What is going on?? 7 month old becoming aggressive?? Help!

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by Franquie on 13 September 2009 - 20:09

Today while I was at my mother's house, my 7 month old GSD puppy tried to bite my 4 year old brother while she was lying next to me.

Yesterday at the dog park she tried going after multiple dogs when they came near her when she was standing next to me.

Is this just normal GSD protective behavior?? I absolutely CANNOT tolerate this behavior because I can't risk her biting someone, but I have been socializing the CRAP out of her since the day I got her at 8 weeks old.

She goes to work with me twice a week with me (I am the Playgroup Director of a Doggie Playgroup), on the days she doesn't go to work with me she either goes to the dog park, or I take her on a long walk.

She has always had a bit of an "attitude" but it has gotten REALLY bad practically overnight.

I told my mom I am going to bring her back over to the house as many times as I can this week with treats so she can learn that kids are actually a good thing, but does anyone know why she might be doing this?? It's really stressing me out!

by clifford on 13 September 2009 - 20:09

get rid off here dont waist time bad temperment do your home work nexit time befor geting a dog, i know you not going to like it , but thats the truth, and dont hiat me ethor

good luck

by steve1 on 13 September 2009 - 20:09

Yes, and that is what your Pup is picking up on from you. Your stress and ribes given off you is what the problem and you said it when she tried to bite my brother whist she was laying next to me, The Pup is a Dog not a child to be laying next to the owner and should be treated as a Dog, a Dogs place is with its master but all the time
The time for being with the master is for walks and being fed etc not all day long
The Pup is becoming more and more reliant on you instead of learning to live a life as a Dog does and that means not with you 24- 7,
Take it for walks etc but give it its own space inbetween in other words leave it to be its self and not with you, keep it out of the Dog park let it get used to people and children in a less stressful and quiet place than a dog park above all treat it what it is a Dog not a human being, it will then relax and be happier, at the moment it is too reliant on you and it needs to stop if the dog is to become a normal happy Pup, I hope you will understand what i am getting at
Steve

by Franquie on 13 September 2009 - 20:09

I'm not getting rid of her. Also, I did plenty of research. Her parents both have great temperments, as do the rest of the dogs in her pedigree. The breeders of her litter only breed the best, and definitely would not breed parents with temperment issues. Hopefully someone else will have something a little more contructive to ad /:

by Franquie on 13 September 2009 - 20:09

I don't keep her with me all day long :P I work 8 hours a day Monday-Friday and she only goes to work with me twice a week. When she's at work with me, I'm not actually WITH her. She's up in the Playgroup area which is watched by a Playgroup Attendant.

Also, I always thought I was pretty good about treating my dog like a dog and not like a person... Could be wrong...

What I was getting at when I was talking about all the outlets she get's is just that I don't think this sudden aggression is due to her having too much pent up energy.

Anyway, that's an interesting idea though Steve...

by Delilah on 13 September 2009 - 20:09

Well at 7 months she is probably about to come in to heat. And they tend to get real bitchy and that may be why this has happened "over night".
Other wise the common dominator here is you. Not saying you did anything wrong just that she did this while you were there. In her mind she is just protecting you/.

I'd leave her home for now till her heat passes. If she continues with this behavior afterward I'd bring her to a trainer and see what they have to say..

Your dog kinda reminds me of my Ebony. I raised her from birth, I was the first thing she saw. She was real protective of me. I was her world basically. She was well trained any one could take her and run her through her routine but if I was out there with them in her eye sight she would not listen to them till I was out of eye site.

What may help is having her stay else where for a while so she learns that you are not the whole world.
Or at least have some one else come in and feed her and take her for her walks. JMO. Delilah

by Franquie on 13 September 2009 - 20:09

Thanks for the advice Delilah! I had concidered the possibility that it could possibly be a heat cycle coming on, but I thought in larger breeds it tended to happen later... Like around 9 months. It makes me feel a little better that someone else had a somewhat similiar thing happen to them with their dog... Still going to be vigilent though!

by Dawn G. Bonome on 13 September 2009 - 21:09

Franquie,
My female pup just started to do this also. I have socialized her, as well. Took her to Puppy Class starting at 4 months of age.I am not concerned because today I took her to Petsmart and had treats with me and she is fine! She took treats from adults and children, and she accepted being petted. I agree with Delilah and her input about going into heat.
My dog started Basic Obedience on Tues. 9/8/09.

Just keep up the socialization. I am.

Dawn

by Franquie on 13 September 2009 - 21:09

Thank you very much Dawn. That makes me feel a lot better (:

by Red Sable on 13 September 2009 - 21:09

Read up on Leerburgs site on how to be the pack leader.

Sorry, but I get a little irked when people get a GSD and then are surprised when it acts like one.

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