I Need HELP with Gunther(he thinks he owns me) - Page 2

You didnt mention what YOU did to reprimand him. Because obviously what you did wasn't strong enough since he thought he could do it twice more. You can look to outside sources to fix your issues but it sounds like (sorry to say this) it might be you and how you come across to your dog. Without fixing that, it isn't going to matter where you take your dog for class.

Had this been me, after the initial contact of growling, I would have put on a prong collar and attached a leash and if he would have done it again, he would have been severely reprimanded. Someone on the board once said, if the dog does it again after the initial contact, then you didnt get through. The fact that the dog did it twice more makes me suspect you.

I am not one to say that I have a heavy hand. I prefer a dog that isn't soft either. Something more in the middle. But I have no problem getting on a dog that thinks they somehow are above ANYONE ELSE in the family. I know this was a neighbor kid but maybe you set the dog up to fail because you mentioned that the dog had met the child before. Don't use that as a marker to how the dog will react in the future. Each time is new until you are absolutely sure that you can trust the dog. My son's friend who is 17 and basically lives at my house I dont worry about him but any other kid who shows up, if the dogs have ever growled at him or her or they are new to my house, then I watch (there is one that this has happened to) I am ever vigilent in keeping the peace and I think with that thought process, can keep most problems at bay.

Barb

@Barb  Thank you so much. You could very well be right about me being the problem. Perhaps I have babied himor something,  but I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep humans safe and my dog out of trouble. I do have a prong collar and am willing to use it. One person sent me a PM that suggested I never let him be off leash (with prong) when someone comes, that way I can be in a position to reprimand him immediately with more than my voice. I am just thankful that he listened to me, but you are right (as are the other posters here) that him doing it twice more means I am most likely the issue here. Please, advise if you can through a message board. I will begin looking for a trainer in my area. I am located approx 26 miles north of New Orleans if anyone has any suggestions

Some people think Kohler is outdated, but there's one thing he got right: one swift, hard correction is worth a hundred half-hearted nagging corrections.

And if the dog repeats the behaviour, you obviously did not get through to him.

Agree with sunsilvers last post, He does it because he knows he can.

Hank

Hi Hank, how have  you been?

How does that saying go - give him a correction that is so swift and convincing that he will never want to do the same thing ever again?

Texasdeb, everyone makes mistakes with dogs, don't beat yourself up anymore. Keep a private dialog going with a poster like Desert Dog, a pro trainer, and you will get the job done the right way. Good luck.

Blitzen makes a very good point.  When it comes to dog aggression be very very careful of the advice that you get here.  In the past there has been some very bad and potentially dangerous advice doled out here dealing with aggressive dogs.  There are people who thought they were helping but didn't have a clue.  You need to address this issue and fast.  You need to set some new rules for this dog and never allow any inappropriate aggression again.  This could get worse before it gets better if you don't step up and take charge.  Growling leads to biting, it's very simple.  Find some one to help that really understands and has experience dealing with and correcting aggression in dogs. 

Best of luck

Growling leads to growling .. dogs growl all the time so before you go medieval on your dog make sure he knows what he is getting disciplined for.  Do obedience with him and have your son do obedience with him in your presence and take action if he disobeys or shows aggression toward your son.  Some of the bad advice on this board is coming from those pretending to know it all and no one knows your dog and what your dog is thinking better than you.  If you think he intends to harm your son or shows aggression use appropriate force but remember that once you go medieval on an 18 month old dog your relationship with him will change forever.  I wouldn't beat a teenager for mouthing off to me and that is what your dog is .. still a juvenile.  If you spend time around dogs and I have several GSD you know that they growl all the time and it is not a killing offense when they do it to one another.  A lot of growling between dogs has to do with possession and territory.  They growl when another dog wants their ball, wants their food, or invades their territory.  A growl is a warning not an attack, usually a growl is a sign of displeasure.  There are many different types of growls some more serious than others based on body language and situation.  I have a tough as nails 4 year old male who growls if I pick a tick off his ear.  Is he threatening my life .. no .. he is saying I don't like that .. he is complaining.  I pay attention to dog growls but I don't let myself be panicked into doing stupid and harmful things because some locked in the 1970's trainers think hanging your dog with his feet off the ground by a prong collar is the solution to every discipline problem.  You know your dog's heart and head and don't let anyone scare you into doing more than is necessary to fix the problem.  Your boy at 18 months is still a long way from mental maturity.  Have your husband and son do obedience with him and make sure he knows his social rank is below theirs.

Yes, growling at your son's friends is completely acceptable.  There is nothing to be concerned about.  Oh brother.      
 

Bubba, go back and READ THE FIRST POST!! It's NOT her son the dog is growling at, it's her son's FRIEND!

Having the son do obedience with the dog will accomplish nothing.

You know, I can't remember the last time either one of my dogs growled at a human. If they ever did, and the person was a welcome visitor, and not a burglar, correction would be swift and firm.