Hi all, in the last few weeks I’ve realized that my GSD is a good ol classic schoolyard bully! You know the kind who are all bluster and confident on the outside but as soon as someone stands up to them they turn into chickens. For example I’ve had some close calls with him attacking small dogs or puppies but never a bigger dog. He gives the Rott down the street wide berth when walking by, he won’t even pick on little dogs who fight back e.g. Jack Russels etc.

He acts in a similar way with strangers, if they are afraid he will try bully. Especially if he’s around his pack e.g. me and the family. If we’re around he’s hyper alert, growling and barking if someone knocks on the door etc. If he’s home alone though it’s a different story, usually he won’t even bark if you enter the house and he’s alone. I’ve tested him on this once… Snuck around back and made some noise, sure enough he came to investigate hackles up and growling. I know this is bad, but just to test him I suddenly jumped out of my hiding spot and to my dismay rather than charge he turned around as if to run then realized it was me and did his usual antics to get a belly rub.

Its interesting because when my brother or I are around his behaviour seems much less hesitant and more confident. Pack mechanics I’m guessing. In terms of the bullying small dogs I think a big correction with the prong collar is in order, the trouble is finding a guinea pig. In terms of the “home alone” behaviour, do you guys think I should address this (if that’s even possible). Should I be working his confidence? Other than this test and the vacuum cleaner I haven’t seen him flee from many things. I’m a little bit worried that he has learned that flight is an appropriate response rather than holding his ground.

wow thats wierd. I have a bully also but for some wierd reason he usually ignores the timid or small dogs and is always trying to push around the bigger hyper dogs like rotts etc.