How can I stop my GS from barking aggressively at my father?

NoRinyNo · 11-28-2011, 04:59 PM

I have a 6 year old German Shepherd that I rescued from a pound in Broward County, Florida about 8 months ago. I live with my mother, who is 89 and my father who is 85....He was OK with my mother, but started barking very furiously at my father when ever he comes down the hallway to his bedroom....He is OK if my father enters the house and I am away....He even will go into my parent's bedroom and sit with my father and be petted by him....I can not figure out why, all of a sudden, the dog will bark at him. I had to place a gate in the hall, but he is still barking at my father at certain times. My mother just tripped over the dog and broke her hip because the dog would sit at her bedroom door and she had to climb over him. I bought the gate while she is still at the hospital for this second reason.....Someone said that if I spray water at the dog while he is barking at my father that that would stop the barking, but not cure him of this behavior.....Any advice from anyone on what I can do to stop the dog from acting like he wants to kill my old dad?

W.Oliver · 11-28-2011, 06:01 PM

Give up the dog and take care of your parents.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 11-28-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W.Oliver

Give up the dog and take care of your parents.

I think that's a bit extreme.

and not very helpful.

What I would do is start taking the HOURS of time needed to train and socialize any of our dogs, no matter the age. How is your dog will all the hundreds of other people he meets when you take him on car rides? How is he in Petsmart? Walking down Main St.

How are the dog classes going and what does your instructor recommend?

I'd also be finding the BEST TREATS EVER that your dog likes and start having your dad carry them around. Trying to get your dog to throw a treat, or your dog to see the treat and approach BEFORE THE BARKING STARTS. So your dog is rewarded for being quiet and near your dad by the best treats ever.

katieliz · 11-28-2011, 06:28 PM

do not spray your dog with water under any circumstances. your dad carrying the treats sounds like a good idea. you are in a difficult situation, having a rescue dog with (possible) issues and parents who are elders.

i believe it's possible to take care of your parents AND your dog as well. the first step in that direction is for you to decide where the dog can be and when, so there is no chance of your parents injuring themselves because of the dog. you cannot allow him the opportunity to sleep anywhere they can trip over him.

i live with two packs (2 dogs each), have two bitches who fight, and i have to completely control their environment (gate, crate, rotate), so i know it can be done. but it does take dedication and a fair amount of time. like, if you work full time it would be impossible to control the dog's environment if you were gone all day.

do not try to "discipline" this barking at your dad out of your dog. you will damage any bond or trust he's developed with you.

katieliz · 11-28-2011, 06:31 PM

hey w.oliver from farmington hills, youza one compassionate dude (or dudette). everybody's entitled to their opinion tho. whew.

W.Oliver · 11-28-2011, 08:02 PM

My name is Wayne...therefore dude. I love GSDs dearly, but come on folks what is life's priority?

This is an inexperienced owner with a dog, adopted only eight months ago, that is six years old which clearly has some behavioral baggage.

The 85 year old mother has broken a hip over the dog...which via complications, broken hips kill many seniors each year...and the dog has issues with the 89 year old father.....do we really think he is in a condition to manage an issue with an aggressive GSD if the OP isn't around?

HELLO my fellow dog lovers...where does one draw the line? If we cannot see the forest for the trees here and be pragmatic...here is another suggestion to the OP...move out, take the dog with you, and get your own place close enough to take care of your folks.

Again folks, what is life's priority?

W.Oliver · 11-28-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

I think that's a bit extreme.

and not very helpful.

Imagine taking the high moral dog ground while looking the old woman with a broken hip in the eye and saying that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

What I would do is start taking the HOURS of time needed to train and socialize any of our dogs, no matter the age.

Dear OP, rehome the dog and put the HOURS into taking care of your mother with the broken hip, and lets make sure your 89 year old father isn't harmed.

W.Oliver · 11-28-2011, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katieliz

hey w.oliver from farmington hills, youza one compassionate dude (or dudette). everybody's entitled to their opinion tho. whew.

....and another thing...where is compassion appropriately placed...on the adopted dog with behavioral issues or the 85 year old woman with a broken hip who will need HOURS of care to rehabilitate?

Ephesians 6:2 .......look it up.

doggiedad · 11-28-2011, 08:21 PM

89 yr old mother. 85 yr old father. mother broke
her hip because the dog wouldn't move out of her
way. the dog is barking at a 89 yr old person
that lives in the same house. the OP doesn't know
he should crate the dog or secure it in another part of the house.
getting rid of the dog is harsh advice, really??? a 40 yr old to a 50 yr
man living at home. there's dark cloud all over the OP's post and when
the light shines through it's going to be sad.

