Some advice needed please!!

Hello everyone,
I was googling for some advice and came along this website which looks great.
I have a 4 year old GSD who we have got from a puppy when my dad passed away. He was didnt show any signs of aggression and we took him to puppy classes, where another dog went for him and everytime we took him back he was a real handfull. We noticed a change in his behaviouur when he was about 1 and would have a go at my friends when they came round and strangers. We have tried 3 behaviourists and he was always good as gold when they came round. But to cut a long story short as Il be here all night , He has being going to kennels when me and mum go away and he was there over new years and attacked two ladies who he knows, so they will not have him back. I contacted a breeder in my area who has been so helpful and turned out she has Jaspers dad and she knew the litter and two that she knows off have been put down due to bad behaviour. He is fine with mum and me and I feel so guilty as he is our responsability and could we have made him this way. I contacted the army but he is too old for them to train as he is 4. I will try anything as I love him with all my heart.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Are you saying you want to re home???

will the breeder not have him back???

Hi
I have a previously aggressive GSD who is OK now ( although I do have to take care she doesn`t feel anxious).
Many people on here have rehabilitated or are retraining challenging dogs, so don`t feel there is nothing you can do.
However, this post needs to be in Training and Behaviour so we can reply properly.
Perhaps you can copy and paste it into that section?
Welcome to Dogsey.

Hello everyone,
I was googling for some advice and came along this website which looks great.
I have a 4 year old GSD who we have got from a puppy when my dad passed away. He was didnt show any signs of aggression and we took him to puppy classes, where another dog went for him and everytime we took him back he was a real handfull. We noticed a change in his behaviouur when he was about 1 and would have a go at my friends when they came round and strangers. We have tried 3 behaviourists and he was always good as gold when they came round. But to cut a long story short as Il be here all night , He has being going to kennels when me and mum go away and he was there over new years and attacked two ladies who he knows, so they will not have him back. I contacted a breeder in my area who has been so helpful and turned out she has Jaspers dad and she knew the litter and two that she knows off have been put down due to bad behaviour. He is fine with mum and me and I feel so guilty as he is our responsability and could we have made him this way. I contacted the army but he is too old for them to train as he is 4. I will try anything as I love him with all my heart.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Hi There,

I dont really know what the solution could be, i really dont want to re home him where he could get mistreated.

Cant locate the breeder as she has moved.

Thanks for your response

Hi Claire,

That is A real comfort to hear as at the moment he is taking over our lives. I dont want to re home him as you never know what could or happen to him.

I have now moved my post, thanks for that.

Thanks again

Perhaps someone can recommend a local trainer if you say what area you can travel to? (Mine is in Essex which is too far).

In the meantime:
safety: muzzle your dog if he is going to be in a situation where he might react.
Don`t put him in a position where he needs to react - when visitors come, put him in a closed room or on a lead for now.
When out, if you see him getting anxious at the approach of a dog or person, turn away from that trigger, move to a distance where your dog stops looking anxious, then put him in a sit and reward. You are therefore rewarding the Sit, not the reacting.
Back to Basics: work on your basic training. This will improve your control , and his confidence. Use rewards, praise and play to increase his enjoyment of training.

Specific exercises while you`re looking for a trainer:

Watch Me! This is invaluable with a reactive dog. Hold a treat by your face, say Watch Me, give the treat when he looks at you. Repeat often until it becomes an automatic response. Then you can use it when out.

Behind Sit: Train your dog to sit behind the line of your leg, not in front or beside. That way, you are between him and any threat, and he should begin to allow you to take charge to possible threats.

Avoidance is essential IMO. It is better to turn and walk your dog away from a confrontation than to faff about trying to control a lunging dog. Apologise later. Walk away now.

Perhaps you could tell us more about his current behaviour?
And post piccies?

Can you let us know what the behaviourist has recommended and what you have tried so far?

My first thoughts are

1. Safety - use a basket muzzle

2. Getting people who are strangers (that you know, not the dog) to pass by at a distance (start off about 6ft) and throw a tasty treat (liver?)

3. when you are walking him and a stranger walks by him treat him

What have the other people said about what triggers the agression?

Thank you very much, When we are out and we see a dog approaching we always sit to the side and let them pass anfd he is getting better with that.
If we have any visitors to the house he is locked away in a room that leads staright outside and he has the run of the garden.
He was fine with a friend whilst they were playing ball but as son as they came in the house he went for her, so now we dont ever put him or a visitor in that position.

Hi there,
Thank you for your reply. We do use a basket muzzle but have started to not use that when we take him for a walk but take it with us.
The behaviourist just teached us the basics about being the alpha and not eating after him but before him, walk through the door first and let him follow. He brought jasper in with a muzzle on whilst the behaviourist sat there not making eye contact and he just sat down next to him.
It has just concerned me that the kennels that he has been to many times wont have him back as he went for the ladies that he is used too and spent time with.
The main triggers are visitors and other dogs. He is fine with me and mum.
Thanks again for your reply. I will try anything to try and help him.