HELP! My 9 mo old GSD bit someone

[IDR]

Early this morning (it was still dark out), I was walking my 9 month old GSD, Apollo (on prong collar and 6 ft leather leash), and my Rat Terrier. There was a man and woman walking towards us down the sidewalk on their way to the train. Before they reached us, I moved over to the grass and told Apollo to sit. When the people got right next to us, Apollo suddenly broke command, lunged at the man, and grabbed his arm. I immediately corrected him (not as strongly as I should have but my hubby is out of town which means I was walking by myself and I had two leashes and a full poopy bag in my hands). Once I got him back in a sit, he let out a bark and growl toward the man. Fortunately, it is winter so the man had a thick coat on and Apollo did not break skin. Needless to say, the man was not happy…

A little history on Apollo: We got him from a breeder in Poland at the age of 5 ½ months. He was a kennel dog but was somewhat socialized with strangers and other dogs. As soon as he arrived, we began socializing him like crazy (farmers markets, bars/restaurants with outdoor seating, pet stores, outdoor concerts, etc.). He started obedience training at 6 months through our local GSD club and is still going to class every week. We also take him to a dog park 4-5 times per week. He is great with kids, neutral to friendly with strangers, sits quietly in the hallway when someone comes to the door, occasionally growls at some dogs while on leash, plays great with dogs off leash.

We have had issues with morning commuters on walks, but it seems to have always been excited, not aggressive. About a month or two ago, I was exchanging greetings with a woman walking in the morning, and he bounced up in the air and grabbed her arm. She did not freak out and just stood there, and the second he let go he was wagging his tail and acting friendly but excited. Most of the time he just gets excited when someone walks by, occasionally he will bounce up in the air, sometimes lunging toward them. This is the reason I make him sit whenever someone is about to walk by us.
I am very freaked out by this behavior and don’t want to have an out of control dog who bites morning commuters! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Harley0312]

im not sure about your problem but just wanted to say hi and im from rolling meadows with a 9 month old as well

[Kaity]

Can you walk him in a different direction where there isn't so many people? I don't think this would improve his behaviour.. You have to be confident that you are in charge on the walks. Don't get stressed or uneasy, you need to take full control of the pup. It's great that you have him on a prong, I don't know where you set your prong on your pup but I put mine higher up on Vida so she feels it more (no I'm not trying to hurt her.. she just seems more aware of it when it's up towards her chin more) Also, if you're telling him to 'sit' you need to accompany that with a 'stay' and keep re-enforcing the stay ' good stay..' then when you want to release him, say 'yes' or have a release word so he isn't confused.

Since he has already lunged at somebody, and if he did more damage in the future he could be put down I wouldn't take my chances. Personally I'd muzzle Vida if I didn't feel 100% that she wouldn't bite somebody like that. Socialize, socialize socialize.. and for the 6ft. leash I'd get a 4 and wouldn't give much slack. If I think a dog is going to try and come near Vida when I walk her or the other way around, I literally walk her holding her collar. It doesn't bother her or choke her, just keeps her close to me for that little bit of reassurance. Good luck!

[Stella's Mom]

Originally Posted by Kaity

Can you walk him in a different direction where there isn't so many people? I don't think this would improve his behaviour.. You have to be confident that you are in charge on the walks. Don't get stressed or uneasy, you need to take full control of the pup. It's great that you have him on a prong, I don't know where you set your prong on your pup but I put mine higher up on Vida so she feels it more (no I'm not trying to hurt her.. she just seems more aware of it when it's up towards her chin more) Also, if you're telling him to 'sit' you need to accompany that with a 'stay' and keep re-enforcing the stay ' good stay..' then when you want to release him, say 'yes' or have a release word so he isn't confused.

Since he has already lunged at somebody, and if he did more damage in the future he could be put down I wouldn't take my chances. Personally I'd muzzle Vida if I didn't feel 100% that she wouldn't bite somebody like that. Socialize, socialize socialize.. and for the 6ft. leash I'd get a 4 and wouldn't give much slack. If I think a dog is going to try and come near Vida when I walk her or the other way around, I literally walk her holding her collar. It doesn't bother her or choke her, just keeps her close to me for that little bit of reassurance. Good luck!

A muzzle sounds like a good place to start, along with a shorter leash, and maybe a tab hooked to the prong collar too.

[Kaity]

I hate to just look at prevention, but prevention is #1 in my eyes, second comes correction.

[gsd320]

If his problem is over-excitement & not aggression, try getting him to carry a ball in his mouth on walks (not a tennis ball). ORBEES are great balls for carrying on walks with excited puppies & dogs. Instead of grabbing arms they'll squeeze the ORBEE to relieve over excitement. Don't bring him to dog parks--dogs mouth & play rough with each other; bad behavior that can transfer while interacting with humans.

[IDR]

Thanks for all the replies.

While short term, I have no problem resorting to a muzzle and keeping him on a very short leash just to prevent him from being able to bite, my primary concern is changing his behavior altogether. While in the past it has seemed like excited behavior, today there was a bark and growl, which it totally unacceptable. We take our dogs everywhere and I don’t want a dog that is untrustworthy around strangers.

[Harley0312]

Originally Posted by IDR

Thanks for all the replies.

While short term, I have no problem resorting to a muzzle and keeping him on a very short leash just to prevent him from being able to bite, my primary concern is changing his behavior altogether. While in the past it has seemed like excited behavior, today there was a bark and growl, which it totally unacceptable. We take our dogs everywhere and I don’t want a dog that is untrustworthy around strangers.

IF you dont mind a little bit of a drive, kelly at TOPS in grayslake does great work and is a breeder as well. Where do you currently take him, cause I need a place close to home for general training and space during the winter.

[jocoyn]

Honestly I would work one on one with a good trainer on this and set up scenarios for meeting strangers. I would have some concern with a prong unless your timing is impeccible as it can escalate things.

[gsd320]

Originally Posted by IDR

Thanks for all the replies.

While short term, I have no problem resorting to a muzzle and keeping him on a very short leash just to prevent him from being able to bite, my primary concern is changing his behavior altogether. While in the past it has seemed like excited behavior, today there was a bark and growl, which it totally unacceptable. We take our dogs everywhere and I don’t want a dog that is untrustworthy around strangers.

When you keep a dog on a very short leash by your side & don't allow him to explore & do what dogs love to do, you'll just be capping his excitement (like shaking a can of soda).

If you start correcting him & acting nervous & up-tight when you see strangers, he's going to sense your nervousness & become nervous & apprehensive himself.

Get a long line & let him enjoy his walk. Practice calling him back to you & other obedience during the walk (give him treats & praise when he reaches you & treats for sitting). Start at a time when there aren't many people at the park & and make sure you're at far enough away from any strangers. Let him stop & investigate. HAVE FUN!