Hello all, I've tried registering properly but don't seem able so I'll post here.

I have a handsome 9 month old male shar pei. I've just brought him in from his walk and he's just growled at a small girl as we were passing her. I've got 4 children aged 3 and upwards so he's certainly used to kids. He does tend to lunge at people as we pass them but I'm quite taken aback at his aggression.
The other day he also aggresssively lunged at a woman we passed.

He knows the basic commands, sit, stay, wait, here, but often will not comply until he's been told 3 or 4 times. His recall is a disaster, the louder I call him, the faster he runs away!

I'm having him castrated next week, mainly because I have a boxer bitch who will be coming into season soon. Is this likely to calm him down a bit?

I love the big dozy lump but I really don't enjoy walking him anymore. He's so incredibly stubborn, but he's much better behaved for my OH so he does understand the commands.

Any advice more than welcome,

Maisie

Hi

I also have Shar Pei - 2 at the moment but have had 3 of them - all uncastrated males!

Shar Pei are generally good with children - are you sure he is lunging aggressively? I know mine are the noisiest dogs in the world and always want to see whoever is walking past and they do try to lunge.  I cured this by using head collars (padded haltis).  If you are sure he definately growled - I would never let him off the lead.  Did the young girl try to stroke him?

I have trained one of my Shar Pei to an advanced level of obediance - we go to school every week and he has done all his life - he's now 3 - but I'm afraid to say they are a stubborn breed and quite often even now he will ignore me!  Only ask once and if he doesn't repond just carry on what you were doing.  He is trying to train you so you have to ask 3 times and he gets away with it until then.  They are also clever little monkies.

As for recall - Shar Pei are very independant and anyone will tell you that Shar Pei and recall are not good together!  Do keep trying if you feel confident and have somewhere very safe to let him off but I would say they can't ever be 100% trusted! 

Good luck.  They really are a lovelty breed and I wouldn't be without my boys but they are hard work!