Hello everyone. This is my first post and I look forward to all responses. Over a year ago our 11 German Shorthair died and we had decided on purchasing a smaller dog which would work well for us in New York City. I found it difficult to find breeders in close proximity to the City and so while knowing better, went to a high end pet store where I decided on a Boston Terrier. When we returned to pick her up we asked to spend more time with her in an open play area. She was a little doll but had a high pitched bark we knew we could not handle in the apartment. Playing in a large space next to her was a lovely 3 month old female GSD. Over the years we had considered this breed and felt we were really big dog folks. I knew all of the pitfalls of buying this way and can only say I made an emotional decision. " Elsa" came home with us and adapted very well to her ex pen, crate and house training. Exercise was a big priority and a neighbor suggested a doggie day care up the street. It had large playrooms and small staff. She started going in the afternoons. At 5 months I noticed her manners were slipping and I found this site and read the information on dog parks etc. I decided to take her out and to hire our previous dog walker to take her out mid day. Several weeks later he told me of an incident which he dismissed as not important. He had stopped to visit with a friend and when the man turned to go Elsa nipped at his fingertips. About a month later our daughter and grandson were visiting. We kept the dog in a separate part of the house until my husband brought her out to the living room on a leash. She was laying down at his feet between him and a coffee table. My very hesitant daughter wanted to pass by and when she did, the dog nipped at her ankles. I did not see it but was very concerned. I made an appointment with a dog trainer who works in the Connecticut area with GSD. We took the dog to him for a short consultation. She was fine with him but his best guess was a fear biting situation.
This summer I came for a long visit to MN. I planned on spending a lot of time with the dog and trying to gain some insight into her reactions. We found we could not have her in our rental apartment so she joined another family member on a small farm. I spent time with her but was not in charge of her daily care. All seemed to be going well, she played well with their dog, accepted them comfortably. Last week she was tied on a trolly cable when a friend of theirs came to work in the garden. He had interacted with the dog in the past and felt comfortable with her. She was barking at him, he continued to approach her with his hand out stretched. My daughter heard the dog, called out for him to just stop and go around. Elsa then nipped at his thigh. Thankfully no broken skin nor real damage to the fellow. I arrived soon afterward, was very upset. Many years ago I was involved in a lawsuit involving a horse that I owned. The suit was settled in my favor, and I was not negligent but it was the worst experience of my life. You never want to feel responsible for someone getting hurt and the entire experience is something no one wants to go through. I don't know if the dog has weak nerves, she does not act shy. She is somewhat aloof, but enjoys people. I live in a very demanding environment as the city is crowded with lots of distractions. She has never been dog aggressive so am not dealing with that. I don' t know exactly what is going on nor how to approach desensitizing if that is the issue. I was ready to put the dog down, our of fear that what ever is going on is not something to manage. She is 10 months old and I have gone through a pack leadership program with her. She responds well to me and is very accepting to obedience. She has no problems with toys, or food protection.
I welcome any ideas. I know how difficult it is to get a true picture from a written account.

double-post .... see http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=32613#365771