Dog nipped someone

[queenie1972]

Hi all, hope you can offer some advice on our situation, I would really appreciate it. We have had Finley since February this year, and he is approx. 4.5 years old. We have had lead aggression behaviour to deal with mainly as well as his inability to play with other dogs and rushes up to them when he is off the lead, he is fine until they turn to leave and he will snap at them. He has had a fair good few snaps back and now we simply hold him by the collar when we are walking by a dog to keep him back. We have taken him to obedience classes over the months - he is chageable, it seems he starts playing up when he is bored. We have had him neutered too, in an effort to ease some of the aggresive behaviour. We've also got him anti-anxiety tablets too which he is approx 3 weeks into,just anything to try and make a difference, we also know its not going to go away overnight, but really thought we were getting somewhere with him recently, the halti head collar has made a massive differennce to walking him on the lead and the only way I can walk him, he weighs 40kg and I am not much more than him! Today over the big park where he can run free he nipped a man on the back of the leg - completely out of the blue. My parents were walking with me and my boyfriend, and my Dad tends to think that the man (who he bit) and his wife seemed to creep up behind us, the man was waving his umbrella around and Finley was guarding us in a way. This explanation seems plausible however, its not acceptable in anyway - the man, quite rightly was angry and had a go at us. We could only apologise. I sm so upset, I was petrified that he would nip my parents and finding the whole process incredbly stressful. Getting a rescue dog was never going to be easy I know. Now we want to start a family, I am utterly worried sick in case Finley nips the baby or worse. I have heard that GSDs are wonderful with children - if there is any advice you could give us I would really appreciate it.

[debbiebrown]

Have you taken him to any Obedience classes? or had him evaluated by a professional? if not my first step would be to work one on one with a private trainer, have the dog evaluated and then go from there.........at this point you do need professional help with him you need someone to help you become a better handler with him being the way he is...........it could be a fear based thing, or just not alot of guidence, socializing, etc.........i will say working through this type of thing is never quick and easy, its takes time, money, and dedication and more than likely will be part of the dogs life for his life, usually most dogs like this can be managed through the right training, but its always there.........i also want to add grabbing him by the collar in the presence of another dog could be setting him up to react even more.....i would not let your dog off leash if he cannot be trusted around people in public, your just setting him up to fail...........Find a good private trainer, i think you will be more successful that way than trying to figure it out for yourself.........alot of times dogs react because they have learned to react and have never been corrected or guided to do anything else........from what you have said about the dog, i think you can work through it if you want to dedicate yourself to alot of hard work and spending time slowy conditioning the dog and correcting him for in-appropriate actions.......

[queenie1972]

Originally Posted by debbiebrown

Have you taken him to any Obedience classes? or had him evaluated by a professional? if not my first step would be to work one on one with a private trainer, have the dog evaluated and then go from there.........at this point you do need professional help with him you need someone to help you become a better handler with him being the way he is...........it could be a fear based thing, or just not alot of guidence, socializing, etc.........i will say working through this type of thing is never quick and easy, its takes time, money, and dedication and more than likely will be part of the dogs life for his life, usually most dogs like this can be managed through the right training, but its always there.........i also want to add grabbing him by the collar in the presence of another dog could be setting him up to react even more.....i would not let your dog off leash if he cannot be trusted around people in public, your just setting him up to fail...........Find a good private trainer, i think you will be more successful that way than trying to figure it out for yourself.........alot of times dogs react because they have learned to react and have never been corrected or guided to do anything else........from what you have said about the dog, i think you can work through it if you want to dedicate yourself to alot of hard work and spending time slowy conditioning the dog and correcting him for in-appropriate actions.......

Debbie thank you for your reply, we have been taking him to obedience, but have been unable to for the last month due to my other half's shift schedule - we do have the name of a of behaviourist (ex police dog handler) and will give him a call. Thanks

[debbiebrown]

i think your on the right track......honestly, its all about you learning as a handler how to take leadership and toogether with the trainer coming up with what kind of training will work best for him......it might take a while to figure out his triggers, thresholds etc, but i really think you can work it out..........i have a dog similar and have been in your situation, it took me a while to find the right trainer, and they are not all equal, so be choosey, if something doesn't feel right, its probably not........its SO important to really get someone who knows what they are doing. i ended up going with the SchH group and a then another lady that trains military and police dogs and also rescues gsd's and works with them.............all together different outlook than your every day kennel class trainers etc............

[queenie1972]

thanks Debbie

[trudy]

first keep him on leash!!! No exceptions!!!! He has no rights, he is so low that he must remain slightly behind you, he must NOT acknowledge anyone or anything!!! If you can't walk him, then start walking in your driveway, on the sidewalk in front of your home, very short, very controlled, he must walk loose lead, to the left, slightly behind while ignoring all. Only after this is fully mastered, lengthen the distance BUT only go slowly, he has learned he can get away with crap, now take all that away, and NO off lead for anyone!!!Ever!!!!

[queenie1972]

Originally Posted by trudy

first keep him on leash!!! No exceptions!!!! He has no rights, he is so low that he must remain slightly behind you, he must NOT acknowledge anyone or anything!!! If you can't walk him, then start walking in your driveway, on the sidewalk in front of your home, very short, very controlled, he must walk loose lead, to the left, slightly behind while ignoring all. Only after this is fully mastered, lengthen the distance BUT only go slowly, he has learned he can get away with crap, now take all that away, and NO off lead for anyone!!!Ever!!!!

Thanks for your reply Trudy, I never let him off the lead, its my partner who does over the park. I walk him in the streets using the halti head collar, which has been the best thing ever for me, I feel totally in control. Ive been working on him to walk directly at my heel and we were doing so well. Will keep persevering.

[zyppi]

Originally Posted by queenie1972

Now we want to start a family, I am utterly worried sick in case Finley nips the baby or worse. I have heard that GSDs are wonderful with children - if there is any advice you could give us I would really appreciate it.

Sounds like you are really trying and your dog will benefit from your training.

Only time will tell which behaviors you will be able to correct, and at least avoid consequences by knowing when you cannot depend on his reaction.

As far as a baby, your dog may be accepting and steady, but, as with any dog, you will have to be very careful and vigilant.

I have one GSD who woll tolerate anything from a child, and I have one who is too excitable to be trusted with children.

My children were raised with GSDs, but, honestly, I probably would have rehomed one with the temperament of my current female. As is, I put her in another area of the house or yard with the grandchildren are here.

Keep working with him and when a little one comes along, never have the child and dog in the same room unless you have complete control over him.

[debbiebrown]

Great Advice Anne!

[trudy]

Queenie 1972, then tell your partner what I said never off the leash!!! He can't be trusted, not yet and maybe never, YOu can't afford a lawsuit and the dog can't afford loosing his life!!!! All I sadi I stick to and add in the partner as well