"My criteria is, "Injury Free", so I take steps at all times to ensure my pup can't get into trouble. "



This should become the number one factor behind all of the O.P.'s actions. The owner's level of experience, the ability to read the dog, etc. -- these lose their overriding importance when managing the dog and the dog's environment are top priority (even at this age, since it is obviously still required; a professional will help get them get this dog to where he should be at 9 months).

I would be looking for training help, as mentioned, and meanwhile establishing each of the suggestions about NILIF, environment-management, and toy- and food-management:

"I would be looking for a trainer .... and in the meantime I would be reading on the LB site about pack structure and I would practice NILIF in every aspect of the dog's life."

"... remove the valuable items when you're not directly engaged with your dog. No biggie, and nothing to fight about. Also, get her off the couch. "

"In any case, I would step up obedience and house manners training."

And get the dog's food out of the traffic area; feed her, leave her alone to eat, and then remove the dish. JMO!

Ronald, kudos for posting!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Also, was the structured exercise question ever addressed?

Connie, if a person can't correct a 8 moonth old puppy they don't need one. i worry about your comment he would loose some air at my hands. He most likely would have ate you. i only posted the short story.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Also, was the structured exercise question ever addressed?

Sure would be nice to hear a few more details from the OP about this pup's daily schedule, as well as more particulars re the incident.

 Quote: Ronald Starr

it was her food dish in front of him Like I said we can take her dish away anytime with no issue when this happen she was not going for any toy or her food it was like a bite by if that makes any sense. no growling or barking her tails was normal back of neck was not raised as far as I can remember no he was not touching anything of hers and he has sat down there before with no issue other than Piper wanting attention.

So, no growling, no hackling.

And your son was sitting on the floor. Sounds like obnoxious 9 month old mouthy pup behavior. Is she a mouthy pup?

Do you keep a drag line on her when she's in the house?

I am with John on this one. An 8 months old GSD should know enough not to bite/snap/growl at family members.

The reason management and keeping a puppy out of trouble is such an important issue is because it would be unfair to correct a puppy before they got a chance to learn their OB and the rules.

At 8 months the rules should have been established and the pup should know better. At this age the pup could do some serious damage if the unruly behavior is not stopped. The older the pup gets the harder will it be to stop it.

Since it seems that the pup hasn't been taught the rules at the appropriate age with rewards now the corrections will be necessary.

The best way to get this done in the least painful manner within a shortest period of time would be to find a good trainer and have some private sessions.

We say this here every now and then, and it may be time to say it again. (No, this is not addressed to Ana just because it follows her post. It's general ... just general.)

Please ... regardless of intentions ... if you do not have solid experience with aggression issues with pets, PLEASE don't post on aggression threads unless it's a question or a non-advice comment, or unless it starts with a clear disclaimer about lack of experience. Thanks!

Also, if you have an issue with a mod's advice on an aggression thread, please take it to PMs (if you are not comfortable complaining to me about my own posts, PM Will or email Ed).

Not meant at all to be confrontational -- everyone who gives their time and energy to post here does so out of generosity and caring for dogs.

We know that everyone posting means only the best.

But it's not just extensive experience with aggression issues that's needed to post effectively to these threads on a public board (remember how many people are reading these threads in addition to the O.P.?), but it's experience with keeping suggestions as safe as possible for the widest range of readers.

As Ana said, "find a good trainer and have some private sessions." I think the advice to get experienced help was given several times.

""I would be looking for a trainer .... and in the meantime I would be reading on the LB site about pack structure and I would practice NILIF in every aspect of the dog's life."

"... remove the valuable items when you're not directly engaged with your dog. Also, get her off the couch. "

"Step up obedience and house manners training."

And get the dog's food out of the traffic area; feed her, leave her alone to eat, and then remove the dish.


eta
And Lynne, the drag line -- good catch.

 Quote: jenny arntzen

I am an inexperienced dog handler growing up with an big, sharp adolescent pup. I assume he might bite (nip), nose bump, jump up, paw, etc. in any situation where it is possible that he might do so. My criteria is, "Injury Free", so I take steps at all times to ensure my pup can't get into trouble. I trust my dog to be an adolescent, with low thresholds for self control and high herding, prey, and guarding drives. Since I adopted this new attitude, we have had many fewer, and much less risky incidents of harm. At the same time, the pup is actually developing better recall, Leave It, This Way, Uh Uh (verbal corrective), Watch, Down, Sit, Wait, etc. skills.

What I had to get through my head was that he was not going to be the arbiter of 'the next thing to do', I was. When he gets in trouble, I say to myself, "handler error" and get him back into a safe situation.

I guess what I am saying is, if I expect 'out of control', I can prepare for it and reduce the possibility of that situation arising.

NICE!! Hard work pays off and you should be very proud of your progress.

As for the OP do all possible to keep everyone safe until you have found a trainer who can work with you and your pup to evaluate the situation.

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

Sure would be nice to hear a few more details from the OP about this pup's daily schedule ...

Me too.

I have 35 years dealing with protection dogs/police dogs, 25 years dept of corrections k9 unit 15 + as head trainer i have trained with other dept's in problem solving a lot of issues i have corrected aggression problems i dont want to cause problems, but solving this problem is a simple. for me under 15 minutes.