Serious problem with dog agression

ProfanityURL

I have a large german shepherd who I have difficulty with regarding aggression towards other dogs. He was well socialized as a pup and grew up around other dogs but at some point something must have happened which triggered a change in behavior because for the past few years he's been getting more and more aggressive towards other dogs. When we walk down the street he barks and pulls against the lead trying to get at the other dog. He's very good at walking to heel but as soon as he sees another dog something just snaps and it takes a lot of effort to restrain him. He has no problem with people, even strangers, or other animals although he will try to chase cats sometimes. I really want to change this behavior so that I can take him on walks without the stress and worry. He is not neutered so maybe this could explain some of it, but would neutering now do any good? Good books or links to do with training and behavior would be greatly appreciated.

snoman

Easy Walk Harness at www.friendsoffido.co.uk.

This harness has been recommended by other posters. It allows you to control your dog if it's pulling. I'm sure it will be easier for you to be comfortable walking your dog if you haven't got the worry of it lunging at other dogs. I know it's really stressful and unenjoyable if you're constantly on alert when you're exercising your dog in public. Good luck.

JustAThought

Fair dues to you for trying to sort this out & get something done. Do doubt you have been trying as you went along & by the sounds of it & by the sounds of it you are in a bad spot. God knows what happened -regardless of socialisation some dogs natural prey drive developes as they do & unchecked , particularly in a powerful dog like a GS, this can really become a big issue.

If you can or are in Dublin I would suggest that you get some help. I remember from when I went to the Kennel Club training ( e5 a night, drop by drop in, Tuesdays at 7pm) there were a few really scarlet GS s that they were working on with their owners. To be honest I always kept well away as they seemed totally triggered by random thinks to being snarling savage Cujos -BUT -as the weeks went on I saw them really transformed into different dogs.

The Kennel Club in Cloughran ( it's IN the " national show centre" & is near the airport roundabout.it is open to everyone where you are a member it not & whether you have a registered dog or not.

If you are in Dublin & can afford to do a course I'd really recommend that you consider doing a training course John Ward.He is a genius with dogs & was the first person to put manners on mine when i thought it would be impossible.
He works also with reforming rescue dogs for Dogs Aid where they have worked to reform some of the most mistreated & abused dogs that have had terrible lives & I have seen mental dogs again be literally saved & reformed by John & his team from nutjobs to lovely dogs.Amazing stuff.


Edit - just checked -this is his website -it's Dublin dog training .
http://www.dublindogtraining.com


I'd start there; & for a big problem I'd start with John to work on a structured targeted approach to your problem & then do maintenance training weekly with the Kennel Club.

ShaShaBear

I would also suggest, considering I have a dog-aggressive dog myself, to tie something clearly visible and yellow to your dogs lead. This method of warning other walkers that your dog would like to be left alone is fast spreading and it might alert other dog owners before a confrontation arises. Since I moved house I had two incidents which involved me having to nearly run across a road to avoid a dog who was clearly as interested in starting a fight as Shadow was, and one of them felt I was very rude for not letting our dogs say hello. Luckily, since I put the ribbon on my lead, she and a few others in the area slow down or bring their dogs to heel when approaching me, which makes me calmer, and thus Shadow is calmer