I am trying to determine if we have a dominant, agressive, fearful or combination of the above dog in order to determine the best course of action for training. We have a trainer coming out Monday to start some private training. I also have the basic obediance DVD and have started some training on my own.

We have an 18 month old neutered male GSD from a rescue. We have had him for about 2 weeks. The rescue thinks he had been abused because he shys away a bit if you act mad. He has started barking at people who come to the house. i.e. grandma, mom etc. There "might" be some growling, but mostly barking.

His tail is wagging but low and if we (on a leash) let him approach the people, he will end up licking them, kind of walk away, bark a couple of times etc. As I read the Q&A, it's hard to tell whether or not the "barking" constitutes "aggression" if he licks them and acts wary, but happy.

I understand this behavior is unacceptable and have NO problems putting him in his place, but I want to be sure the correct correction is used in my case.

He has never barked, lunged etc at me, my wife or our two small children. He loves to play ball and seems otherwise happy.

Is this enough information to tell what type of behavior this is?

Sounds to me like he doesn't have the strongest nerve out there, he is nervous, hence making him somewhat defensive.

The vast majority of rescue people are pretty clueless when it comes down to dogs and their behavior. Any dog with any lack of nerve/confidence is always labelled as "abused", when most of the time it is just who the dog is (ie:genetic).

 Quote:

His tail is wagging but low and if we (on a leash) let him approach the people, he will end up licking them, kind of walk away, bark a couple of times etc.

How I interrpert this: The dog is nervous meeting a person, but desperately wants affection (Have you seen a dog frustrated in its attempt to get a reward? My dog will try to get it, back up and bark at it, then try again.) I assume this is the type of barking you are describing.

I would have people come to the door often, tossing pieces of hot dog or other treat. When the dog learns that only good things happen when it meets different people, and when you have worked through some basic motivational obedience, you should have good results socializing the dog.

If it is the case that the dog has been abused, you will notice "triggers": things, situations, people, body languages that set off a fear response in the dog. If a trigger cannot be avoided, the dog should be desensitized gently.

If what you are describing is what I am picturing as I'm reading your post, it sounds very hopeful.

Thank you for the replies. Ed has mentioned in many of the Q&A's, the "abused" tag is most likely overused. I, of course, have no idea, but thought it pertinent to add that information. My main concern is that I don't have a timebomb that can't be diffused with training.

I have heard from another person that he seems "dominant but situation fearful". Dominant, I don't know. Situation fearful? Sounds about right.

I do not think his actions are what Anne described (if it's what I'm picturing). I can picture the pouncing, barking, excited way a dog would do what she posted. This is more "aggressive" sounding and looking than that, but then will result in licking. He seems like he's saying, "I don't know you, so you better watch out..... unless you want me to lick you."

He is at work with me today and while on lead, barked at some of my employees and then went up to snif them and lick them. One employee was bent down and Mikko (the dog) was licking him. Then he started a low growl for seemingly no reason. I grabbed his snout and said, "no!".

In one case, he pulled very hard. It was then that I realized "I" may have been causing that particular behavior in that instance. I may have been holding some tension on the lead... lesson learned.

Also, for anyone reading this who has been exposed to Ed's sometimes abrupt way of posting, you owe it to yourself to pick up one of Ed's DVD's. I think you will be very surprised at how he handles the dogs. I think you will come out with a very different view of this man as I did.

Thanks again for the replies.

 Quote:

I have heard from another person that he seems "dominant but situation fearful".

 Quote:

He is at work with me today and while on lead, barked at some of my employees and then went up to snif them and lick them. One employee was bent down and Mikko (the dog) was licking him. Then he started a low growl for seemingly no reason. I grabbed his snout and said, "no!".

After reading this update, I'll lean towards what was said in the first quote. If I was a dog with dominance issues, and a stranger leaned over me, I'd growl too! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It sounds like a mix fear/weak nerves and dominance.

I amend my advice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Start with groundwork - and keep him out of trouble until he's secure with his position in the "pack". If he must go to work, crate him and keep your coworkers away!

BTW - I forgot to mention that my dog is far from normal. Not at all the bouncy you're thinking of in that situation - about what you described

I, too, have a dog that doesn't like strangers and agree with Anne that it is up to you to "keep him out of trouble". You have to control all situations that your dog is in and don't take any chances. At 18 months a bite could be bad, even if it is only a nip. If you have friends that are "dog people" let them give treats but not try to pet him. Your best bet is to ask folks to ignore him once they meet and give the treat. For some reason this is hard for people to do.....then they act suspious and this makes the dog even more suspious. Getting him to be neutral to your co-workers would be my goal not making friends with them. Reliable basic obedience is a must with this type of dog.

Don't know where you live but I can give you the name of a trainer that does a really good job with this type of dog.

Best of luck,
Debbie

Thanks.

Debbie,

I'm in San Diego. If you know anyone, I'd appreciate the referral. We have Jake Macken (in case you know him) coming out Monday.

My first american shepherd....wasnt aggressive nor was she dominant, loved everyone and got along with every animal expect the illinois power guy...and she didnt have a problem with him either till that raining day when he had to hook up the electric to one of my homes and the meter box wasnt mark with the address on it he start to whine and moan and cuss in a every loud voice then he started in on me and of course i wasnt going to stand there and take it so we began a very loud arguement with alot of swearing and cussing at each other, the dog was inside butI knew she could hear us cause she was barking up a storm...well there was two of us yelling in the rain like a couple of idiots...ever since that day when ever the power guy would drive his truck in the park that dog knew it and would start to bark and growl...one day he came up to me while i was outside with her and she started a low growl...he wasnt afraid of her cause he has GSD's....he extended his hand and she was growling and licking him with her fur up and tail wagging....never seen anything like it before...and wouldnt do it to anybody else..never bite him but we never yelled at each other since that raining day either..and everytime he would come over she would do the same thing this when on for years...i guessing it was probably aggression/ dominance and fear towards him....but what do i know i am not an expert... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Well Mike....the trainers that I can absolutely, without reservation recommend are unfortunately(for you) on the east coast.

I will add that I think it takes a trainer with a special touch and feel for dogs with temperaments that are a little extreme. Especially, when aggression is fear based. These types of dogs can be a pain in the butt to deal with and sometimes require you to "think outside the box". Not all trainers want to take the time to do this.

Also need to add that the basic obedience needs to be reliable under HIGH DISTRACTION. Again, as I am sure you know, having total control of your dog around strangers is the most important aspect of owning a dog like this.

Feel free to PM me if you want.

Regards,
Debbie

Mike,
This is just my opinion, but until a professional dog trainer with solid credentials and experience with aggressive dogs takes a look at your boy, I'd keep him seperated from children.
Better safe than sorry.