Is there a particular dog at the dog park that he gets along exceptionally well with? Perhaps you could ask the owner of that dog if they would like to meet up some other time and place and let the pups play so it will be in a more controlled environment with a dog you know he does well with. Perhaps a spayed female? Then your dog can have fun while being safe....


As a side note I've never had my intact dog get "bullied" by neutered dogs, some of his best friends are neutered males.

 

There R more than 5 dogs that I'd consider his 'best friends.' We do meet outside from time to time. I like being at dog parks, so does he. I've made really good friends over the year and we like seeing each other on a daily basis. So again it's not a question of should I - should not. It's a question of how I keep it under control and if neutering will help me control it better.

Anyways, I've come to the conclusion that I'm more sure that I will neuter him at 3 - even 4. 4 at the latest. And also will be looking for new trainer or a behaviourist if I can find one.

I do have another question though, how does obedience class work? R there like certain levels of obedience to get a dog enrolled to a specific level (of a class)?

 

It's a question of how I keep it under control and if neutering will help me control it better.

You can not control other people's dogs. Neutering your dog will not help you control other people's dogs. Good Luck.

 

And is it normal for a GSD to listen and completely obey just ONE person?

Forgive me for asking a basic question! He is after all my first GSD. Had a dalmatian, golden, corgi, chihuahua, pomeranian before but they were family dogs, with my father being the utmost alpha. They did listen to me but we all could see who they submitted to: my father.

My GSD on the other hand will only completely obey me - no questions. He WILL obey other people, but with questions. If you know what I'm saying...

 

When max was such a young pup he was ran over my moms dog whether that had anything to him like dogs or not I don’t know. Max does not like other dog outside his family before he was neutered or after he was neutered there was no difference at all in his personality or temperament and or non was expected just continued management to make life enjoyable.

Continued bad scenarios with strange dogs are not going to be beneficial regardless if intact or neutered.

On occasion there will be someone that comes to the house that will tell him a command sit or whatever and max will just completely enjoy blowing them off. Then I like to show off what we can do lol. Then dogs do listen to my kids.

Think very carefully why you want to neuter it’s not going to change whatever is going on right now with your boy.

 

If you can live with him for four years, then why neuter him at all? I would take the advice from Jax regarding dog parks 100% seriously and not go there anymore.

 

I find intact/not intact options to be heavy on the not intact part. I've also discussed it thoroughly with my vet. And I'm gonna lay off on the dog park no dog park discussion, not here to discuss it.

 

Not to keep bringing it up, but is there a time you could go to the park when there aren't many people there? I know my park has "peak hours" that I tend to avoid. Would it be possible to arrange meet ups with the dogs he gets along well with during the quieter times at the park? That may help.

 

I think the real answer to your question is this, your dog is not broke. He does not need fixing, now or in four years, unless medically necessary.

If you want to continue going to dog parks, let me repeat two of the three golden rules for keeping peace and add the third one. No food, no toys, no dog fighting breeds. If any of these present, leave. I get you like the dog park, your dog enjoys it, and that you meet a lot of like minded people. I do too. BUT, I set my dogs up to get hurt and learned the three rules the hard way. I wish somebody had told be sooner and my dogs would have been spared a lot of attacks.

It is your dog, it is your call. But one last thing to add, neutering is not natural, the dog's body does not know how to act without the "tools" it requires to function properly. Other dogs are not equipped to know how to handle the strange scents of a neutered dog. There will be changes, who knows until after the fact whether they will be good or bad for you or him. Regardless, the changes will be permanent.

 

Neutering - Should I wait? I

Beau is 3 years old, intact, and we use dog parks on occasion so he can run. He loves going to the dog park. I don’t, here’s why:

He’s been bullied a few times, not many, by neutered dogs (he still likes other dogs, though.) He doesn’t play with the dogs at the park, he greets them and then gets back to fetch (we use a park tennis ball, not his ball), which is why we’re there but a couple of times other people have complained because he won’t play with their dogs, who really want to play with him (eye roll). Off leash he will do his best to ignore and avoid a challenge, on leash he will react to one (we’re working on it), and one time at the park another dog tried to mess with him when the leash was on him. He was very emphatic in response to that, at least that dog’s owner apologized, and so did I. Beau will sometimes try and mount other dogs - I don’t let him when I’m quick enough. Leave It works to stop him, he has a very strong Leave It. He does not allow other dogs to mount him. When they try, he prefers to just walk away but if they really persist he will eventually put on his mean face to make them stop. He’s never been in a real fight, but there has been noise, and the other dogs’ people get upset.

