believe he came out of Katzenblut kennels, as the lady I got him from told me all the details (his dad in iraq, and it was a lady he was purchased from). He was bought locally (in the tampa area) and that seems to fit where he came from. That being said, I believe his mom to be this dog ARA VON GRAFSCHLOSS. But, I've contacted the kennel with no response. I know his B-day, and included that in the email I sent to them, but they still have not sent an email back. The lady I got him from has his papers somewhere... Just hasnt found them yet.

So, the problem. I have a 100lb monster. He is so intense, and NEVER wants to stop playing. IT could be 100 degrees outside and he wants to grab his basket ball before you get to it. He is a goofy puppy in the house, and listens to the basic commands when he feels its in his best interests. His dad was in iraq guarding someone or something when the lady purchased him.

Anyway, I need to know what to do with this boy. He thinks to much, or Im not being clear enough to him.. SOMETHING! He did bite someone after going to his previous home, and spending a total of 2 days there. The people gave him back to his original owner, who then gave him to me. Long story. If there is anyone in the South Florida area that would like to meet this dog, and possibly give me some insight on what to do with him, PLEASE feel free to contact me. Thanks so much in advance!

Im not sure if i'll be able to find this again, so my personal email is Sweetndivious@yahoo.com

Rebekah, I am sending you an email to link you to this thread, because I seriously doubt that you are going to get a lot of response if people on the forum think you can't find the forum again.

The way the forum works is, you post your questions and people with suggestions post their responses.

How old is the dog?

Im sorry, Thanks for sending me the link. He turned 2 in april, and was neuterd at 6 months old.

I forgot to mention that he LOVES other animals. A corgi beat him up at the dog park.

I would say that your big first two steps are to get intructions for obedience training and controlling an aggressive dog and to stay away from dog parks. In fact, he needs to stay on lead all the time; as you say, you do not have control of him.

I'm going to link you to some starting reading material and to a video that you should get asap.

You mentioned that you are not being clear to him. You need to post details.

OK, you have some work to do, and *now.* But it can be done.

Here's a start:

Here are several FREE Podcasts, and I’d start with number 3, number 6, and number 8. Each one can be read as an article if you’d rather.
http://leerburg.com/dogtrainingpodcasts.htm

You can start correcting your timing problem immediately, tonight, with this article:
http://www.leerburg.com/markers.htm

I would order these videos:

http://www.leerburg.com/302.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/301.htm

In your spare time, go here:
http://www.leerburg.com/articles.htm
and just start reading. That’s my recommendation.

If you listen to the podcasts, order the videos, and start absorbing information, you can start to change your results with the dog.

These sound like general answers, but your questions were pretty general. If you have specific immediate questions, there are many knowledgeable and helpful folks on this forum.

Example: What does "wants to kill a stranger" mean? People you encounter walking outside? People coming to the door? Does he lunge and growl? What do you do?

Again, Im sorry... Kind of new at forums. He lunges, barks, attempts to bite. He barks at the slighest noise at the door. In the car, when we stop at a light and someone glances over at him, he will start to bark and growl and lunge at them threw the window. He nuts. He was given basic obidence as a puppy (before I had him) and will listen to the sit, down, stay, paw commands. Again, it is only when he feels it will benefit him.
Why should I stay away from the dog parks? He loves them and shows no aggresion towards anyone or any dog when he is there. I have 2 other dogs that were easy as pie to train- but this one has me stuck.

Rebekah,

Your dog seems totally out of control and if you don't get a handle on it right away, someone is GOING to get BIT.

Let me tell a little about his history before I got him. He was with a older lady... She fed him whatever he wanted, whenever. He had toys, treats, balls... free access in and out through a doggy door. He went to the dog park, and hung out and got fat (was 130lbs when I got him). When his former owner would call him, he wouldnt come. He has gotten better, by any standards. He just needs more. Maybe I need to find him a new home, someone with LOTS of experience with dogs who need a job?

 Quote: Rebekah Schwartz

Why should I stay away from the dog parks?

You are talking about off-leash dog parks, right?

Aside from the ten thousand other reasons, this dog cannot be off leash.

A dog who barks, lunges, growls, and tries to bite, and you are asking why he can't be let loose?