I have a nearly 6 month old GSD. I've been doing some really basic training with him including weekly schutzhund training with a local group. I crate him when I'm not home and when I can't keep an eye on him. The past couple of weeks he has gotten really aggressive about wanting to play when we're in the house. He will come up to me with one of his toys and give me his "I'm a big dog " bark. I'm not sure if this is a sign of aggression or what and I'm not sure how to handle it. Until yesterday I would make him sit or down and then play with him but yesterday I just crated him when he did it. Do I need to worry about this etc?

My solution would be to keep all toys out of reach until you are ready to play. They all belong to you, your control over them is one of the things that will help keep you pack leader. If he gets hyper take him for a short run, when you are ready.

I structure my dogs play time and don't let them play outside of that time unless it is for reward purposes. Never in the house, not even chew toys. If you have people over make sure they follow your rules. This helps keep the dog calm in your house.

This is my approach, others may have better suggestions.

Maybe he's just trying to tell you; "throw the darn thing". If he becomes aggressive when you go to pick it up, then it becomes time to "explain" that is not how the game is played.

DFrost

Simon

Sounds he's got enough drive to play lol. Just from the info given my bet's on that all he wants is to initiate or continue the game. He's a pup and I'm surprised your Sch club didn't suggest to direct that drive and intensity into something productive which you'll need down the road in Sch. ie., revieres, which you can imprint on a toy yourself and then teach the out, and back to a 'bark' for another tug...Don't correct or punish him for this behavior when you could use it and apply it toward your training.

Put all the toys away...YOU decide and initiate play (that's the first lesson) on a daily basis. Use jute rolls or a hand tug for those 'special plays'. You'll need them in Sch. Start directing all that energy and enthusiasm into something more productive for both of you. However, should he growl and show possession or 'seriously' guarding if you pick something off the floor, then that's another issue that has to be explained to him.

But right now just sounds like he just wants to play and he's being a typical impatient puppy...the only problem is that HE picks the game, the object, and the time <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> and it should be the other way around. A bit more 'structure' wouldn't hurt him. The play is done only with YOU and when YOU decide and the object YOU choose, AND it ends when YOU choose. However, don't play any game until the dog is tired or no longer interested. 3-4 min of this type of play a couple times a day is enough for now. Another 2-3 min of fun retrieving etc...Throw in a 'speak' command when he barks and reward with the tug or roll....You can do all sorts of wonderful things which support your Sch training...but don't punish his enthusiasm or you could very lose the drive that he has.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

JMO

Thanks everyone. I think he just wants to play too. It's just that he's my first working GSD and he's higher drive than I'm used to. Just want to do everything right.