14 Month Old GSD extremely dog aggressive - Page 1

My 14 month old male GSD is very aggressive towards other dogs not in our household.  Yes, he was socialized extensively as a puppy, this extreme aggression has developed since about 10 months.  Nothing traumatic has happened to him or anything like that, but it is extremely difficult to take him anywhere when he is lunging, barking, growling and baring his teeth.  He is not aggressive towards people or about his food, etc, just other dogs.  He is unaltered.  We currently use a prong collar with leash corrections, which he is completely immune to, he doesn't feel any pain.  We also tried a muzzle, and while he couldn't bite the other dogs, he boxed them really hard with his paws.  Please give me suggestions...he is a great dog other than this issue.

focus trainining. Start off with short training session with non aggressive dogs from a distance. Teach your dog to focus on you through food or toy reward.  Gradually decrease the distance

Is there a reason he needs to be so close ("boxing" distance) to other dogs not in your household?  Some dogs just don't want to get along with other dogs.  I would work on focus and training so he is under control in public, but he probably won't ever be a "dog park" dog.  Make sure you develop a strong bond and some good focus BEFORE you start testing it in front of other dogs.  I see so often that people force their dogs in front of other dogs too close and/or too soon.  Your goal is for your dog not to react, not that you can quiet him after he reacts.

He was boxing distance, because we were trying to get him to get along with a family members pet.

Trying to make him get along with another pet (friends, fam, public), is completely uneccessary in my opinion. none of my dogs need to be budy buddy with other people animals. I preach this to most new handlers/owners as most are humanizing.

 I however do expect obedience in all situations as obedience should be absolute regardless of the circumstances or distraction. I do a lot of behavior modification work with dog in rescue dogs and rehabing. Many owners/dogs suffer from what you are describing you are not alone.

without being there one cant see what the initial spark is, whether leash aggression, dominance, fear etc..... but i would consult and experienced trainer if i were in your shoes. I personally would do one on ones with you to achive obedience under minimal distraction.then i would have you work him in area where dogs are in the distance. Then i would have you attend a group class in which is designed for expected behavior in everyday life situations. This is safer for you and your dog for several reasons. the other dog is expected to maintain a level of obedience as well which helps your safety and creates positive experiences for you and your dog through the scenarios and carring some pressue while testing his level of focus and obedience. Its not an over night change. so be patient.

As far as your dog feeling no pain. this is false. it is simply that his focus/drive on the other dog over comes the level of correction you are giving. A correction isnt about pain. its about a redirect of focus. he should be corrected before loosing control. the objective is to maintain obedience and focus not to allow him to loose it. another reason you should consult a trainer to teach you signs and timing to place the appropriate timely correction to maintain the dogs sanity and focus.

also i only use muzzles after a dog is used to wearing one. you dont simply slap one on one day. This causes issues in itself as dogs feel restricted as the are defenseless and cant communicate via mouth. i personally take a few days to a week to develope comfortability with a muzzle prior to letting the dog where it. Another reason for consulting a trainer.

also you mentioned your dog boxing. dogs should not be put nose to nose ever! especially on whom has known issues.
many of us have different tactics on our introductions but  i personally take my time. I walk two at a time sometimes three for days beofre an offlesh meeting. I let them knwo the other is staying here, walk them together, train them together and when i get comfy i let them meet 2 at a time on my deck offleash(yes  offlesh so there are no restrictions). so they can do things naturally and im close by for any issues. but the deck is cleaned of all resources ie food, water, toys, myself. yes you are a resource. I have yet to have a fight. but i have had many many dogs come through my home issued and stable, pups, females, males. I have three males laying on my floor right now. So with that said consult a trainer to advise you when and how to do an intro. We all have different methods that work but its about knwoing if the dogs are ready for that leap that only an experienced eye will know.



hope this helps a little.

A family member's pet "not of your household"?  I'd insist they leave their dog behind when they visit.  IMO, a prong collar is inappropriate for this circumstance, and can make a bad situation even worse, by inciting a higher level of aggression than existed to begin with.  Certain dogs elevated in fight drive will percieve the other dog as the cause of the correction and not from the handler.  A choke collar would be a more appropriate choice (but only with proper technique!) and still not the course of action I would advise.

My opinion is, too much dog for you right now, and you need more training than he does.  Your own assertiveness as a handler is probably where the most emphasis should be placed.  When you go "Ceasar Milan" on him, your relationship will change in many aspects for the better.  At 14 months old, you don't need a dog that's saying F***YOU!  Get actual hands on help, not internet advice.  This dog needs to be asking you for permission to pee until it matures a bit.

Daryl,
Good advice. 

Jim

Also,

Your dog will probably always be agressive to dogs not in his pack.  Please,please feed your dogs seperately this could cause problems with the dogs you own even if it is not a problem now.  Do not expirment with having him around other dogs.  Especially when on his own property and on routes you normally wALK ON.  To the dog he owns these areas and he will be tertorial even of his normal walking route. 

You need a goal.  Your goal should be for your dog to respect you enough for him to tollerate other dogs and even ignore them.  Even at this point he can not be trusted.  given the opportunity he will still take a chunk out of a frendly dog.  Never let people have their dog around your dog. 

I agree with Daryl. You need to get someone who knows what they are doing to help you learn to work with the dog. Many of the things you have been trying are not appropriate in this situation.