new member with aggression issues

[Jennifer Choate]

I live in Princeton, KY and my 16 month old GSD Samson is showing possessiveness and being territorial issues. My vet says have him neutered and use a gentle leader. I was wondering if anyone had other suggestions. Wondering if there was a training facility near me someone told me of a place in the Clarksville/Fort Campbell Tennessee area but no luck finding anywhere. Would schutzhund training help him?

[onyx'girl]

Welcome, Jennifer

SchH training is not what I'd recommend for a dog that is showing reactivity at this time, but if you have a club nearby , maybe have an eval done on him and experienced GSD people who train there may willing to help you with his issues.
It is really about you as a handler managing him and showing him you have things under control so he won't feel the need. Most often at this age it is insecurity(fear-based) and when the dog can give up the need to be 'in charge' he can relax and look to you for guidance and direction.
Hopefully someone in your area will see this and give you some recommendations on a good trainer to help you.
I wouldn't neuter him yet, as long as you keep an eye on him and don't let him wander. He still needs to mature physically and neutering won't really help a training issue.
If it is genetics that are causing him to act this way, then you'll just have to learn to manage him. Usually at maturity(around 3) most will mellow out some.
BUT you need to show him you are his protector, not the other way around.

[JLOCKHART29]

I think you are on the right track trying to find a trainer. My just turned one Zico son is quite possive BUT he has been trained since 12 weeks that everything he has is a gift from me. I giveth and I can taketh away! LOL I made the mastake of letting him have run of the house as juvenile with exception of bed, kitchen or furniture. Started thinking the whole house was his "man cave". Started rumbling at me if laying into the hall and I wanted by. This was delt with appropriately but realized it was time to spend more time in crate or outside pen.
He is being trained in Schutzhund and both love it and doing great but that is what he was breed for. What is the breeding on this dog? I may catch flack for this but depending on breeding and your situation gentle leader may not be all thats needed. Fair but stern leader may be needed. You don't want to be afraid to take the tug from your own dog or tell him to get off your recliner (which a dog like this doesn't need to be in the first place.)
Is the dogs stable? Is his agression balanced just the result of a dominate dog run amoke or is he unstable, fearful. Masking his fears with the agression. Only someone who works with the dog can know for sure which is why I say a trainer would be better to awnser your question. Preferably one that has experience with Shepherds and other working breeds. A goods Schutzhund club could help if he has the temperment but most clubs want a committed member before putting much time into a dog and handler. Good luck.

[Jennifer Choate]

He is not a pure bred dog I have no papers on him. I'm not sure that his aggression is fear based. At our home and yard he listens fairly well. But If we are in our cars and someone comes near he will become aggressive. Or if we are around and there is another dog around he will become aggressive, if we are not around, we've been told him and the other dogs get a long fine. And we can't control it. I have bought a pinch collar but my vet said by using that I'm making it worse. Need help. my vet says he is an accident waiting to happen. He even grumbled at him, never showing his teeth,yesterday which he's never done before. Really needing so advice and help finding a trainer

[onyx'girl]

From your post above, I would say that it is a fear based reaction. At home he is in his comfort zone, when strange people or dogs are around he has to show them he is all that so they will leave him alone. It is a fight or flight response, if he can't flee, he will fight.
Dogs that aren't fearful and have confidence will not show reaction, but observe.
There are so many fear aggression threads here, and good suggestions on training thru it, I would take some time and read thru them.
I have a FA female and have to manage her still. With maturity she has mellowed, but still shows aggression when it isn't appropriate.
The prong can ramp up reactive dogs....what you need to do is stop the reaction before it begins, with re-direction.
Leslie McDevitt: Control Unleashed®: Home Page is great and so is Nothing in Life is Free for managing reactivity.

[Jennifer Choate]

Thanks Jane. I've found a trainer at Clarksville, TN. The facility is K-9 training. I'm hoping they will be able to help us. He's a good dog with issues every noW and then. The ups guy came today and I panicked but Samson never showed any aggression. We where outside and when the ups guy pulled in and got out Samson went to the truck and let the guy pet him so now I'm super confused but hoping the trainer can help. Thanks again. Everyone on here is wonderful and I love all the advice.