I think you need to consider a professional trainer. I know this is your first shepherd and appreciate that you have sought out advise, but if dominant/aggressive dog is not something you have hands on experience with, as well as been successful at working with, it is a mistake to try to "paint by numbers", as it were.

 Quote: susan tuck

I think you need to consider a professional trainer. I know this is your first shepherd and appreciate that you have sought out advise, but if dominant/aggressive dog is not something you have hands on experience with, as well as been successful at working with, it is a mistake to try to "paint by numbers", as it were.

This is great advise. I generally try to stay away from giving advice on aggression because it's very very difficult to determine the scope of the problem via an internet post. Sometimes people can get hurt if they attempt corrections that are out of their area of experience.

If you feel that things are not improving or are getting worse, you should absolutely get some "in person" professional assistance. I'm sure that someone on this board could refer you to someone, if you choose to look into that.

Thanks for the posts. This is not a problem that I feel that I cannot handle. I have come across aggressive dogs in the past and don’t feel out of my depth yet with this issue that I see in my dog, and am working hard to fix with the GOOD advice I get from the board and friends of mine who have been in similar situations.

I don’t feel the scope of the problem is as bad as some of the posters are making out but agreed it is something that I’m sure to fix before it does escalate into a real problem to which if it did I would be sure to seek face to face assistance.

Ricky, one thing I just noticed from your original post on this thread (if I understood correctly, that you were sitting on the floor by your dog?) -- That's something I would never do with this animal, because you getting down on his lower level like that helps him imagine he's your equal (and then he tries to establish that you are his subordinate)...

In my house, this dog would be living by Groundwork Rules 24/7.

Candi,

Your right and this is something that I read about on another post today and is something that I've stop doing, when the dog is in the room with me. When I think about the times he has done it I'm always sat on the floor keeping warm in front of the fire, or playing video games (at his level).

It's like piecing a jigsaw together.

24/7 groundwork rules is in action.

Hi Ricky,
You should get some help in person from a professional. it could be as simple as the way you live with your dog or something more complicated, who knows? I think a lot of people just pass on info they heard or read, not having ever been around a truly dominant animal, much less owned one and had to learn how to handle it and live for years with it. There's no good reason not to get educated from an experienced trainer, to possibly make the the next 10 - 12 yrs fun, instead of a pain in the a$$, just another opinion of course,

AL

Yes, I think Al (once again) hit the nail on the head. Someone with "fresh eyes" may be able to see something you have missed & with just a few suggestions, may solve this problem.

Hey Rick, I have an aggressive chow and had allot of problems in the beginning. People will say "Know your dog" and that's hard but over time it ocmes to you. We've had to learn to distract our dog before approaching him. I also never treat him squishy. I ALWAYS speak to him with an authoritative voice. Not yelling but more like directing than anything. Follow all ground work etc. I used the dominant dog collar and got bit. When I first started using it Bruno would stop growling when air was removed, then continue when released. I would hold him longer and he would start to fight, swinging at me with his paws and biting every chance he got. Maybe my arms are to short, don't know. This collar never worked for me. I purchased a Dogtra 1700 NCP and started using it for training off leash. From the DD video I picked up a bit on using the collar for aggression. I started using it very cautiously and gradually and it worked for my dog, you just can't be right next to or over him. I give him a full stim nick and that usually does the trick. If not, a 3-5 second stim at full power but I make sure I have some distance. The key to using it is he has to wear the collar often so he doesn't only listen when he's wearing it. Being a chow I have to keep a small spot shaved. Since it's a single spot I have to remove it often so he doesn't get sores.

I think when dealing with these dogs, getting bit is inevitable as we are not professionals but are trying to keep our pets from the vets needle. Many people on several forumns ridiculed me for trying to keep him but I was determined and I think it paid off. He's a beautiful dog and protects the yard.

Now, Bruno very seldom shows any aggression. Oh yeah, we also got another dog and moved to a huge yard (2.5 acres). They play all day long and we take them out as often as possible. He is very seldom aggressive but when he is, we make him go to his room but we leave him alone.

Good luck man.

DZ

Hi Eric,

I remember when you posted those comments/problems with your dog's aggression.

Nice to hear the update and that things are working out !!

Judy

I appreciate your comments. I haven't been on in awhile as we have moved from Maryland and no longer have reliable internet access. I love this site. My wife's father was ill so I retired from the military, my wife quit her job in Md and found one in MI. My kids changed schools, we sold our house and bought a new one. All this so we could take care of her dad in his last days. What was supposed to be about 2 months turned into 5 months but he finally passed last Friday. It was good to be here for him in the end and it brought us home. Anyway, I would like to get back into the site, I have allot to offer in an area where so many people think it better to shy away from and condem the dog.

DZ