All annoying, but none of it is even close to bothersome enough for me to neuter him, even if I thought neutering would change any of it. I try to go to the park at dawn when hardly anyone is there, I work with my dog on his leash reactivity, I follow him when he goes to greet a new dog in case it’s a bully, I prevent his mounting other dogs - that is my response to the problem. Most of the time everything is fine, we play Fetch for 45 minutes or so and then we leave. All good.

If I ever get a second dog she would be female, and in that event I would look into vasectomy for Beau. But otherwise,no. Not unless medically necessary.

 

I know you don't want to discuss dog parks, so I will just leave this bit of info for you to think about. Not debating dog parks though.

When I lived in an apartment, I quickly found that dog parks were not for me. I would go when it was empty and leave whenever others came. Instead, I would walk my puppy to a nearby park, attach a 30 foot leash to him, then play fetch, work on training, run around, play hide-and-seek games, etc. He loved it, and he was more worn out from that than he ever was going to the dog park. Do you have a park nearby where you can have him on a long line? You could even invite one of his dog friends to the same park as you so they can play there if you really want him around other dogs. That may be a good alternative or something you can do alongside the dog park if you really want.

 

No my shepherds have always listened to their close family, not just one person. For example my husband and mom can give Gandalf a command and he will listen. However he will usually ignore strangers and my mother in law LOL

 

All of the issue you have listed are likely not a neuter vs. not neuter issue. Nowadays the spay and neuter campaign has become such a big thing that they've done everything they possibly can to encourage it. But neutering isn't a cure all. It isn't that good becomes more attractive. They get fat because they get a slower metabolism after the loss of their sex hormones. And people keep feeding them the same amount and likely continue to under excercise them.

I would be very concerned with the resource guarding combined with dog parks. I'd teach him a strong leave it and at the very least not bring toys or allow him to play with them. If there is a dog park that enforces a no toy rule that would be your best bet. As to the humping you need to correct him. He is a young dog and you need to step up your training or else things are going to get worse irregardless of if you neuter him or not. He's growing up and isn't a puppy anymore. Now is when you'll start seeing a lot more of him.

If he attempts to stalk and hump another dog then stop him from doing it. Manage and correct him, redirect to something else. But don't let him keep at it.

Don't let him steal toys. Especially at the dog park. This has such a huge potential to cause a fight and your dog will most be blamed (and from you've said it will be his fault) due to breed/and or size. If that happens he risks the possibly of having to be put down or getting strikes and/or you getting fined or having to pay for vet bills depending on how it works out and your state laws and city ordinances.

The humping up in people at this age isn't a good thing. I'd make him sit before you give him any attention. Make others have him sit before they'll give him any attention. If he blows them off or jumps up he doesn't get anything. Jumping up can be a problem especially with children or elderly people and is honestly just obnoxious.

 

Wait

I would wait until 2-4 years old to ensure proper development

 

I hear you all and thank you for all the suggestions. I'd apply what I agree with, to further training.

 

I just wanted to add, because you've gotten so much flack about taking your dog to a dog park, that I do with my dog almost daily, and she's neither dog aggressive or people aggressive. I also take with her her own rubber Chuck it ball, because tennis balls are hard on their teeth!

My dog has gotten in a couple of fights over her ball, or even another dog's toy, but I have not seen any lingering, or ill effects, from these events. Dogs, by and large, don't hold grudges, people do. So if your dog acts odd after some "event", it's very likely they're picking up on your body language and reacting accordingly!

A little tussle between dogs doesn't honestly have any meaning for me at all, so I don't react the next time a dog approaches. If you do, that's why your dog does! Keep calm, let the past go, and project the calm future you want to see, your dog will likely follow...

These people with horror stories about dogs that have to be "managed for life" IMHO created their own nightmare. Because any ongoing reactivity is usually caused by the owner, not the dog. Dogs occasionally fight. They do. How you react to that is HUGE!

