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AgileGSD · 08-31-2010, 05:42 PM

I had the volume off but dogs respond much better to training them what you want them to do then yelling at them for what you don't want them to do. Without the sound, I noticed Rabbit showing signs of stress and I would guess it was a response to the yelling.

She seems to be territorial and have barrier frustration, both traitsGSDs are known for. I wouldn't suggest letting her charge out the door and hoping people can fend off her biting them. She needs better management but not in the form of yelling or physical punishment. For example, instead of retraining and punishing the territorial behavior teach Rabbit to run to a specific area and wait (such as a mat away from the door) when she hears someone out front. I have a very territorial Belgian and was able to teach her to come to the back room at work when customers came in the front. So instead of barking and wanting to grab at people over the gate, she would bark once and run into the back room.

One other reason to teach a specific behavior instead of just relying on physically restraining and intimidating the dogs is that the Lab's behavior made me think there may be a tendency towards redirected aggression with her. If she ends up grabbing the GSD (redirecting) while the GSD is "after" whatever is on the other side of the door you could have a fight on your hands. It would be best all around to get them to tone down the front door behavior.

08-31-2010, 05:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
AgileGSD Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 1,645	I had the volume off but dogs respond much better to training them what you want them to do then yelling at them for what you don't want them to do. Without the sound, I noticed Rabbit showing signs of stress and I would guess it was a response to the yelling. She seems to be territorial and have barrier frustration, both traitsGSDs are known for. I wouldn't suggest letting her charge out the door and hoping people can fend off her biting them. She needs better management but not in the form of yelling or physical punishment. For example, instead of retraining and punishing the territorial behavior teach Rabbit to run to a specific area and wait (such as a mat away from the door) when she hears someone out front. I have a very territorial Belgian and was able to teach her to come to the back room at work when customers came in the front. So instead of barking and wanting to grab at people over the gate, she would bark once and run into the back room. One other reason to teach a specific behavior instead of just relying on physically restraining and intimidating the dogs is that the Lab's behavior made me think there may be a tendency towards redirected aggression with her. If she ends up grabbing the GSD (redirecting) while the GSD is "after" whatever is on the other side of the door you could have a fight on your hands. It would be best all around to get them to tone down the front door behavior.