mysweetkaos · 11-28-2011, 08:30 PM

Is there any way you could wake up maybe before your parents...take the dog on a long tiring walk. Give him breakfast, crate him or secure him in a room. I'm assuming you could find 2-3 30 minute periods a day to exercise the dog. If not perhaps crate him in the house, make the backyard secure so he could spend some time out there during the day? I agree with having your dad carry treats , all the while keeping the gate up to avoid any further harm come to your parents. While I can see where W.Oliver is coming from with parents coming first. I've been in the position of being caretaker to my Grandfather and it was emotionally draining so I know that the dog probably serves as a great comfort to you. I know when caring for my Grandpa my St Bernard was my best listener when I would just be a mess, it's hard work. Best of luck. Another possibility could you get a dog walker to help exercise the dog...knowing how time consuming caretaking could be, maybe your dog is just bored and acting out. Again, best of luck

11-28-2011, 04:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
NoRinyNo New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 8	How can I stop my GS from barking aggressively at my father? I have a 6 year old German Shepherd that I rescued from a pound in Broward County, Florida about 8 months ago. I live with my mother, who is 89 and my father who is 85....He was OK with my mother, but started barking very furiously at my father when ever he comes down the hallway to his bedroom....He is OK if my father enters the house and I am away....He even will go into my parent's bedroom and sit with my father and be petted by him....I can not figure out why, all of a sudden, the dog will bark at him. I had to place a gate in the hall, but he is still barking at my father at certain times. My mother just tripped over the dog and broke her hip because the dog would sit at her bedroom door and she had to climb over him. I bought the gate while she is still at the hospital for this second reason.....Someone said that if I spray water at the dog while he is barking at my father that that would stop the barking, but not cure him of this behavior.....Any advice from anyone on what I can do to stop the dog from acting like he wants to kill my old dad?

11-28-2011, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
W.Oliver Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan Posts: 1,436	Give up the dog and take care of your parents. __________________ India vom Wildhaus CGC Dayna von Royale BH FO CGC Therapy Dogs, Inc. Liberty Working Dog Club

11-28-2011, 06:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,321	do not spray your dog with water under any circumstances. your dad carrying the treats sounds like a good idea. you are in a difficult situation, having a rescue dog with (possible) issues and parents who are elders. i believe it's possible to take care of your parents AND your dog as well. the first step in that direction is for you to decide where the dog can be and when, so there is no chance of your parents injuring themselves because of the dog. you cannot allow him the opportunity to sleep anywhere they can trip over him. i live with two packs (2 dogs each), have two bitches who fight, and i have to completely control their environment (gate, crate, rotate), so i know it can be done. but it does take dedication and a fair amount of time. like, if you work full time it would be impossible to control the dog's environment if you were gone all day. do not try to "discipline" this barking at your dad out of your dog. you will damage any bond or trust he's developed with you. __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

11-28-2011, 06:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,321	hey w.oliver from farmington hills, youza one compassionate dude (or dudette). everybody's entitled to their opinion tho. whew. __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

11-28-2011, 08:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
W.Oliver Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan Posts: 1,436	My name is Wayne...therefore dude. I love GSDs dearly, but come on folks what is life's priority? This is an inexperienced owner with a dog, adopted only eight months ago, that is six years old which clearly has some behavioral baggage. The 85 year old mother has broken a hip over the dog...which via complications, broken hips kill many seniors each year...and the dog has issues with the 89 year old father.....do we really think he is in a condition to manage an issue with an aggressive GSD if the OP isn't around? HELLO my fellow dog lovers...where does one draw the line? If we cannot see the forest for the trees here and be pragmatic...here is another suggestion to the OP...move out, take the dog with you, and get your own place close enough to take care of your folks. Again folks, what is life's priority? __________________ India vom Wildhaus CGC Dayna von Royale BH FO CGC Therapy Dogs, Inc. Liberty Working Dog Club

11-28-2011, 08:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,836	89 yr old mother. 85 yr old father. mother broke her hip because the dog wouldn't move out of her way. the dog is barking at a 89 yr old person that lives in the same house. the OP doesn't know he should crate the dog or secure it in another part of the house. getting rid of the dog is harsh advice, really??? a 40 yr old to a 50 yr man living at home. there's dark cloud all over the OP's post and when the light shines through it's going to be sad. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

11-28-2011, 08:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
mysweetkaos Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,246	Is there any way you could wake up maybe before your parents...take the dog on a long tiring walk. Give him breakfast, crate him or secure him in a room. I'm assuming you could find 2-3 30 minute periods a day to exercise the dog. If not perhaps crate him in the house, make the backyard secure so he could spend some time out there during the day? I agree with having your dad carry treats , all the while keeping the gate up to avoid any further harm come to your parents. While I can see where W.Oliver is coming from with parents coming first. I've been in the position of being caretaker to my Grandfather and it was emotionally draining so I know that the dog probably serves as a great comfort to you. I know when caring for my Grandpa my St Bernard was my best listener when I would just be a mess, it's hard work. Best of luck. Another possibility could you get a dog walker to help exercise the dog...knowing how time consuming caretaking could be, maybe your dog is just bored and acting out. Again, best of luck

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