When Otto (German Shepherd;, now 10 mos) was 7 months, he started jumping on me when outside and biting my arms and legs. I took him to a trainer who gave tips on controlling him and then bringing him inside for a "time out". For a while he was much better, but in the past two weeks the behavior has resumed. He is big and strong and trying to grab his collar to say "No!" only makes him bite my hand and squirm to get away. I turn my back to him when I see him coming, but he still bites my arms (it hurts!). I have found that carrying a walking stick when outside intimidates him (although I've never hit him, ever), so that is what I have to do. But I don't want to spend the next 10-12 years trying to defend myself in my own yard (he is fine inside). He also does this to a lesser extent with my husband, but he says "it's something he'll outgrow." I'm not so sure. Suggestions?
Aggression in the yard
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does he like toys? Something I do with my aussie (who is a big mouth barker when all 4 hit the door to go out) is tell him to go "find his ball" ,,something in the mouth, keeps his mouth quiet *vbg*
I also have had GSD's my entire life, aussies the last 7 years..My GSD's (and I've had many over the years) would get mouthy out of boredom and frustration, which was not to often.
If he's fine in the house, I'd start by "training" him to go "get something" in his mouth when you go outside..Actually, yelling and trying to grab him, probably "fires" him up more, (been there done that) ignoring and walking away can be a double edged sword to.
Just some ramblings
diane
I also have had GSD's my entire life, aussies the last 7 years..My GSD's (and I've had many over the years) would get mouthy out of boredom and frustration, which was not to often.
If he's fine in the house, I'd start by "training" him to go "get something" in his mouth when you go outside..Actually, yelling and trying to grab him, probably "fires" him up more, (been there done that) ignoring and walking away can be a double edged sword to.
Just some ramblings
diane
I agree with Spiritus. This dog is bored to death & so he is trying to engage you. The problem is that he doesn't care what kind of reaction he gets from you so long as he gets one. And once he gets a rise out of you, then the fun really begins.
This dog needs to be in an obedience class, taken for a walk/jog morning & evening (or put on a treadmill), & given toys that will stimulate him mentally (& for many of these things you will need to be involved in the playtime).
In my defense...
I think all three of you are right, but I would like to say that Otto has graduated from three obedience classes and is enrolled in an "All Around Town" socialization class that starts at the end of the month. He also gets walks (actually runs) in our woods just about every day. And we throw balls and sticks for him 2-3 times a day. He also has lots of great toys. But the point that I'm taking ( and agree with) is that this isn't enough. Of all the dogs we've had he's the most active (and of course now we're a good deal older ourselves). A friend with two dogs and I are working on getting our pets together for play sessions, which might help release some of Otto's energy.
I think all three of you are right, but I would like to say that Otto has graduated from three obedience classes and is enrolled in an "All Around Town" socialization class that starts at the end of the month. He also gets walks (actually runs) in our woods just about every day. And we throw balls and sticks for him 2-3 times a day. He also has lots of great toys. But the point that I'm taking ( and agree with) is that this isn't enough. Of all the dogs we've had he's the most active (and of course now we're a good deal older ourselves). A friend with two dogs and I are working on getting our pets together for play sessions, which might help release some of Otto's energy.
He is from a German line--a really gorgeous dog. And he was neutered at 6 mos. I think I just have to work harder at keeping him moving. It was just awful in March when the snow drifts had us all blocked in. We threw tennis balls against the garage door so he could chase something and also threw toys down the stairwell inside the house. He would run up and down like crazy retrieving them. It did help but he would get bored (us, too).
Try adding some stimulation for his brain. Buster cubes are good. I bought a tug-a-jug that my dogs love to play with. Tug-a-jug I would reccommend the large one for your GSD. A jolly ball, or other indestructable toy for out in the yard is always good. Keep lots of kong toys around. Anything you can stuff with food/treats offers him a good brain workout. Don't just feed him his meals out of a bowl, make him work for it. Even if all he does is 'puppy pushups', (sits and downs). Play tug games with him. Just keep his workout interesting. Don't always walk the same trails, or go to the same parks. The more stimulation you can offer the more he will wear out. Keep in mind he is still young though, don't over work him.
Also work on a 'settle' command. Reward him for going to his bed and settling down. When it rains and he can't play outside play indoor games. Teach him to close the door, or better yet, teach him to retrieve. You can give him odd jobs like going to get the newspaper or the mail. GSD's need to have a job and you can start out with simple tasks like that. Redyre wrote a good article on teaching the retrieve with a clicker. Good luck with him, I too have a busy body that HAS to do something.
Also work on a 'settle' command. Reward him for going to his bed and settling down. When it rains and he can't play outside play indoor games. Teach him to close the door, or better yet, teach him to retrieve. You can give him odd jobs like going to get the newspaper or the mail. GSD's need to have a job and you can start out with simple tasks like that. Redyre wrote a good article on teaching the retrieve with a clicker. Good luck with him, I too have a busy body that HAS to do something.
AHH, okay.........he needs a job then as outline pointed out! Make every effort possible to give him a good workout once a day. I own an ACD who gets to chase his tennis ball at the pond till his heart is content (the chuck-it ball thrower is the best invention ever!) and then we walk about 3 to 5 miles afterwards and on warm days I let him go for a swim. If Caiza didn't get as much mental and physical stimulation as he does he would tear my house apart and drive me nuts! LOL! good luck with your guy!! 
