My 18 month old GSD is aggressive towards strangers and other dogs. I think he is mostly just scared of people he doesn't know.
When on walks in the neighborhood, he will bark and pull towards people/dogs he doesn't know, and of course, all the other dogs in the neighborhood are not on leashes and charge when on walks. When this happens it is the worst for him. He barks and tries to be protective, but I can tell he is scared too by his yelping mixed in with the barking at times. Most of the time he will calm down after a quick "NO" and a jerk on the leash. He is terrific with our family, and interestingly enough, he is fine with any and all children. He just barks and tries to go after adults.
I realize he will need training and a lot more work, but I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this will subside with age, and proper training of course, or will he be like this forever? Any comments / Suggestions would be appreciated greatly. Thanks.

Hiya cirfan, i have just posted a similar problem i am having with my 11 month old bullmastiff, i have taken him to the dog behavioirist and i am currently looking for a muzzle for louis (bully) so i can gradually get him mixing again as you GSD bit or snapped at anyone yet? how do you deal with him when he does act like this?

yes , my gsd snaps at people and we thought he bit an older neighbor lady the other day, but i think he just scratched her in the arm. I think this because she only had marks on the top of her arm and nothing on the bottom. When this happened I was not outside and as soon as I heard him barking, A LOT, I came outside. The second he saw me, he stopped and listened to my commands. He was tied up on a runner so he was not out loose. He was not alone as my wife was out there with him, but he only listens to me. lots of work ahead.

"He was tied up on a runner so he was not out loose"

Please do not tie your dog up on a runner, it is absolutely the worst thing you can do with an aggressive dog, especially one that shows signs of fear-aggression. If you dog is snapping because heis afraid being tied up you are only heightening hisfear. It knows that it cannot get away if it is attacked, hefeels vulnerable and is probably trying to frighten everyone away. If you absolutely have to tie him up then it should not be anywhere where people can come into contact with him.

Stacey

Yes - he will improve with the right sort of training, but this needs to be carefully managed and can't be done from information on the internet :( Please try and find a local APDT or UKRCB member who can help you with some one 2 one socialisation for him...

Please stop jerking on the leash when he barks - this is hurting his neck and making him learn that when strangers come near him he's going to get hurt :(

Hi Cirfam,I was beginning to think I was the only one with this problem.My gsd,Flame is exactly the same way as you have describe your gsd.She is wonderful at home with family and our two other dogs,outside shes a nutter,this really is upsetting because we can't include her anymore in family outings its too stressful.I take her out on her own now(without the other dogs,she is a little calmer but would still attack other dogs and people if they come too close) as I thought this might help.People make her WORSE when they look at her,she HATES eye contact from anybody,other than family/close friends and goes crazy,barking and her hair is bolt upright till they have gone.I also have to muzzle her.WHERE did my adorable friend go???????????She was fine till 6mths old,then it all started.We've paid alot of money for a animal behaviourist(who wouldn't go outside to see her in her true colours)I have tried so many things but I am NOT going to give up her I love her to bits.I have reassured her,I've taken her fab treats(cheese)to distract her,nothing works,she sees dogs or people she doesn't know shes not interested in anything shes in protection (and I think theres fear)mode.IF anyone out there could PLEASE help me,I would love for others to see the wonderful Flame as we know her.By the way Flame is 13mths old.

The reason she doesnt' like being looked at is down to dog body language - if one dog wants the threaten another it stares at it - so any human (and children are the worst for this - if anything gets their attention they will look and look and look :( ) who stares at a dog is perceived by the dog as being threatening :( Unfortunatly reassurance and the wrong sort of use of treats can actually be reinforcing the behaviour in which case it persists because it's been rewarded. Marie Miller is in the Leicstershire area - she's an APDT trainer who also does Ttouch - which I can recommend for helping a stressed out dog to realise the world is not out to get it...........

Yes sorry I know what it means to the dog,I was just trying to say everything but left that out.I do distract before she sees the dog/people,I have read many books I've been in contact with the dog listener,Jan Fennell.I went to crufts for the first time and was advised by a police trainer(who has won at crufts apparently)to have her put down,which yes this was very upsetting indeed.I believe there has to been something i can do.How can I find a telephone/address for Marie Miller and (I'm new to this!)what is a APDT and what is Ttouch.Many thanks for replying

I'd be very surprised if Ms Fennells techniques have a positive effect on a dog like her :(

i sympathise completely with your probs - i had exactly the same ones with my GSD bitch.
Marie Millers website is here http://www.pawsnlearn.freeserve.co.uk/
i second what Digger said - Jan Fennel methods are NOT likely to work on your dog :( Problems like this cannot be resolved by simply ignoring her and/or "demoting" her. Please do get in contact with Marie, she knows what she's doing!!!!

Annette

I agree, with Annette and Digger, Marie Miller is an excellent trainer but she does ask for commitment and perseverance :)

She helped me with my Working Trials training for the scale jump last year, and i met her for the first time a few weeks ago at a dog event with her own GSd bitch. I would highly recommend her :)

She has turned around many very difficult and aggressive dogs :)

Lindsay