I hope someone can help me with this. I have an almost 3 year old male GSD who was imported from Germany and has been through A LOT. I don't know if anyone remembers, but this dog almost died when he was a puppy, and was sick for a VERY long time.

He recently has been in better health, but is getting over a very bad skin infection which was not properly daignosed, and what I believe have transformed into a fungal infection, which seems to be responding to antibiotics and medicated shampoo. He also has chronic ear infections. Since he keeps getting them all the time, this MUST be genetic right? He is supposed to be GUARANTEED against this kind of stuff if it is genetic.

Anyways, about 3 weeks ago, my girlfriend and I had to move in with her family, who happen to have 2 female dogs and 1 male dog, all un-neutered/un-fixed. However, they all live outside in the backyard and are never allowed in the house. All 3 are GSD's btw. Our GSD lives inside with us. Lately he has been growling and snapping at us at night when we are trying to go to sleep. He has also been going crazy at the T.V. when certain things like cartoons, other dogs, etc come on. The growling and snapping has gotten so bad, that we no longer sleep in the same room as him, which I hope can be reversed. The only other time he gets real aggressive is when we try to spray something (as he had a bad skin infection and I think some of the flea spray we had burned his skin, so now he has a fear of sprays) and when we try to treat/clean his ears out. The growling/snapping begins with him whining, then proceding to growl and then snap at us while we are laying down in the bed.

Does anyone know what I can do to fix this, and what has caused it?

THank you so much.

P.S. - The dog is somewhat trained, but not professionally. He is also un-neutered.

What have you been doing to correct him? It sounds like a training issue. You should seek professional help. That behavior can be dangerous and if you don't know how to correct it, it will/can get worse.

If all else fails
I hate to sound cold hearted but if he has that many health issues and now is mentally unstable what about just putting him to sleep? You have to think of the quality of life and if the dog is always sick...Just a thought.....

Matt, you were given good advice previously on this board.
Did you take it?

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=134&Number=195006&Searchpage=1&Main=19440&Words=+Matthew+Criner&topic=0&Search=true#Post195006

Crate this dog. If he isn't in the crate, he needs to be on a leash.


I would give serious consideration to finding a new, more experienced home for this dog.

He is in the crate when we are not home/not in the room. However, if we come in the bed room and leave him in the crate, he will start barking, whining, etc.

It is just strange that I have never had a problem until moving here.

Is this not the same dog that sent you to the hospital in the past?

The same dog that was being aggressive and dominant towards your girlfriend as a puppy?

And I will not put the dog to sleep. His ear infections can be controlled with the proper medicine. I am hoping the skin infection goes away, as it seemns to be clearing up.

Is this stuff genetic? Perhaps I can get the breeder to pay for the vet care since he is supposed to be guaranteed against this kind of stuff.

Yes this is the same dog that sent me to the hospital and I have not had any problems since then until now.

Please, if you don't have any helpful suggestions, just don't respond.

Anyone know if neutering would be the answer? And if this type of behavior is caused by females in heat?

I don't think the dog needs to be put to sleep.
I think the dog needs a handler that, instead of becoming defensive, will get real and own up to mistakes.

The problems that caused him to bite you (at least twice) don't go away on their own. He's well on his way to biting you again.

The "helpfulness" of my suggestions is only diminished by your refusal to accept reality. This is not the first time that you have had serious problems with this dog.

Given that the same problems are recurring, I'd wager that you didn't follow any of the suggestions you have received previously. Either accept your failings and commit yourself to really getting it right this time...

... or find the dog a new home, before Animal Control has him destroyed.

Neutering is unlikely to help. The problem is pack structure, not hormonal.