 

Thanks for the input @tim_s_adams. I'm actually a very laid back, relaxed dog owner. If there's a fight break out in a dog park, I'm one of those people who literally chill out and play with my dog because it's none of my business. Really not one of those people who will get engaged or try to help, unless I know both the dog and the owner and the fight breaks out right in front of me. I find that it's utterly stupid of people to try and break up a dog fight by being in the middle and then blame one another if they get scratched or bit. Why would you even stuck your finger there. Stupid.

For me now it's really about just removing toys within proximity. I don't care if people stare at me as I 'dispose' of the toys, especially tug toys.

I couldn't agree more with you, fights do break out between dogs every now and then. And no I don't go to a panic state or whatever, the 2 times my dog reacted negatively, I quickly pull his hind legs and have him roll on his belly by command. And I don't really care if other dogs try to hump my dog honestly... They're dogs... But once I did have to step in because the dog that was humping my dog was a 120lb pit no joke, my dog was powerless lol.

Ever since I've taken my dog to dog parks, I've only lost my cool once. He was under 6 months and still jumpy, a person was sitting IN the dog park on a bench WITH... A LAPTOP. And everytime a dog approaches or jumps at him he will PUSH AND SHOVE those dogs. Not playfully, angrily. And then... He shoved mine. Dang, did I lost my cool. A person in a dog park with a laptop and shoving puppies. Just. Blah.

 

As to the neutering wait until at least 3 would be my advice. Bud was still growing until nearly 3 and didn't really come into himself until 5, when he finally grabbed a brain.

As to the dog park thing, do watcha gotta do. I agree and disagree with Tim, Shadow is massively dog aggressive and very reactive as a result of a few dog attacks, BUT she was on leash for all of them and two of them resulted in me getting bitten as well. And two of them were pretty bad. Had she been loose she may have felt differently. I don't like the dog parks HERE. I live in a city of morons though. Be informed, be aware and stay on your toes.

 

I've been going to dog parks since my puppy was about 5 or six months old, she's now 19 months. Never had a problem.

I have, and will continue to, monitor and step in whenever needed. There is a particular bully breed dog that weighs around 80 lbs that my dog does play with. When he gets over zealous, I have no problem grabbing him and giving him a short time out. Do I care if his owner objects, not at all! If they don't like me, they can go elsewhere. The dog seems to understand just fine...

As Sabis Mom says though, all dog parks are not the same. Mine happens to be a good one, where almost all owners pay close attention to what is going on with their dog. It's awesome.

 

I've been going to dog parks since my puppy was about 5 or six months old, she's now 19 months. Never had a problem.



I have, and will continue to, monitor and step in whenever needed. There is a particular bully breed dog that weighs around 80 lbs that my dog does play with. When he gets over zealous, I have no problem grabbing him and giving him a short time out. Do I care if his owner objects, not at all! If they don't like me, they can go elsewhere. The dog seems to understand just fine...



As Sabis Mom says though, all dog parks are not the same. Mine happens to be a good one, where almost all owners pay close attention to what is going on with their dog. It's awesome.

I feel like this might be likely to net you a serious bite. I do take my dog to the dog park, and I do step in if needed, but it’s to firmly command my dog to leave it and follow me, before anything escalates. Encouraging people to grab other people’s dogs is dangerous; maybe you’ve been lucky so far with that dog, but another dog might be in fight mode and might bite somebody who grabbed them.


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Wow Tim! Grabbing someone else's dog like that is a good way to start a human fight. Lol

IMO, if you (general you) don't like what is going on, you might want to consider leaving or not letting that dog play with yours. Maybe that other dog's owner approves of that behavior. Just saying in general, trying to change the environment and control others isn't a good message to put out there.

 

There are valid reasons for both neutering and leaving intact, and those reasons aren't really anyone else's business. While I think cautioning someone to wait until the dog is mature to neuter is good, I don't know why people insist on trying to talk others out of neutering at all. I see it over and over again on these types of threads though.

If you want to neuter him at some point, then neuter him. If you wait until he's 2 or 3, that should be fine. We had Keefer neutered at 15 months old and I don't regret that at all. I don't think waiting any longer would have offered any benefits, and since most boarding places around here will not accept dogs over 7 months old that haven't been spayed/neutered, leaving him intact was not an option. The interesting thing is that it did not change his behavior at all, but it did change the behavior of other dogs towards him, for the better.

