We adopted a 2yr old Female GSD about a year ago and from the beginning we knew we had our work cut out for us. She has one of the best tempermants I have ever seen and has been a great dog...so long as no one comes near her.

We were told that she has socialization issues and does not like strangers, however we found it is much more complicated than that. In addition, we later found out that she had been in the pound for almost a year!!! She is aggressive to both animals and people. We have worked with her quite a bit and now people can come over and she wont nip them, but she is still terribly afraid of strangers.

Our technique is to muzzle and e-collar her before people come over and give her the command of "place". She immediately goes to her place (favorite rug) and lays there quietly. No barking or growling when people come in, but her ears are back, mouth is shut, and she looks scared.

What's interesting is that if our friends sit down, she will greet them, give them her paw, and be very polite. She never bites directly, she will only bite or nip when you turn your back and walk away.

Some observations that I have made:
1) We have another GSD and he is definetly the dominant one. She follows him before she follows us.
2) When it's just her and I at the park, she will not leave my side. If I stand still, she sits. If I walk, she follows. When I take both dogs to the park, they stay by my side the whole time, and then I realease them with the "go play" command. Bear takes of running and she follows. When we are alone, I give the same command and she'll run about 15ft from me and then come back or wait to see what I'm going to do.
3) I really feel like she has no confidence and doesn't know how to be a dog or have fun.

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Mike,

We initally tried to train the two together but she only cares about what the male is doing. So we learned the hard way and yes, she is now being trained one on one. She knows all of her commands and has been through formal training and believe me, this girl gets a lot of love and calm time. She has gotten much better with that as well. For example, now it only takes her a few minutes to relax when we are at the park.

Great advice on the "watch me" command. I'm going to start working on that asap. I am very in tune with what she is doing and when I feel her tense up, I always do something to bring her attention to me. I've never given a command for it, so I'm sure that will make a big difference. As for the playing, you are right. I never considered that maybe she isn't a play type of dog. I will tell you that her favorite praise is a good pat on the head or chest.

I guess my biggest qestion is related to the "why" of nipping or biting. Is it just fear that provokes it? And does confidence beat that?

Kellie,

When you say nipping and biting when someone turns away, is it at their feet? hands? Like she is "herding" them away, or is it prey drive?

Sometimes I think it is a little frustration. The pressure of tolerating a stranger petting them is more then they can handle. They let it out when they can. I wouldnt have anyone pet her. Keep her around people, but in a place she can be relaxed.

 Quote: marcia blum

Kellie,

When you say nipping and biting when someone turns away, is it at their feet? hands? Like she is "herding" them away, or is it prey drive?

Normally she aims for your thigh or calf. I guess that is the optimum striking height for her. I don't think it's prey drive. It seems more like a herding bite. She mostly nips but she has full on bitten someone. When we first got her, we had my parents over for dinner and that's the first time we ever noticed her aggressiveness. What's weird is that from the moment we met her at the pound, walked her, and took her home, never once did she act aggressive towards us. That's why we didn't think her aggressiveness, as described by the adoption lady, was that bad.

When we brought Maggie home from 3 months in the kennel, I felt she was unpredictable around everyone who came over. What I did, on the advice of those very experienced on this forum, was to keep her in the crate at first and then bring her out on her leash/tether to meet people. I was able to control all aspects of the interaction and then I could put her away (back in the crate) with praise and treats. Granted, she was still a young pup and had never been mistreated--just isolated.

I felt I was in control and could monitor her stress. (and correct, if need be). She learned a lot.

Sooo, maybe after your dog meets your friends and is polite, then secure her so that she has had complete success. Don't let her in the situation where backs are turned on her. Anticipate.

Hope that makes sense