I have question about my pup. We just started group class with other gsds, they are all off leash socializing but when maximus (my gsd) was introduced to the crowd he would bark,bark,bark,bark,bark. Then a larger gsd (20 weeks) entered the floor and again he barked (having fun) but the larger dog ran after him. After that maximus ran under a chair and refused to come out. I made him come back out and he stuck by me like glue. Is this a sign of future fear aggression or is this just one of those things?

IMO it is not aggression at all, he is a young dog who is scared at a new experiance. If he were mine I would continue to go but take it slowly, just sit at the side of the hall with him and let him take his time. The others may have had more interaction with other dogs than yours has, or are a different character. I have found that pups go through a 'scared' period between about 12 weeks and 20, so take it slowly don't push or be over protective and I'm sure he will become confident.
Ja:)kie

Hi guest - a lot of pups do this - At the training club I attend , lots of the new puppies do this when they first start - it is all new to them. One of my own dogs barked for the first couple of times we went , after about three sessions I had had enough and told him off and let him know his barking wasn't wanted - I didn't want him to think it was acceptable and he stopped it. It is very daunting for pups to go into a hall with lots of strange dogs/people and it is perfectly natural. Let him take it at his own pace - I don't agree with dragging pups out from under chairs etc.(I have seen some trainers do this) I agree with Jackie, let him take it at his own pace, even if you just take him and watch for the first couple of weeks to get him used to the surroundings and all these new dogs, and perhaps when they do some heelwork you can sit with him in the middle for him to see the other dogs, aren't going to hurt him. Julie:)

Hi guest,
Yeah, i would agree with the others on this, no this is not fear aggression.....but, if you over react, make a big fuss everytime he is scared, instead of just ignoring it and taking it slowly, then it could become it. It is very very tempting to make a big fuss of them every time something frightening happens (like being chased by a bigger dog), unfortunately, instead of letting the dog know you care, it just rewards them for acting scared, adn can encourage them to do it again.

Good luck with your pup,

Emma

My GSD did this with others at first- she was a little co*bag:o She is my first- then she was *told off* by one of the older dogs- I was scared to death I thought the thing was going to savage her but it didn't it was literally a telling off- I wouldn't worry it sounds like he's been put in his place a bit and like a child (pup) he's sulking:rolleyes: ;)- he'll forget it in no time- maybe even be better with his elders in future instead of the gobby little s**t that GSD's can be:D :D :D :D

Stacey x x x

I REMEMBER TAKING SABRE MY 9 MONTH OLD GSD TO HIS FIRST CLASS ALL HE WOULD DO WAS HIDE UNDER THE CHAIRS AND WAS SCARED OF ALL THE OTHER PUPS BUT AFTER A WHILE HE STARTED TO PLAY. I WOULDNT WORRY HE ONLY A BABY.