At 1.5 yr old my male GSD Mat, growled at me in the presence of my wife. I was telling a puppy "No!" disciplining the pup. This situation was resolved when I told Mat to "get out of here and go play" and the dog touted off. After seeing this she stated that "Mat may turn on you one day". She seems to really believe this and spoke with another pet trainer about it.

Now I will admitt he is a dominate dog but is that bad as long as I'm Alpha and he's under control.

Mat has had some Obedience training, Protection, were working on basic tracking (He keeps his noses down well, corners throws him). I've bought several of Ed's tapes and had some professional help.

I can stop Mat on command, in a full charge at people, dogs or a body of water. He won't charge unless they are behind me and coming toward me. If we are facing the incoming, he will stay in a sit, down or ignore them. Unless he he scent they are unfriendly.

Now I did have a problem at about 11 months -maybe 1yr old. A couple of times while training in my bed room. We were working on the down and they (I have two dogs, the other is a female Rottie, Mulan) were being released by name to get the treat which was placed 6ft in front of them, at my feet. (We will talk later if this is a good training technique). I think trouble at this age is normal, isn't.

Everything was going fine until the last peiece of meat and I called Mulan's name. Mat tried to get it and when I step in between, him and the meat. He showed teeth barked and growled. I had to strike him with a stick, (I know some people feel you should never strike a dog, but this discipline him or lose control, he has never forgotten this lesson sorry if this offends some of you) I then had him come back and put him at a down at my feet. We are past that now he's 2.5 yrs old.

I can raise my hand (as long as theres no nunchuka in it) and he just looks at me or ignore me. And we still have a strong bond, he really likes me to pat or play with him. I don't think he's afraid of getting hit, it seems the opposite when the helper has a stick in his hand it really get him going. There is a problem and I tell the helpers, if they hit him with stick he tries to take the stick or swichtes stick hand. I'm not training for sports so is this bad? It almost sounds smarter then keep getting hit.

Now giving these facts, Do you think I have an Aggression problem? Not an Aggressive dog, he is toward the ball or anything you ask him to do. Thats a GSD nature isn't.

Or is it that my wife ( the average pet owners) doesn't understand the respect that must be given working dogs. I respect him I don't push Mat around I tell him to "Move!" or "Go lie down". I'm not afraid of him, I can pet him while he's eating, even put my hand in his food (to get out, whatever has blow in it), call him out of his food and back to a down. It's respect, For example I would never try to Alpha roll him.

I'm open for oppossing and postive replies. All input would help, I feel like I'm the weakest link here, not Mat.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ok... for future reference "short" means more like 10 lines or less.

Bottom line-- you are concerned because your dog growled at you once?

No Dave I'm talking about building a relationship with a GSD, that has growled at me several times, when he was a growing up, the steps I took that stopped that. And then the last time, when I was rasing my voice at a pup. Where no physical interaction was needed, just voice command.

Ten lines make it hard explain all the good things he done before and since then.

Thanks for you input. I thought that was better. Didn't you?

It doesn't sound like you think you have a problem with the dog. It sounds like you have a problem with your wife disagreeing with the way you raise your dog, and you are trying to get people on the internet to take your side. Why don't you talk to your wife and try to work it out between you. You are the ones who have to live together.

It doesn't sound like you do have your dog's trust and respect, if he's growling at you. If your dominance over him is based upon fear of correction, then your relationship is not respectful or trusting.

Don,
I am at a loss. You certainly did not get those training methods (hitting your dog with a stick? Raising your hand at your dog?) from any tape that Ed has ever put out. Maybe you should reconcider this "professional" help that you've recieved. I totally agree with J Parker on this and rest assured I'm concidered one of the boards "meanies"

1st-Sifu

First, using a Nunchuck for a correction is not training it is abuse.

Second, this dog may be dominant but there are much better ways to deal with this than to try to beat him into submission. You are teaching the dog that dominance and control are gained through force. That means he can gain control by the same methods. Now you are going to have to fight with the dog to maintain control. Not a good situation.

Third, in a multiple dog household disciplining one dog is always a tricky issue. The dog not being disciplined will attempt to "assist" in the discipline to improve their status. The dog may have been growling at the other dog not at you. If it happens at other times with you and him alone you are dealing with a dog with rank issues and the best method I have found to deal with this is through rapid fire obedience.

Nunchuck? And who is it we say has the aggression problem??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

You are right I'm asking for your views on this matter. And yes me and my wife do disagree on matters that concern dogs training. She believes that without training a dog will protect its owner and do the things you want it to do.

I disagree without training a dog you can't depend on a dog to protect you or an item unless confidence has been built and skills attained. I really already know that, because its been proven. But I do know there were times in my past that our pet black GSd
would protect women and children, in my family. This was also true with our Collie,

I was 11 yr. old then. The question is did we know they would do it? No, it was a just as much a surpise to me as it was to the 16 yr. old bully pushing me around.

I end by saying that I guess you never had a problem like this with your dogs? If you have and handled it differently I'd like that advice.

J Parker

It doesn't sound like you do have your dog's trust and respect, if he's growling at you. If your dominance over him is based upon fear of correction, then your relationship is not respectful or trusting.

Mat is 2.5 years old, now, we don't have this problem any more with me, that is. The subject came up when a 20 yr. old man was playing with the dogs. And when he attempted to take the ball from Mat. The young man said he growled at him. I didn't hear it and got the ball out of his mouth and the game continued. But of course my wife got on this subject again. I was supervising this and playing fetch with them holding Mat so Mulan could fecth.

When Mat was 11 months through about a 1.5 we had some problems with me and him. But the dog when I touch him loves it and when he see me, his tails wags and he almost turns a flip he so happy. So Doc. Parker thanks for your opinion. That what I'm looking for. But I don't think that's the case. I'm the Boss, and he knows it. I'm just not the best trainer yet. You maybe, that is why I asking your advice. But you are wrong here.