 

Hi McGloomy,


My older male was neutered when he was 3 years old (he's now 8). He had on-going prostrate issues that we monitored for several months but did not get better. It was causing him discomfort and I felt neutering was the best option, as did my vet. I'm thankful he was mature and done growing, for the most part.


I was afraid that neutering him would CHANGE his personality and I did not want that to happen. He was perfect to me. There was absolutely no change afterwards except he didn't mark as much all over the perimeter of our property.


I believe it's a personal choice and there are pros and cons. It's nice to talk it over with someone who is not really anti or pro on either side.

 

The topic of dog parks always brings out strong opinions one way or another. Some people despise them and wouldn't be caught dead in one, while some people love them and swear up and down that they haven't had any issues and never will.

The thing is, the dog park can be great, until it isn't. All it takes is one stupid owner, one aggressive dog, one bad fight for a dog to be severely injured or killed. Best case scenario the dog walks away unharmed but mentally taxed. If your GSD gets into a fight with another dog, your dog will be blamed regardless of who started it based purely on breed. If your dog gets into a fight with a smaller dog, one bite can kill, and your dog can be taken away or put to sleep.

I have been to the same dog parks as Tim has been to. While I haven't seen any huge fights, I have seen enough dangerous behavior to leave plenty of times. I just don't like to take the chance, but I'm not saying there is anything wrong with someone who would be willing. Just personal preference. I go during off hours when there likely won't be many people, and I meet up with one friend who also brings her golden retriever. Our dogs play a bit, then we leave. Neither of our dogs are interested in playing with strange dogs, and I like it that way. Less chance for trouble.

 

When Inga was a puppy and before I knew any better I took her to a dog park for 'socialization'. My puppy was attacked by a homeless guys pit bull and now Inga is dog agressive for life. I am lucky she is still alive. This is the best dog I've ever had in my life.

 

That happened with my previous GSD. He was attacked by a big white dog at the dog park and from then on, he hated all big white dogs....barked and growled and hackles were up....the whole shebang. My neighborhood had quite a few standard sized poodles that got him all riled up each time they crossed his path. Anyway I stopped going to dog parks (there are 4 dog parks close to my house) after that.

 

Tim, my neighbor told me if someone else’s dog jumps on him, he punches it in the nose with a closed fist. Then he got a German Shepherd puppy. I want to ask him how he will react if someone punches his dog in the face. If someone else touched my dog for any reason without my permission, I would not like it and they would not do it again.

 

I don’t mind people shoving my dog away or moving into her space to get her to back up. She will. I put my knee up if a strange dog comes and jumps on me, I figure if you don’t train your dog not to jump that’s what you get. (I know it’s not considered best practice, but for a short person with a totally unknown dog jumping at me, it works.) Punching or grabbing any dog is something I’d find dangerous. And in the case of punching, straight up abusive.


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I think we are all on the same page with regards to random strangers grabbing or punching our dogs. However, a person has the right to defend themselves and their property. I would be very unkind if someone touched my dog, but that comes with a responsibility to ensure that my dog(s) do no harm.

 

I'm not saying I would mind if someone were to try and discipline my dog. If it's for good purpose that I'm board with, by all means. But to come to a dog park WITH a LAPTOP and SHOVING puppies is NOT OK. It's a dog park not a bird park.
@Courtney and @Cassidy'sMom, it IS indeed very nice to talk to someone who isn't big anti or pro. Helps puts things to perspective.

Bottom line is I know my dog, I trust my vet, and we're gonna wait.

 

Actually I have witnessed a public, ugly fight between DOG OWNERS... So one (A) was about to come in with his dog, one (B) with the other. Apparently dog owner B had HIT dog A, because they passed by each other at the door, dog A turned his head and growled, and then dog owner B just hit that dog. A lot of people saw it. It was a big, ugly blow out - legit screaming match. Obviously everyone was on dog owner A's side. Dog A didn't even attacked or lunged or jumped or being aggressive or anything at all, he just growled because dog B unpurposely brushed his muzzle on dog A's. And this dog owner B literally hit dog A.

 

ANOTHER REASON to avoid dog parks. What a zoo.

McGloomy, in 2 or three years you might not be thinking your dog should loose his equipment.