how to socialize a 5 year old german shepherd dog? - Page 1

a friend of mine had a german shepherd he was getting rid of because he was moving and he couldn't take the dog with him but he also never socialized him  because in his neighbor hood there was alot of houses getting robbed so he never socialized the dog so it would be aggresive   and pretect the house and now i need to socialize the dog cause i go on lots of hikes in the woods and mountains how do i do this? with out any other dog or any one getting hurt

what the fuck are u talking about who's jenjen

i don't know what the hell your guys or girls what ever you are i have no clue what your talking about who's jenjen

Start with an obedience class, controlled environment with other dogs and  people.

What is your experience with dogs? Have you trained dogs before? Attended obedience classes?

What is the dog like? Is it frightened of new situations?  How does it respond to new people and other dogs?


If you have very little experience with dogs, you may need the help of a private trainer to get started.

German Shepherds are naturally a protective breed, and if you don't get the right help, someone COULD get seriously hurt.

Please let us know a bit more about your experience, and the dog. And don't take it to obedience classes unless it's safe with other dogs and other people!

You have a potential powder keg on your hands. And you may or may not be successful. There is a critical period during a dog's life, from birth to about 12 weeks when crucial socialization MUST take place. If the dog misses out on this, its chances of ever being a normal dog are very poor.

my friend never socialized the dog at all he wanted it to be protective of the house when i take it outside it's ears are back and hairs up and if it here's another dog barking it looks around for it and if the dog sees another dog cause my place is fenced in if the dog see's another dog in wants to attack it i'm sure if i was on the street or trail with this dog and another dog was walking past us this dog would attac it with out hesitation.

it's a very vicious dog

i want to try and fix this dog for me it's still young i don't want to have to take it tp be put down should i walk it will a muzzel around other dogs and people first?

Get yourself a professional trainer. Don't try to fix this yourself. If it's fixable, you are going to need professional help, and not just from ANY trainer, either.  It must be one that has had experience with GSD's and other large, guard-dog type breeds!

A muzzle is a good idea to protect you from harm until this dog gets to know you. However, it won't be a lot of help if the dog is able to break away from you. He can still hurt someone pretty badly if you lose control of him, and he knocks someone down. It is also possible for a dog to remove a muzzle, if it's not put on properly, or if it's really determined to get it off.

You're playing with fire here, Sheba. I sure hope you don't get burned! 

Again, I'm not at all sure this dog can be 'fixed'.

Once again, please answer some of my questions:

How old are you?

How strong are you? Can you control this dog if it's lunging as hard as it can to get to someone?

What's your experience with large dogs? With training?  (I'm guessing not a lot...)

If you've never had a GSD before, or a similar breed, you shouldn't be trying to retrain a vicious dog. That's not just dumb, it's going to get you or someone else hurt SERIOUSLY HURT!

i had a german shpherd before  and she was 120 pound ya she was over weight and she didn't get  along with a lot of other dogs and i was able to hold her back and control her  i am 34  and i  have took it on a leash in my yard because i didn't want it jumping the fence the dog kows me  a little cause i went to visit  a lot. but  i still don't really trust the dog completely