One thing to add besides the fact that he needs more 'work'...............alot of Dobes like to 'engage' the same way you are describing. I see it posted over and over that the "scream" and "yelp" method helps in this area too.
When he grabs you..........let out the biggest yelp like he has really hurt you badly, then go away from him. They claim that this has worked quite well. It is supposed to be similar to what puppies learn from one another during rough playing
Maybe it can work for you to
When he grabs you..........let out the biggest yelp like he has really hurt you badly, then go away from him. They claim that this has worked quite well. It is supposed to be similar to what puppies learn from one another during rough playing
Maybe it can work for you to
Thanks for the link to the Tug-a-Jug. I think I'll order it. We do have a treat ball that he likes, and he also works hard on marrow bones (although that's not much brain stimulation). The obedience class instructor warned against playing tug games unless we can win, which is hard for me to do with such a strong guy. He does love them, though. Thanks for all the advice, everyone!
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Though physical exhaustion is good, mental exhaustion for a breed bred to work is FAR better!
Make everything work to him. Make him think that obedience happens all the time. Even give him a command for when he's allowed to fetch and another for when he's allowed to play with other dogs. If he's been through 3 levels of obedience maybe you want to try something like agility with him. Keep him brain going all the time and you'll find you have a much better behaved pup.
Make everything work to him. Make him think that obedience happens all the time. Even give him a command for when he's allowed to fetch and another for when he's allowed to play with other dogs. If he's been through 3 levels of obedience maybe you want to try something like agility with him. Keep him brain going all the time and you'll find you have a much better behaved pup.
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One thing to add besides the fact that he needs more 'work'...............alot of Dobes like to 'engage' the same way you are describing. I see it posted over and over that the "scream" and "yelp" method helps in this area too.
When he grabs you..........let out the biggest yelp like he has really hurt you badly, then go away from him. They claim that this has worked quite well. It is supposed to be similar to what puppies learn from one another during rough playing
Maybe it can work for you to
When he grabs you..........let out the biggest yelp like he has really hurt you badly, then go away from him. They claim that this has worked quite well. It is supposed to be similar to what puppies learn from one another during rough playing
Maybe it can work for you to
I play tug AND I let my dog win. But that's because she knows I'm the boss in all other situations.
Okay im sorry some may not like this.
But any dog that does that to me is nailed and rolled down to the floor.
As a young dog before the dog gets bigger than me.
I use the very scary voice cause when they pull something as adults all I need to do is use that bad bad dog voice and they stop what ever they are doing. I make a OUCH voice when they jump so they know they are hurting mommy and that scares them.
I also train them to jump on me ON CUE on COMMAND when i want a hug so they get a chance to give a kiss but on my terms.
But any dog that does that to me is nailed and rolled down to the floor.
As a young dog before the dog gets bigger than me.
I use the very scary voice cause when they pull something as adults all I need to do is use that bad bad dog voice and they stop what ever they are doing. I make a OUCH voice when they jump so they know they are hurting mommy and that scares them.
I also train them to jump on me ON CUE on COMMAND when i want a hug so they get a chance to give a kiss but on my terms.
When this behavior first started (around 7 months), I did just that--"nailed him to the ground" and held him there for as long as I could. He was frantic, biting my hands and struggling to get up. When I did let him up, he jumped and bit me even more. At that point I hauled him into the house for a "time out". It was quite a workout physically as well as very emotionally upsetting. After that I rethought this forced submission (I think the Monks have also stopped recommending it) and haven't done it since.
In the past week (since I first posted) I have been interacting with Otto every day about 50% more, not just doing our runs in the woods but also bushwhacking (i.e., stumbing around) into uncharted areas. This is good exercise for me, too! I also have been filling his treat ball more often and walking about a mile every day on our dirt road with his Gentle Leader on. I also bought him a small chewy ball that he's addicted to when outside, which is a great distraction from chewing on me. I've continued issuing his usual obedience commands (sit, down, stay). I have seen a great improvement in his behavior, which means that all of your comments are right on and incredibly useful. Yeah, chazhound!!!
In the past week (since I first posted) I have been interacting with Otto every day about 50% more, not just doing our runs in the woods but also bushwhacking (i.e., stumbing around) into uncharted areas. This is good exercise for me, too! I also have been filling his treat ball more often and walking about a mile every day on our dirt road with his Gentle Leader on. I also bought him a small chewy ball that he's addicted to when outside, which is a great distraction from chewing on me. I've continued issuing his usual obedience commands (sit, down, stay). I have seen a great improvement in his behavior, which means that all of your comments are right on and incredibly useful. Yeah, chazhound!!!
Great to see results, I use the rolling as pup to teach respect.
Thus I have never had a reason to force them to submit as adults.
What you did or ouch bad voice is enough.
But my breed has little to no prey drive so that may explain why it works for me. And with the size of my guys we cant take risks .
Thus I have never had a reason to force them to submit as adults.
What you did or ouch bad voice is enough.
But my breed has little to no prey drive so that may explain why it works for me. And with the size of my guys we cant take risks .