[Justkaiser]

Just started second obediance class with my 1 year old intact german shepard male. Spent alot of time socializing him during the his first 6 months with other dogs and he has always been great with other dogs, both male and female. In fact he has always just wanted to play. He never had a bad encounter with another dog.
First day of obediance training and my dog approached another male gsd. My dogs tail was wagging as he obviously wanted to play. As the dogs started to smell each other the other male went after my dog aggressively. My dog appeared horrified and surprised to say the least. I then noticed during the entire class my dog started acting aggresively toward other dogs in the class. He has never acted like this before this encounter.
I am concerned as I worked so hard to prevent this type of behavior. I have not neutered him as of yet as I really have had no issues with him requiring that. I have been told that his being "in-tact" may provoke aggression toward him. Any thoughts or ideas on how to proceed. SHould I start looking into the neutering procedure? Thanks

 

[Maraccz]

Originally Posted By: Justkaiser Spent alot of time socializing him during the his first 6 months encounter with another dog.

What did you do the second six months? If you stop socializing they can back slide

Originally Posted By: Justkaiser My dogs tail was wagging as he obviously wanted to play.

Was his tail wagging (mid hight even with back) or was it high over it's back? Means two VERY different things. What was the other dog's body language? Was he friendly or was he telling your dog to back off. Was the other dog socialized?
My dog is 21 months and intact. YES it does make a difference especially with other intact males. I socialize the heck out of him, he is friendly with most (not all dogs) remember these are not labs they aren't bred to be love everyone dogs.

 

[Justkaiser]

I continued the socialization through the second six months but not at the same rate at the first six months. For example instead of socializing 3-4 time a week with other dogs it slowed to approx. 1-2 time every couple weeks. Still socialized but not as much as before. His tail was low and wagging back and forth. The other dog was sitting beside his owner when my dog approached. They were both on leash and under control but the other "larger" dog lunged at mine and I had to pull my dog away. When the owner pulled his dog back then mine went for his dog. He then continued did this same lunging to a couple small puppies in the class. Another shepard mix also lunged toward him aggresively later in the class as the two passed by each other. Luckily they were far enough apart to prevent anything from hapenning. Unfortunately I do not know the background of the other shepard but I watched him during the class and seemed to be fine with all the other dogs. In fact I saw 2-3 other dogs come up and sniff him with no reaction at all. It kind of made it seem like it was my dog he did not like for whatever reason. Unfortunately since that my dog has been an "ass" for lack of a better term. I must admit I nervous about him interacting with other dogs now. He is fine in the class as long as the other dogs stay 5-10 feet away. Once they get close then all bets are off. He doesn't bark at them and can focus in the class as long as the dogs stay far enough away.