GSD growls shortly after waking up

[samwise]

Originally Posted by Sunflowers

This doesn't sound good.

The breeder said it was "just his protection instinct"-- I hate to tell you, but at 4 months that isn't there. That was fear.

Sounds to me as if this is a fear aggressive dog who needs to be evaluated by a behaviorist ASAP. With little ones around and another baby on the way, this could be a recipe for disaster.

Have him vet checked for thyroid issues, and get a pro to eval him.

thanks. It does look like fear. The dog has his tail tucked and looks at us sideways when this happens. And he is excessively submissive otherwise (usually quickly turns on his belly when petted, would pee himself when reprimanded as a puppy)

[mebully21]

you can however teach the parents to keep the 3 yr old away from the dog.... gates can keep the child away from the dog and the parents should be supervising the child ....

as far as a temperment issue, since this is going on for 4 years something should have been done a long time ago ...... if the dog is that bad neuter the dog then return it to the breeder so the breeder cant breed it....

[Sunflowers]

Originally Posted by mebully21

you can however teach the parents to keep the 3 yr old away from the dog.... gates can keep the child away from the dog and the parents should be supervising the child ....

as far as a temperment issue, since this is going on for 4 years something should have been done a long time ago ...... if the dog is that bad neuter the dog then return it to the breeder so the breeder cant breed it....

I can speak for myself-- when I had a 2 year old and pregnant, then a newborn, my life was in a haze. You are sleep deprived, stressed, physically in pain, and get no breaks. You cannot be as vigilant as you would normally be, and the pets are very low in priority.

It only takes one lapse in attention for a disaster to happen. Gates can only do so much, and they are not going to work by themselves.

I do agree with neutering and returning. I can't imagine being able to handle this in the OP's current situation. At least, I would not have been able to.

[mebully21]

then they should return him definitely..

[PatchonGSD]

Originally Posted by sunflowers

i can speak for myself-- when i had a 2 year old and pregnant, then a newborn, my life was in a haze. You are sleep deprived, stressed, physically in pain, and get no breaks. You cannot be as vigilant as you would normally be, and the pets are very low in priority.

It only takes one lapse in attention for a disaster to happen. Gates can only do so much, and they are not going to work by themselves.

I do agree with neutering and returning. I can't imagine being able to handle this in the op's current situation. At least, i would not have been able to.

this!

[Jag]

Poorly bred dog. Neuter and return to the breeder. Fear aggression that's gone on for four years now it going to be a bugger to correct, and it sounds like you've got your hands full. Once that turns to the family, I suggest putting an end to it. If the breeder has a brain, she'll euthanize. If not, at least she can't breed this dog. If she refuses to take the dog back, please for the safety of your family and the general public, euthanize this dog. You can't pass that kind of a danger onto someone else, and it's not feasible for you (in your current position) to manage this dog. One slip up, and you'll regret it forever. VERY unstable dog.

[samwise]

Originally Posted by Jag

Poorly bred dog. Neuter and return to the breeder. Fear aggression that's gone on for four years now it going to be a bugger to correct, and it sounds like you've got your hands full. Once that turns to the family, I suggest putting an end to it. If the breeder has a brain, she'll euthanize. If not, at least she can't breed this dog. If she refuses to take the dog back, please for the safety of your family and the general public, euthanize this dog. You can't pass that kind of a danger onto someone else, and it's not feasible for you (in your current position) to manage this dog. One slip up, and you'll regret it forever. VERY unstable dog.

Thanks for the frank advice. The breeder is arranging for a behaviorist to look at the dog but I dot not have much hope. Heartbreaking as it is I do not see a way out that does not involve euthanasia or surrender of the dog to someone who can manage the situation.

[Jag]

If you're going to hang onto this dog for now, please keep him in an area where your child can't get to him. I think your breeder is a few fries short for advocating the dog stay with you after becoming threatening to those in your home. This isn't a new behavior, so it sounds genetic. Bad genetics can be managed, but it takes a lot of work. I draw the line at showing aggression to the family, and so should she. Please just keep your family safe while you're mulling over your options.

[samwise]

Originally Posted by Jag

If you're going to hang onto this dog for now, please keep him in an area where your child can't get to him. I think your breeder is a few fries short for advocating the dog stay with you after becoming threatening to those in your home. This isn't a new behavior, so it sounds genetic. Bad genetics can be managed, but it takes a lot of work. I draw the line at showing aggression to the family, and so should she. Please just keep your family safe while you're mulling over your options.

Thanks. Fortunately my family is out for the next 3 weeks. I hope to get this sorted out by the time they come back.

[KayleeGSD]

I can not tell you what to do plus it is hard to say because I can not see what is going on or the triggers. If you have a child I would not allow this dog to be around them. I have seen growling dogs when disturbed from their sleep for two reasons. One pain which the naked eye could not see, the vet ran tests and discovered a spine, hip, knee problems with Tori. She would growl and snap her jaws in the air due to pain. She never bit us.

The second time was with Kaylee at 5 months old. Kaylee is a healthy little girl but we had some problems going on here during that time. I have strict leadership rules that all humans in the house must follow. One person was breaking the rules and it caused problems with Kaylee's training and pecking order status.

I went to wake her up because she was laying in a high traffic area which she is not allowed to do. She woke up looked at me, growled, and refused to move. I corrected her and had to do some re-training. This was not her fault it was the human who did not follow the rules. I had to re-train leadership rules/status and the human breaking them is not allowed contact with her because of it.

We had Kaylee checked out by our vet and evaluated by a good trainer. She is normal everything is working fine, and is a happy healthy pup.

I hope you get him checked out and evaluated. The behavior he is displaying is not good. Maybe getting him fixed might help, but I would still get him checked out and evaluated to be sure. Also, I would have a trainer come out to your home to see exactly what is going on if that is possible.