I've read through some of the old threads in hopes of working through some aggression problems I am having with my 8 mo. GSD.

The first time I noticed a problem was when I took him at about 6 month to my parents house. They have an older lab. that my GSD was around when he was about 2 months old. My dog went crazy...hair standing on end, growling, etc. I tried to bring them together, with my dog on a leash (the lab wouldn't hurt a fly) but it wasn't going to happen. He even got close enough to take a chunk of fur out of the lab's side. We basically had to keep them separated for the rest of the weekend.
Within the past couple weeks a few more things have happened and I need to do something soon.
We live in a subdivision and he has been socialized with the neighbors ever since he was 8 weeks old. We always just let him run around the yard when we were outside because he prefered staying close to us. Recently a neighbor walked outside with her cat in her arms and the dog went after it. Although he didn't hurt the cat or woman, she got some pretty bad scratches on her face from the cat (not happy). We have been keeping him on a leash since then to avoid that type of situation.
About a week later the same neighbor brought her dog outside at about the same time my daughter opened the front door. My dog immediately took advantage of the situation and attacked the dog. I managed to separate the dogs before they were injured, but the woman threatened to call the police. We informed her that we had been keeping him leashed, but he ran out of the house.
A few days later my daughter (12) and son (10) were trying to take something away from him and he growled and snapped at my daughter. I wasn't home at the time to give him the proper correction. I think that they still think of him as being a 2 month old puppy.
The latest incident happened when we were walking the dog and a neighborhood dog came after him. It was a very small dog that appeared to just want to play. I quickly restrained my dog with his prong collar and leash. Two young kids(about 12 yrs. old) came outside to try to get their dog back. In the process my dog got away from me and bit one of the kids on the back. Not a bad bite....more of a scrape, but he was upset. His parents understood. Their dog was unleashed and approached our dog.

My problem is that I don't want to have to keep my dog locked up all the time. Is this something that young dogs do to establish dominance? Will he outgrow this if socialized? I know obedience is key, but will he ever LIKE other dogs (animals)?

Michael, get professional help now,it sounds like not only did you miss the crucial period in his life for dog socializing (8 to 12 weeks), but also that the dog has had no obedience training either. If the dog is snapping at your kids at 8 months old, he doesn't know where his place is in the "pack", and that's a real potential problem. He may never "like" other animals, but he can be trained to ignore and be desensitized to them. Work on the obedience first, a dog that's focused on you and your commands will be easier to deal with when tackling the animal aggression. And I believe there has been another post here that covers the method of desensitizing dog aggression. I'll see if I or someone else can dig it up <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> .
Found it......
http://www.leerburg.com/ubb//ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=000062

Yes, I've read all the old posts.
I think I need to clarify a few things. He is currently going through obedience training and is doing very well. He listens to me and there is no doubt in his mind that I'm the pack leader(I have worked at that since day one). I have also convinced the rest of the family that they too need to obedience train him in order to establish their place in the pack. Hopefully that takes care of some of the problems when I'm not home.
Also, we have gone out of our way to socialize him with people since the day we got him. He will bark at people as they pass the house, but has always been excited to meet new people. I have recently started keeping him leashed because I'm not 100% sure how he will react to every person.
I have always limited contact with other dogs because of the detrimental effects of a young dog being dominated by a larger dog. I believe aggression to other dogs out of fear would be much harder to overcome than aggression to gain dominance.
We see other dogs every day during our walks at a distance. I try to keep his attention so he becomes desensitized to the presence of other animals.

So.....
My initial question was about his age. Is the transition from puppy to adult dog similar to the teen years in people? Do they rebel and try to test boundaries?
For example: When he snapped at my daughter the other day, he immediately ran to his bed (where I make him go when he has been bad). It appears that he knows if he is not supposed to do something, but can't resist. Another example is when he chases the cat. When I tell him to leave the cat alone, he will grab one of his toys and chew it in frustration.
Any ideas?

Hey Mike

This is what happened to me when you let a puppy get out of control. "ITS ALL YOUR FAULT", the dog is progressively getting worse because you are not disciplining the puppy when he acts out.

Like Laura stated seek professional help, because it seems you can't handle an 8 month old puppy.
You seem to have very understanding neighbors, some of those incident like your dog bitting the 12 yr. old were enough to have your dog taken and you fined. It doesn't matter if their dog approached yours (being that he wasn't a threat, that doesn't matter either) and the kid was retreiving his dog. What mattered is your dog bit the kid in the back no doubt. This was a bad bite how can a 8 month old puppy get away from a grown man holding his leash? You are a poor handler, you need training before that puppy gets taken from you. I think its too late to buy training tapes you need help right now, you could get them for future reference.

The neighbor that your dog attacked dog and cat had reason to call animal control and you be fined. Now I not saying that incidents so what similar have not happen to me, but they only happened once and they were nipped in the bid.

This problem if not resolved will cost you time and money. The puppy needs to trained and your family needs to be trained, if they want to live around this puppy. Good luck with that seemly strong willed puppy thats been mis-guided by "You".

