I am so pissed right now!!! Rade bit my friend, unprovoked. My friend, Sarah, Joe, and I were standing outside in my backyard, with Rade on a leash (we were actually trying to figure out how the puppy kept escaping from the kennel ) and Rade wass just sitting next to me, the next thing I know Rade lunged up and grabbed a hold of Sarah's stomach, I quickly pulled the leash back, not allowing him to get a full bite, but he still gripped on. I hung his behind, and eventually he let go.

I dont understand why he did this. There were no sudden movement, or threatening gestures, it was out of the blue. I went to trainining today and this was the first time this trainer met Rade, he looked at him and said "This dog has some issues", just by his look and body language. He is completely unpredictable, and is a liability. I love Rade and he is a beautiful dog, but I am at a loss. Do I give him back to the breeder? I dont know what to do, any advice???

Hi! just wondering, did Rade get any better about lunging an dgrowling at strangers (I was reading your September thread)

I noticed that someone mentioned that if you used the DD method (lifting the dog) he might start to hide the preliminary signs of aggression, and just bite or lunge. Maybe thats what happened.

As to whether or not to keep the dog, that is up to you. Do you have some kind of agreement with your breeder about temperament? Do you think you can handle the work and vigilance of keeping a dog with aggression towards humans? Personally, I wouldnt keep a dog that I had to keep isolated 24/7, but thats just my belief, I know there are some great trainers here who work with all kinds of dogs.

At any rate, I would keep the dog away from people, theres really not much need for them to fraternize with other humans, anyway...

Aleida, Is this the same friend that kicked him back in Sept? The one who got scared and acted frantically when she picked up a tug and Rade went for it?

If so, dogs remember and there doesn't need to be any threatening gesture on the part of that person. Your dog now doesn't like that person. Either that or your friend did do something that triggered the dog and you didn't notice it (a stare or body movement or something similar).

I'd go back to the threads you've posted in the past about this dog and reread the advice given you then. One such thread is http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=19&Number=156631&Searchpage=1&Main=16401&Words=+Aleida+Cebreco&topic=0&Search=true#Post156631
Another one: http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=31&Number=156035&Searchpage=1&Main=16350&Words=+Aleida+Cebreco&topic=0&Search=true#Post156035

If I've followed your threads correctly, you have 3 very young GSDs, all from working lines - Rade just over a year old, Apollo who is about the same age as Rade, and now Mace who is about 16 weeks.

So now I'm wondering what the obedience level of the 2 older dogs are, are they involved in some meaningful sport or activity, what your plans are for all 3 dogs, how they get along with each other, how they interact with you and how they view you, the exercise they're getting, if the pack structure is intact, etc.

Cause you know that if a dog has issues, probably 98% of the time it's the owner's fault. Something you're doing or not doing. Maybe you can shed a little more light on how you deal with all 3 dogs.

Mary, you are right, whats the point in having a dog that must be isolated from the world. I nor Rade can be happy or benefit from the situation.

Well, Rade is gone back with the breeder. I feel it was the best thing for Rade. Hopefully she can place him with a good handler who can "appreciate" his genetics and temperament. It was really hard for me, but its the best for Rade. I know the breeder truly cares about him (I mean who drives out at 10:00pm to come pick up a dog). He will find his place, and he will always have a place in my heart, just like Ryot.

Sandy, Rade IS Apollo (changed his name).

This was a different friend, she did nothing to him, wasnt even paying him attention. No obvious signs were there, no eye contact, no movement, no body language from Rade (very nuetral, just sitting, not even looking at Sarah).

 Quote: Aleida Cebreco

Sandy, Rade IS Apollo (changed his name).

This was a different friend, she did nothing to him, wasnt even paying him attention. No obvious signs were there, no eye contact, no movement, no body language from Rade (very nuetral, just sitting, not even looking at Sarah).

Oh, same dog, gotcha. Just out of curiosity, you said you got him when he was 6 months old, I assume from the breeder. Did she keep him that long or was he maybe returned to her once before?

As far as I know, Sandy, Rade (Apollo) was with her for the entire 6 months. I have come a long way with Rade, no more lunging in public, but still the occasional growl.

He just wasnt the dog for me. I want a dog I can take out with me, not to be social with people but for me. I enjoy going places with my dogs and just spending time with them. I just rushed out and got a dog because of my whole ordeal with my previous dog (long story). Now looking back it was selfish of me to do so, for all parties involved.

Thank God you got the dog from a breeder that lived up to his/her respondsibilites.

I think you seem very honest in your ability and limitations and probably made the right decision.

The important thing here is to learn from this situation and not to make the same mistakes again. Now Apollo will have to adjust to a new environment and pack all over again (hopefully he still remembers the breeder) Then once he is placed in another home he will have to adjust again. Very stressful for a dog.

Anyway, you have recognized and taken responsibility for your error. A lot of people never even do that. Remember mistakes belong in the past, not to be repeated. I think you made the right choice for the dog in this instance because you couldn't handle him, which is fine, not all working lines and/or temperaments are for everyone.

Thankyou Michelle! I respect his breeder for how quickly she took action and came and got him.

Robin- A working dog to me does not mean the dog is overly agressive, and unpredictable. STABILITY is first and foremost, IMO anyways. The breeder questioned my knowledge of working dogs and I told her the truth. I have worked with working dogs, Ryot was from working lines (about 25% showlines), but was very stable. His "breeder" had numerous "working dogs", that I took care of on a daily basis. I understood each and every one of their temperaments. Ryots father, I had to be careful around but he was NEVER unpredictable. When out in public NOT ONCE did any of her dogs lunge out at children, dogs, ignorant people because one of the wonderful traits about a GSD is that they should be able to tell whats a threat and what isnt.

The first time Rade bit my other friend was understandable, heck I would have done the same thing. But biting for no apparent reason when no one was even paying attention is UNACCEPTABLE. Working dog or not.