Serious Anxiety HELP!

[Del's Mom]

My 1 year old GSD has serious anxiety. He is also very protective. The two do not make a good combination. He barks at EVERYTHING (and sometimes nothing). He lunges and barks at other people and/or dogs but if he gets to them he stops and cowers if it is a dog and usually starts barking insanely if it is a person. I won't have the money to go see a trainer until next month. Any ideas or tips would be appreciated. He is 73 lbs and I have trouble containing him. I have tried a choke collar, it has little effect. Would an ecollar be helpful?

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I would start with the Yahoo shy k9 group: shy-k9s : shy-k9s

Has this basically been his temperament all along, or is it newer behavior?

Tellington TTouch Training™ is an interesting thought as is an anxiety wrap or thundershirt.

Doing NILIF with him, providing leadership, those kind of things can help. Real Dogs Real People

A front hook harness like the New Freedom one could help too. Freedom No-Pull Harness Deluxe Training Package (Turquoise)

The more your dog knows you are in charge, the less anxiety they will feel. Setting yourself and your dog up for success is a big part of doing that.

[sit,stay]

It is so hard to say anything with conviction, because I can't see your dog. But in general, I would say his behavior is more fearful than protective.

Maybe if you set up training for next month now, the trainer you arrange to start with could give you some generalized tips to use between now and then?

I would not start using an e-collar on my own at this point. I have nothing against their use, but in this case I would wait until I had the back up of a trainer skilled in that area. It can be a wonderful tool, but so easy to misuse.
Sheilah