I have a 2 year old (nearly 3) german shepherd bitch that I got from a rescue  centre last year. I have no details as to her background other than that she had been returned at least twice, as new owners could not cope with her. We were advised that previous owners said she was great on walks and quite loving, but aggressive towards strangers and friends arriving at the house.

Since taking her on ourselves we have seen exactly what previous owners have said and decided to ake our own action on it. May I add that we also have a 3 year old male GSD - very placid dog. Our female dog gets on great with the male and they play together and are always occupied playing in the garden with toys. We have no problems with their relationship together.

When family arrived at our house, we ensured we held her by our side until the visitors had sat down and she had stopped barking and calmed down. Once she had clamed down and settled, we would let her go and she would walk around and not bother with them. It is just initially when people come in. We found that with most people this method worked a treat. There is specific family members and friends that she is now fully comfortable with coming into the house and we do not need to restrain her. Those that she does not see that often, we are required to still hold on to her.

On the other hand, we feel that she has an issue with men and sometimes doesn't always settle at all. Sometimes we need to keep her in another room and when they get up to leave she lunges at the door, even knowing they have been in the house for a while.

She is quite aggressive when passing men in the street. She is quite aggressive when passing people with dogs on a walk.

She is a fantastic dog with regards to obedience training out on a walk - a quick learner.

She is full of energy and is very affectionate with us - always loves contact.

Any thoughts or advice??

Bubble30

hello Bubble, if it was me i wouldnt want to mess around trying to work on this alone, try find a qualified behaviourist in your area. I would want proffesional help for an aggresive dog to make sure it is corrected safely.

For a dog to be aggressive towards men, in my opinion has had a reason to. if she was a totally agressive dog you would have a problem.
I have one bitch that is very wery of men she does not know, but! also women. So goes by smell and I think they just have an instinct. Thankfully she is not agressive. It would have helped if you had known a little about her background. It is in a GSD instinct to be a gard dog.
Do you want her to except all men that enter your home?

Denese

I agree with scottishwomble. You do need professional help. It sounds as though the poor girl didn't have a very good time before you got her. It may be fear based aggression which would explain why she is ok with people once she realises she is in no danger from them. When people come to your house, ask them to turn sideways on to her and on no account give her eye contact. It's ok for you to give her eye contact as, from another pack member,(which is what you are as far as she is concerned), eye contact is a reward, but from a stranger it is seen as a threat. Aggression on the lead is also a common symptom of fear aggression. Your dog feels trapped and unable to escape from danger so it will display aggression in the hope that it can frighten off any would-be threats.

i agree with saxon, sounds as though you need proper help with this one i too agree with eye contact and side wards facing towards the dog fear agression can normally be respolved if you do things correctly good luck and hope you get a happy ending .