Inherited 4yo Female GSD... help with aggression

airnak23 · 10-27-2011, 03:31 PM

I am new to this forum and have been searching on here for quite some time. About 3 months ago my girlfriend's father passed away... He owned a 4yo female GSD. He was her master or "pack-leader" per say and after he passed away we took her in as our own. She is very comfortable and obedient with us but it all goes out of the window when she sees other dogs and unfamiliar people. This aggression towards other dogs, unfamiliar people has been going on for several years now, and I don't think were addressed as she grew up. She went from a nice home with plenty of space to exercise, to a small city condo. We make sure to exercise her approximately 2 hours a day; (1 mi walk in AM, 2 mile walk/running/training in afternoon, another mile at night.) but she has come very close to nipping people within the building. We now use a muzzle indoors with her. Her owner was planning on breeding her, (she was a show-dog,) but we are now looking to have her fixed as we have been told this could also be adding to her aggression.

My question is would anyone have suggestions on socializing both with dogs and humans in situations such as this? We are in the philadelphia area and have been searching for ideas or professional help for our dog. We want to do anything we can to make her more balanced and social and would appreciate any help regarding this. Thank you and I appreciate any advice out there.

**gsdraven** · 10-27-2011, 03:45 PM

Welcome. I sent you a PM with a trainer suggestion.

The muzzle is definitely a good start and I would make sure to use that whenever in public to keep her (and others) safe. Though, I don't think spaying will change her behavior it certainly can't hurt.

While you are weighing your options for a trainer to help, what to you do to occupy her mind? Is she being mentally stimulated (trained)?

airnak23 · 10-27-2011, 05:31 PM

thank you for the message. I have emailed them and look forward to working with them.

she loves ball retrieval. We play about 30min daily while on her walk. We do search games with her ball and treats within the condo. We are trying to teach her new tricks... rollover, play dead... Her sit, stay, down, speak, shake, etc are very good... we continue to reinforce them daily. I'm sure she can use more though so any suggestions are appreciated.

airnak23 · 10-27-2011, 05:54 PM

Our lucy

10-27-2011, 03:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
airnak23 New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 3	Inherited 4yo Female GSD... help with aggression I am new to this forum and have been searching on here for quite some time. About 3 months ago my girlfriend's father passed away... He owned a 4yo female GSD. He was her master or "pack-leader" per say and after he passed away we took her in as our own. She is very comfortable and obedient with us but it all goes out of the window when she sees other dogs and unfamiliar people. This aggression towards other dogs, unfamiliar people has been going on for several years now, and I don't think were addressed as she grew up. She went from a nice home with plenty of space to exercise, to a small city condo. We make sure to exercise her approximately 2 hours a day; (1 mi walk in AM, 2 mile walk/running/training in afternoon, another mile at night.) but she has come very close to nipping people within the building. We now use a muzzle indoors with her. Her owner was planning on breeding her, (she was a show-dog,) but we are now looking to have her fixed as we have been told this could also be adding to her aggression. My question is would anyone have suggestions on socializing both with dogs and humans in situations such as this? We are in the philadelphia area and have been searching for ideas or professional help for our dog. We want to do anything we can to make her more balanced and social and would appreciate any help regarding this. Thank you and I appreciate any advice out there.

10-27-2011, 03:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
gsdraven Moderator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mont Co, PA Posts: 4,624	Welcome. I sent you a PM with a trainer suggestion. The muzzle is definitely a good start and I would make sure to use that whenever in public to keep her (and others) safe. Though, I don't think spaying will change her behavior it certainly can't hurt. While you are weighing your options for a trainer to help, what to you do to occupy her mind? Is she being mentally stimulated (trained)? __________________ Jamie Raven (GSD) - December 8, 2007 Kaiser (GSD) - November 2009 Lead The Way Life's Abundance

10-27-2011, 05:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
airnak23 New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 3	Our lucy Attached Thumbnails

10-27-2011, 05:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
airnak23 New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 3	thank you for the message. I have emailed them and look forward to working with them. she loves ball retrieval. We play about 30min daily while on her walk. We do search games with her ball and treats within the condo. We are trying to teach her new tricks... rollover, play dead... Her sit, stay, down, speak, shake, etc are very good... we continue to reinforce them daily. I'm sure she can use more though so any suggestions are appreciated.

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