Trainer in NYC/long island area for mildly aggressive GSD

[Puppyloves]

Hi

I have a very sweet 8 month GSD. Ive worked with some trainers and have been having a hard time finding one who is qualified He's developed some bad habits of leash aggression and after spending time with the last trainer he started totally randomly jumping on strangers we pass on the street every now and again. He doesnt try to bite them but this is obviously NOT good. He is also barking A LOT in the apartment also not good especially for my lovely neighbors

I'm very conflicted because one trainer advises shock collar the other positive reinforcement. He Responds better to the more aggressive approach but also started the jumping on strangers after spending a week with the trainer who uses shock collars and I can't tell if there is a coalition or if that was a coincidence. Peronally i wonder if shock collar is appropriate at this young of an age or at all i am willing to go in either direction provided it proves to be a good long term solution for him but I'm at my wits end. I took him to the vet today to get one last opinion on his elbows which need surgery and the doc said he def needs surgery and it will be expansive so maybe I should think twice whether I want to keep him and spend the$ on surgery because of his behavior issues. I really didn't think his issues were THAT bad that a chief of surgery from a major NYC animal hospital would recommend that I give the dog away - with my limited knowledge of dog training I feel like at 8 months these issues can still be addressed if I could find the right trainer. Am I wrong? He's never bitten me or anyone just mouths when stressed ie at the vet.

I'm really upset and conflicted. I do NOT want to give up this dog If someone can give me some advice because the last thing I want is to see someone get hurt or for the pup to have to get put down

I live in Brooklyn but am willing to go to long island.
Thanks so much!

[JakodaCD OA]

I hope you can get some suggestions, I'm not in that area so can't really advise you on a trainer. I think that was rather 'quick' for the vet to advise getting rid of him at 8months..he is still young and can be worked with .

but a couple of observations Sounds like you need a middle 'medium' with training, I wouldn't do a shock collar just yet, but totally positive reinforcement may not work.

Is he barking alot when you are there?? I would make sure he has alot of things to gnaw on, that could keep him busy and keep his yap shut

How much exercise does he get? I know you mentioned elbow surgery so I'm assuming not that much?? because of his elbow?

Sounds like he's quite frustrated and a mouthy youngster. Sounds like he needs some exercise (other than walking) to get some of that pent up energy out. But I do understand about the elbow thing..

The jumping on people is RUDE RUDE RUDE,,I would keep him on a tighter leash and keep a good reign on him while passing people, STOP the jumping BEFORE it happens, always ASSUME he is going to jump on Joe Public coming down the sidewalk so your ready to divert it..

What do YOU do, when he's barking/or jumping on people? Are you to 'easy' on him? Maybe you need to 'up' your corrections?

I hope someone can come on and recommend a trainer in your area..and NO I wouldn't give up on him just yet, he just sounds pretty bratty to me

[Puppyloves]

Thanks Diane!

Yeah the elbow thing has been an issue for getting him exercised enough to not act out. One vet said not to take him to the park and only for slow long walks but I've taken him anyhow once or twice a week and just made sure he stayed moving at a moderate pace. No crazy running. Also what helped was I enrolled him in a scent tracking class and we practice at home every day and that's a surprisingly exhausting activity for him. But hopefully although I don't think the two are linked once the elbow pain is alleviated I hope that some of this is due to excess energy.

The barking is mainly a guard thing. I live in an apartment there are 12 other units on my floor and so if he hears anyone in the hall- which is often - he barks to alert me. If it's late and everything in my place is quiet I think it just amplifies everything and he barks for a while. When he was at the trainers house the trainer said he did nit bark so I think it's purely territorial. Also when someone does come in the house he gets very excited to play and is not at all aggressive aside from the barking that happens when they knock.

I admit I've been easy on him lately because of the health issues. But the jumping on passing strangers is unacceptable and I usually try to correct him by popping the prong collar but it happens so randomly that I'm not always prepared. So I need to be more responsible in that area. Tight leash when any one passes by from now on!

I also just spoke with the trainer who teaches the scent finding class and the dog behavioralist who works at the daycare that i take him to and they were both shocked at what the vet said because they have never seen him behave that way toward a human or dog. They are both positive reinforcement types and I just don't think their methodology will be strong enough to help but may try anyway. It just seems like both camps have their merits and drawbacks and I can't tell what is the right path!

[kiya]

If you are willing to travel to Long Island, my trainer LOVES GSD's has a few herself. She is in Holbrook, unfortunately it is a hike for you. But even if you just did an evaluation. I have been training with her for almost 9 years and highly recommend her. Let me know if you want her number.

[JakodaCD OA]

he sounds like a NICE normal young dog..I also would forget what the vet said, he may be a good vet but sometimes they don't always have the greatest ideas on temperament/behaviors..

I would "try" the doggie behaviorist at your daycare, it sounds like they are easy access for you and him, maybe have her come to your place so she can see how he behaves and give you ideas on working on that.

If it's not far for you definately take carolyn up on her offer to,,,Keep us updated!!!

[ayoitzrimz]

You can get in touch with Steve Hong at k9key.com - located in Long Island near Uniondale (?). He really knows his stuff

[Puppyloves]

Thanks so much everyone. I will call the trainers that you all recommended and see who is the best fit for us. And tomorrow I am going to have to leave him at daycare and the behaviorist there said she would take him for a walk and spend 1/2 hr doing an evaluation with him on the street. So in the end she may end up being helpful which would be nice since she is so close by and I happen to like her personality.

The surgery on his elbows will be either this or next Tuesday so I will keep you all posted on that. All in all I think I just ended up in a difficult situation with him in terms of his health problems and that's been kind of putting everything on hold and making him more agitated and me more stressed. I still love the little monster like crazy so I'll get through it. But it's great to have the resource of this forum and the support of fellow shepherd lovers!