I hope you are not like my sister and husband they introduced me to their GSD and was proud of the fact that he usually act very aggressive toward strangers, for no reason. He just stood watching me intently loking me straight in the eyes with a low growl. I was thinking what a nice strong willed dog, with poor owners this could be a problem. I asked if he was too much dog for them? They proudly said no. It was sad because this could have been a nice GSD. As predicted they eventually sent the dog to a shelter because he snapped at her husband. The dog showed no aggression toward my sister and the son, looked like he only was aggresive with men. They are usually good people but everybody ignorant in some area. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Get some help Mike!

Mike - My initial question was about his age. Is the transition from puppy to adult dog similar to the teen years in people? Do they rebel and try to test boundaries?


My reply - This is close to the age of rebellion, but usually its not as violent and aggressive as your puppy. How is his recall? When he takes out after these people and animals, can you call him back? Or do you have to go get him each time.
How did he get away from you to bite the kid? You didn't pull him away and place you hand close to his collar to shorten his range of motion?

He needs a Pro trainer to evaluate him he obviously needs some outlets. Showing frustration after obey your command, almost sounds like a temper tamptum. How often to walk him or play fetch with him?

I have to agree with all the posters - the dog is becoming dominant and has some aggression issues surfacing...

You say you are doing AKC obedience. Great - however - I do both schutzhund and AKC obedience. The current training styles - in both venues actually - is all positive and focus. And that is GREAT! A happy dog working well is our goal.

That being said - this goes beyond an obedience problem. This is a "life lesson" situation. The type of correction needed **at this point** given the behaviors and incidents that have occurred need more than simple AKC puppy obedience classes. Find a trainer, contact a local police K9 department for a reference for help if you have no access to a schutzhund club - and get help in CONTROL of this dog or look to place him elsewhere as unchecked, this behavior is not going to improve. More corrections than are common in the positive reinforcement and focus style training from the handler is needed if you want to keep this pup as a family member. JMHO!

Yes, all dogs go through a "teenage" phase at around eight months of age, but there's a big difference between an 8 month old pup who won't go into a down sharply, and one who bites and snaps. I have two eight month old pups in my house, do they test me? Yup, all the time, but neither of them would dare snap or nip at anyone for any reason, they know what the consequences would be if they did.

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Also, we have gone out of our way to socialize him with people

That does nothing to address the issue of dog aggression.

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I have always limited contact with other dogs because of the detrimental effects of a young dog being dominated by a larger dog.

You pick and choose what other dogs you will allow yours to be around! An older, well socialized, well trained dog is one of the greatest teachers to a pup,they don't care about dominating the dog, but they will teach the pup "dog manners". Even other dogs in the same age group are fine for socializing. Now you're reaping the rewards of not allowing your dog to be socialized as a younger pup. My original post stands, get help.

Mike wrote - He listens to me and there is no doubt in his mind that I'm the pack leader(I have worked at that since day one). I have also convinced the rest of the family that they too need to obedience train him in order to establish their place in the pack.

My reply - Since you are Alpha then whose at fault the puppy or YOU? It's your responcibilty to provide a safe and healthy environment for your family, neighborhood and puppy.

Your family needs handler traning class, to turn this fine mis-guided puppy around. Or as mentioned get ready to give him away, you have to protect your love ones and the puppy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I'm not sure how useful finger pointing really is here, since Michael does realize he has a problem and is here asking for help.

Michael,
I'm in agreement about getting professional help, but I'd like to add a couple of my own thoughts into the mix. What I'm seeing here is that you have more than one specific problem. Dog aggression, possessive aggression, and possibly an issue with some strangers, including children. These things are not always rooted in dominance. As a matter of fact, I think the dog aggression issue is more likely fear based due to undersocialization. At this point, it is too late to find some nice dogs for him to interact with. This is likely to backfire and just provide an opportunity for his aggressive behavior to be reinforced once again. He needs to be worked in a structured and controlled way, where he does not have the opportunity to aggress, but is completely under control around other dogs.

In the meantime, this dog should not be physically able to bolt out the door. If that means crating or leashing him every time the kids open the door, then do it. You have to get control and prevent any more aggressive episodes from occuring, whatever it takes.

Wow, 8 months old and this aggressive....IMO you have a dog with weak nerves, that is fear aggressive and is untrust worthy. This is something that you can not fix on your own,you need to find a VERY good trainer that works in behavioral modifications, and from what I have seen the AKC is good with beginner/puppy obedience training, but would not be able to help you with your situation. My suggestion also is to make sure you MUZZLE your dog when you are out for walks. You now have to do everything you can to cover your own butt so you don't get slapped with a lawsuit from this unwarrented behavior-you now know you have a biter-BE RESPONSIBLE. One other suggestion is do not leave him unattened with your children, they are surely going to be bit so take every precaution necessary-get a crate and keep him in there UNTIL you get home. Your problems are growing as week goes on, so if you don't heed the warnings you have been given, a serious bite is about to accure, it is now a matter of who his victum is going to be. My odds are your own children. Good luck.