Protective not necessarily aggressive german shepherd

4dogs3cats · 01-18-2008, 05:06 PM

This is Chance. He lives with a german shepherd collie mix, 2 beagles, and 3 cats. He has never hurt any of them. He has an issue when it comes to other dogs when we are out. He barks at them. He stars with a low growl, then changes to barking and trying to lunge towards them. I know that he is just protecting me. He was not socialized AT ALL with other dogs when he was a puppy. Up until about 6 months he never left my backyard. he had parvo at 7 weeks, and I wanted to keep him nice and safe for a while, but in that process, I sheltered him too much. What is the best way to teach him to be okay. i take him to petsmart and walk him there a lot and stuff, but should i risk taking him to the dog park?

TooneyDogs · 01-18-2008, 07:12 PM

Did you train him to protect you or is he resource guarding (you are the resource). If it's resource guarding, how is he with other things...food, toys, bed? How does he react to other dogs at Petsmart?

4dogs3cats · 01-18-2008, 07:21 PM

he barks at them and tries to pull me to them. They usually get scared and pull their dogs away. I didnt train him anything, but he is VERy protective of me. maybe I am his resource. My friend flew in for the week and she stayed in the opposite wing of the house, and every morning when she would come out of her room he would go charging down the hallway barking fiercely at her. She would have to say "CHANCE NO!" and he would stop and walk over to her and stuff. I dont know why he does this... but what should I do. I want to take him to the dog park and walk him around outside so he can see the dogs but not get to them, and prasie him when he behaves.

TooneyDogs · 01-18-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4dogs3cats

I want to take him to the dog park and walk him around outside so he can see the dogs but not get to them, and prasie him when he behaves.

You need to show him that other dogs are good things not bad things that he needs to try and chase away. Start out quite a ways from the park...close enough for him to see the dogs. If he reacts (stiffens, stares intentlly) stop there...before a growl and treat. Act calm..nothing to be concerned about... Move closer when he starts getting the idea that good things are happening in the presence of other dogs. If he growls..move further away and start again.

4dogs3cats · 01-18-2008, 08:27 PM

I am trying that tomorrow.. I will post an update then