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Not sure the best place to put this, so I picked the puppy area because it's not full blown scary fear aggression, but I want to catch it before it gets that way.
Here's the deal. Blue's 4 months old and pretty well socialized (in fact, I need to start teaching him some manners - he loves rushing up to other dogs to meet). He does well with people and kids. We walk regularly and his training's coming along well enough - I'm a little lazy about training sessions but we're consistant about NILIF - sit/stays before food/treats or coming up on the bed (haven't quite implemented it with the doors, yet - need to get busy with that).
The problem - this morning we were in the front yard when another dog walked by with his owners and Blue charged up hackles raised barking. It wasn't a 'real' problem because I knew it wouldn't go anywhere and the other dog was just a big teddy bear so I used the opportunity to watch Blue, but I want to stop this while he's young. From what I've read of fear aggression that's what this was. I'm not possitive, but it might have been a territorial thing, also - I don't think he does this at the dog park, but I need to watch him more - he's a very vocal dog and I'm not always sure why. We just went for a weekend trip and stayed in a motel and I noticed the hackles thing a couple times there, also. I figured that might have had some to do with it being a new/strange place and his first trip like this (although, it won't be his last - we like traveling and camping, etc). He also did the charge/bark thing last night with the pizza guy - didn't notice the hackles, but it was definately a change from the curious puppy to a more aggressive charge. And some of it might be because our other dog is very fearful - is he picking it up from her?
I've read a fair bit (but it's always harder to actually IMPLIMENT this stuff!) and from what I gather he needs to trust and respect me as the pack leader. He needs to look to me for all decisions about agression and needs to trust that I will take care of him.
Does this sound right to you all?
And if so can you offer some suggestions on how to curb this behaviour early? I really want Blue to be a friendly fella who I can take with me anywhere. I want him to be comfortable in his skin and I'm not at all looking for a 'guard dog'. The fact that he's going to be a big fella (like any GSD) is all the deterant I'm looking for.
I know that I need to work on his recall. He's pretty good - at the park while he's playing I'll call him, give him a treat and send him off again and it's about 90% effective. But this morning he didn't respond (too big a distraction).
Also, he's a pretty solid little fella temperament-wise. The testing from the breeder at 7 weeks came out all 3's and I've not known him to be overly timid although, the other day I charged him (he had dropped his ball and I was gonna get it before him) and it scared him pretty good - he bolted for the doggie door. Hehe - I felt bad for the little fella, but realized I'd never done that to him before. I'm assuming that means he does see me as a dominant figure, but doesn't entirely trust me.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
~L'aura
P.S.: I'm also concerned about coddling - if he's scared I want to reassure him, but how do you do that without reinforcing the 'bad' behaviour? Often at the dog park when he's been nervous I'll kneel down so he can come 'be safe' if he needs to, but I don't say anything or do any more than rest a hand on him. Unless, of course, it's one of those yappy little dogs who insist on being dominant and aggressive - then I swipe those dogs away from him, but I always stay calm about it.
Here's the deal. Blue's 4 months old and pretty well socialized (in fact, I need to start teaching him some manners - he loves rushing up to other dogs to meet). He does well with people and kids. We walk regularly and his training's coming along well enough - I'm a little lazy about training sessions but we're consistant about NILIF - sit/stays before food/treats or coming up on the bed (haven't quite implemented it with the doors, yet - need to get busy with that).
The problem - this morning we were in the front yard when another dog walked by with his owners and Blue charged up hackles raised barking. It wasn't a 'real' problem because I knew it wouldn't go anywhere and the other dog was just a big teddy bear so I used the opportunity to watch Blue, but I want to stop this while he's young. From what I've read of fear aggression that's what this was. I'm not possitive, but it might have been a territorial thing, also - I don't think he does this at the dog park, but I need to watch him more - he's a very vocal dog and I'm not always sure why. We just went for a weekend trip and stayed in a motel and I noticed the hackles thing a couple times there, also. I figured that might have had some to do with it being a new/strange place and his first trip like this (although, it won't be his last - we like traveling and camping, etc). He also did the charge/bark thing last night with the pizza guy - didn't notice the hackles, but it was definately a change from the curious puppy to a more aggressive charge. And some of it might be because our other dog is very fearful - is he picking it up from her?
I've read a fair bit (but it's always harder to actually IMPLIMENT this stuff!) and from what I gather he needs to trust and respect me as the pack leader. He needs to look to me for all decisions about agression and needs to trust that I will take care of him.
Does this sound right to you all?
And if so can you offer some suggestions on how to curb this behaviour early? I really want Blue to be a friendly fella who I can take with me anywhere. I want him to be comfortable in his skin and I'm not at all looking for a 'guard dog'. The fact that he's going to be a big fella (like any GSD) is all the deterant I'm looking for.
I know that I need to work on his recall. He's pretty good - at the park while he's playing I'll call him, give him a treat and send him off again and it's about 90% effective. But this morning he didn't respond (too big a distraction).
Also, he's a pretty solid little fella temperament-wise. The testing from the breeder at 7 weeks came out all 3's and I've not known him to be overly timid although, the other day I charged him (he had dropped his ball and I was gonna get it before him) and it scared him pretty good - he bolted for the doggie door. Hehe - I felt bad for the little fella, but realized I'd never done that to him before. I'm assuming that means he does see me as a dominant figure, but doesn't entirely trust me.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
~L'aura
P.S.: I'm also concerned about coddling - if he's scared I want to reassure him, but how do you do that without reinforcing the 'bad' behaviour? Often at the dog park when he's been nervous I'll kneel down so he can come 'be safe' if he needs to, but I don't say anything or do any more than rest a hand on him. Unless, of course, it's one of those yappy little dogs who insist on being dominant and aggressive - then I swipe those dogs away from him, but I always stay calm about it.
