I'm not really sure where to post this because it encompasses both people agression & animal aggression. Most of you who have been around the board for awhile are somewhat familiar with my male GSD. He is now 19 months old, and after spending an entire year working to fix the vaccination problem, he's finally to the point where I need to do some training with him.

Shadow is now to the point that he is not barking, growling & trying to kill everyone he comes in contact with. The test came yesterday, when I took him to the vet. He was muzzled, but the place was packed full, and he walked straight through the crowd without so much as growling. He even let the woman standing next to us pet him on the head. We were doing great until a dog looked at him. I guess he didn't like it, and up went his hair and he starting barking, growling & acting completely crazy. I corrected him and he calmed down, but he continued to glare at this particular dog.

He will occasionally still growl at people he sees outside, although not all the time like he used to. He is still unpredictable. You have to be watching very carefully to catch him before he flips out, although the incidences are now few and far between unlike before when it was a problem every time he saw anyone. Animals more often than not are still a big problem.

My question is, where do we go from here? He is no longer as sick as he had been, and I believe he is in a good enough state both physically and mentally that I can jump back in here and start training him again. The problem that I have is when he does have one of these episodes, he doesn't feel the prong even if you correct him hard enough to flip him over backwards. It's like he doesn't feel, hear or see anything other than what he's going crazy over.

Anyone else ever had a similar type situation? I'd appreciate any advice from you dog trainers out there. Do I now try to find a good dog trainer and go from there, or should I change my methods and do it myself? We've come a very long way, and I'm still hoping that we can get him to a point where I can at least take him out in public without him acting like an idiot.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Nobody wants to take a crack at this?

I'm asking because I'm going to be moving back in with my parents temporarily. My mom is terrified of the dog, and they've only met once. She is the first person he ever growled at. They also have a cat and an older dog, so bringing him into this situation is going to be interesting at best. I wouldn't even consider doing it, but my lying, cheating SOB of a husband is finally moving out, and he's screwed me over to the point that I can't even support myself right now. So, this is pretty much the only option I have available to me until I can get back on my feet.

I can use whatever help and advice I can get. And no, I won't get rid of the dog! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Tough ass situation. I don't know what to tell you. what do you think the source of the dog's aggressive behavior is? I get the bad nerve thing, but is it some type of health/pain problem or what? Poor socialization due to early health problems?

I hate to say it, but it is very difficult to change this kind of dog by yourself. I think you should get some help. Hope it doesn't cost too much. . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Melissa - sorry to hear of your troubles,sounds like you have a lot on your plate at the moment.
I think that for the sake of the nerves of your Mums older dog and cat you should consider an
outdoor kennel run for at least some of the time.
I realize you might be kind of short in the cash department now but you can build a pretty bomb-proof kennel yourself pretty inexpensively. I can E-mail you the pattern for one that is built in panels and can be moved or taken down easily if you need it. Sounds like maybe your home enviroment has been pretty highly charged and tense lately so maybe getting him into calmer surroundings and once he gets into a nice stable routine he will improve in the nerves department.
I admire your faith in your dog and wish you Good Luck in your move and hope things will get better for you soon.

VanCamp, we socialized him very well when he was younger, around people, young children and dogs. We used to take him every where we could with us. Once he was vaccinated, he began having all kinds of health problems. When we began to treat the health problems (with steroids and antibiotics), the agression began and got worse and worse from there. I believe that it is very much vaccine/medication related, with a little bit of nerve problem thrown in to make things worse. I feel that he probably doesn't have the best genetics, but he was doing just fine until he got sick.

Tiggy, I'm not sure they're going to let me build anything in their yard, but if you could send me the plans that would be great. My email address is MMSpindler@hotmail.com. He has a huge crate that he will be spending a lot of time in for awhile. He will also be muzzled while I try to get him used to my parents and the animals. He's shown such dramatic improvement that I'm sure he will be fine after awhile, it's just going to be really tough initially. My vet also said that we may have an incredible breakthrough once my husband is gone. Apparently, it happens that way sometimes if there's a lot of stress and tension. Maybe he's really a nice, friendly dog and my husband is making him crazy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Anyone know of any good/relatively affordable dog trainers in the MD/PA area who specialize in these types of problems??

Melissa,
We think you should be making those biting decisions, not fido.
Maybe fido doesn't know this.
LOL

I have been making the biting decisions. He's a really big dog, but if he even so much as attempts to put his teeth on someone, I'm gonna put my foot so far up his ass that he'll need a dentist to get it out. I have no fear of this dog at all, and he knows it. We have a great bond, but he knows that if he screws around, he has to answer to me, and he doesn't like that. He respects me much more than he does my husband...what a surprise <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I have a few dogs every week on my board with these same problems. The Vets send all the crazy ones to me. No offence.

So lets start with the basics. And sorry if these questions make you repeat yourself.

What is the purpose for this dog? Is it just a pet, is it a working dog? Any Sport intentions?

Also tell me a little more details of the equipment you are using. Leash, long line, collars, Please. Thanks KOJAK

Also, are you physically challenged in anyway?

He is now a pet and will live out his life that way. I had purchased him with the hopes of maybe getting started in Schutzhund with him, but I know by his temperment that that will never happen. I recognize that, and it isn't a problem.

When I work with him, and even when I walk him, I use a 6 foot leather leash and a prong collar. He doesn't even notice a choke collar. Even with the prong, when he's in the middle of one of these "episodes", he doesn't feel it. You can pop him so hard his head should fly off, or flip him over, and he doesn't even lose his focus on what he's locked in on...very strange.

And no, I'm not physically challenged.

Thank you for the feed back.

I know this sounds basic but when and where do these "episodes" happen?

And while the episode is happening, have you had a chance to notice what your hands are doing? For example: just prior to the episode where are your hands and how is the leash being held. while you are giving the corrections what position are your hands and how are you holding it? Again, I know this is basic but bare with me Since I can't see you.

Now when you are out on these walks, How long are the walks and where are you going? Is it always the same place is it always the same distractions?

What "commands" do you and your dog "know".

Last question, how do you down your dog?
Thanks KOJAK