I was given a male puppy at the age of 4 months who was living with his parents and brothers at a house where the owners would visit twice a week only to feed them. I already had 3 female dogs 8, 7 and 1,5 years old and live in the country with a large fenced yard. Right from the beggining the puppy was very friendly with the other dogs but very sceptical with me or my husband. Unfortunately very soon after he arrived he was badly bitten around the neck by the other dogs as he ran after them one day they were fouriously running up and down barging at the garbage collector's car. It took a great effort from the vet, miself and the puppy to get well.I spent a lot of time with him every day playing and talking to him. He even learned to sit without the use of collar, and he would follow me and walk by me without a leash..
When his neck got better I put him on a collar.
He was never easy to touch or handle in any way and it was always difficult to put him in the car and take him to the vet for his treatment and shots. As he got older I had to change his collar as it was getting small. My mistake was that I did not put the new one first, before taking the old one out. Now he is with no collar for a month and I am unable to put him a new one as he never comes too close to me (he lets me touch him only at an arms distance and only for a little while). I tried to trick him with treats but he would go away the minute he saw the collar or the leash. I don't want to force myself on to him ( I don't think I would have any success anyway!). He is very good other wise, he follows me everywhere around the yard, never makes any damage to the plants or flowers and he learns at once not to do things that are not allowed (like chewing or bitting). He does not seem to be afraid of people, he won't go away, but will never let them touch him. I let him be with the other dogs during the day, and stays in a kennel during the night, just to make sure he won't get into trouble when I am not around. He is 7 months old. He gets on very well with the other dogs paying all the time and they have accepted him even though he is very annoying at times.
Please give me any suggestions as I will not be able to take him anywhere outside the house or even to the vet.

This poor puppy has had an awful start in life. He is more used to dogs than people! It will take you quite some time to win his trust.

I would suggest you abandon the collar issue for now and try this. It worked for a Great Dane with the same problem.

Get the puppy a toy that he really likes and that is his and his alone - the other dogs don't get to touch it.

Start off with some string around his neck with a short line attached. Only bring out the toy when he has the string around his neck. Over time and still using the string make the line longer and teach him to come to you for his toy.

Make him your best buddy and have time with him and him alone. It will take time and patience but what the heck he is a GSD - he will learn.
Once you have that bond - fitting a new collar should pose no problem.

The Gt. Dane I referred to was a quivering wreck if the owner tried to put a collar on her. She got so wound up her owner was afraid she would have a heart atack. The vet had to come to the house to see her!that is so expensive.

This certainly worked for her.

I hope this helps - some other members may have other ideas

I agree with Gwen. That is a good way to start. It is going to be very hard because he became sooo doggy.
I would add that if you are leaving him alone with the other dogs you will not have much progress with this problem. I dont think any.
I would suggest to keep him in a crate/kennel at anytime that he is not with you. I would remove him from the other dogs completely for now. You feed him, play with him, etc.....everything that is good in life comes from only you. Including any kind of attention or play.
If you want to work at it good luck.
Let us know what happens.
Pat

This dog's world is presently focused within his K-9 family and doesn't include humans. He has not accepted humans as trustworthy and that is your first step to conquer. He must learn to accept you and trust you as his one and only provider of food, attention and companionship.

Begin from square one. Separate him from the other dogs and crate him. Hand feed him and give him your undivided attention. Using only your free hand with treats in the other; begin by stroking him softly, speaking softly and each time he accepts your stroke; give him a treat. Keep the sessions very short. Don't rush him. Patience will pay off tenfold. Take him out to potty and run with only you..no other dogs. You must be the center of his universe.

Once he has accepted your hand; use a tape measure round his neck to determine the length of collar needed. I would suggest to use the adjustable types without buckels and have a quick release in case of accident. Take your time..slip in around and snap together...with treats in hand for reward always! Always make a big deal out of what a good boy he is!

It's been proven,"The New Knowledge of Dog Behaviour" by Pfenberger,(spelling) that dogs raised without human contact before 16 weeks, rarely adjust to people once this time period passes. As others have said, you must remove this dog from contact with the other dogs if you are to have any chance at bonding. Good luck!

Thank you very much for all your replies.
I have thought of keeping him away from the other dogs and do that during the day for some time. He is very anxious to be with them only in the morning when I take all the dogs out to a large fenced area next to my house and let them run and sniff around. I have done hand feeding and praise and soft talking and apraising and had worked well. He even brought his toys to me to play with me.(The two older dogs don't play with him too much).
His refusal of collar and hand touch from me became worse during the last month. The two older females will come to season shortly and are provoking him to play in a more "manlly" way, puting their tail in the side etc. The younger female has been spayed. He is getting into puberty and all this attention from their part confuses him, as when he overacts with the older dog he gets a growl and a mild bite. He preferes to be near me than with the other dogs when they are not playing. He even comes and sits next to me (not very close) when I am sitting down. He seems happy, but I am afraid that in his mind he has connected the leash and collar with the visits to the vet for treatment and shots. He turned hysterical there and took three people to hold him and a muzzle!
I will try to get his trust again by being with him more time alone without the other dogs. I will stop trying to put a collar as he is always looking at my hands suspiciously when I reach out for him. He is a good dog, kind and gentle, he has even started to guard the place, being the first to run and bark when there is a need. I have ordered the tape on Basic Obedience to give me more ideas on helping him. I just feel sorry for him because he cannot go out (not even in the car) to explore the world around him and get all these fascinating experience the country side can offer.