I Need HELP with Gunther(he thinks he owns me) - Page 1

Hi all,
Gunther is a GSD who is about  16 mo old. Since we acquired him (at 5 mo), he has been a wonderful guy (not our first GSD), but overly attached to me. We have worked on that issue thanks to advice from this forum, but recently developed a new issue we believe is related to his attachment to me. He has now developed a nice bond with my son (12) and my husband, but is still pretty much "mama's boy".  Yesterday my son's friend cam over to play. He has been around many dogs, and has been to our house a few times so Gunther had seen/met him but not had much to do with him. For some reason, yesterday, Gunther was fine although very alert when JJ came in the gate. All was good until JJ started to walk towards me to hug me, and Gunther went into full growl, bark mode, placing himself directly between JJ and me. He did, however, stop and come to me when I ordered him to. A little later, my son and JJ went outside to our deck to play. Gunther was fine. I went outside to get the boys to come in for dinner, Gunther was fine. JJ came off the deck toward the house, Gunther was fine. Then, JJ turned toward me just walking and Gunther had the same reaction. Bark, growl, place himself between us. The final time, after we had eaten, we were getting ready to take the boys skating. Gunter was fine, laying at my feet. I got up from the sofa, called out to JJ to get his shoes on, when he turned Gunter was ok until JJ made a step toward me, and the dog went off again. This was three times in one day, and only when JJ turned and walked toaward me, no one else. Gunther did not bite or even nip, he did however make it very clear that JJ was close enough. Thankfully JJ has dogs and understood to simply stop moving and stay calm. What in the world is going on and what is the best way to change this possessive behavior without losing the spirit of my dog or endangering anyone? HELP I love Gunther but cannot have this going on.

You have to establish yourself as the boss of that dog. Clearly Gunther decided JJ was a threat to you, and this is NOT acceptable. HE does not decide who gets to approach you and who doesn't!

Did you reprimand Gunther? He should have been severely reprimanded, and put away in his kennel!  if you don't nip this in the bud, Gunther may wind up attacking anyone he thinks looks a little suspicious!

I did reprimand him, however, I had no place at that moment to segregate him. Should I get an indoor kennel for that purpose? Also, are there signs or signals I can look for that will tell me he is getting ready to "defend"? I love this dog, but I am not willing to see anyone get hurt because of him, especially a kid. I also have 2 Great Danes, and neither of them behave this way. Thank you SO much, I really need help as he is my heart and I cannot stand the idea that he would hurt someone.

Til you solve this problem, I would put Gunther away when you get company. This sounds like an accident about to happen.

It could be a rank issue based on jealousy.  I have several females and they fight (sometimes literally) for my attention.  Obviously you must keep order and enforce discipline.  The solution may be to have your son work Gunther in obedience to reinforce the fact that your son is dominant over Gunther.  Dominance issues with young dogs are similar to dominance issues with teenagers so the solution is to teach the dog that despite raging hormones and adult body size they are still no match for the adults.

@Blitzen  Thanks for the advice, I will do whatever it takes to save him and anyone else from a tragedy that could have been prevented. Do you think another obedience course would help? Something more advanced? He has had basic, but even before that, he would listen to me but not my husband or my son. It took a couple of months to get him to obey either of them, although now he is fine with them, ,just not "their dog"  so to speak. He sleeps in my room at the side of my bed. Would it be ok to put him in there with a gate keeping him in as a "putting him away" space?

@Bubbabooboo  Thanks   I will definatly try that

What Bubba said.

find a good Schutzhund club or IPO trainer and take lessons. they (he or she) will understand what you're dealing with and train you to fix your dog.

petsmart trainers and their ilk have no idea how to fix such an issue.

I wouldn't rely on a baby gate keeping the dog away from guests; a crate would be more reliable.