Is this thread really still going on

Clearly!!

Are you anywhere near to Marie Miller, at Pawsnlearn?

Only she is very GSD experienced and also very good at helping aggressive dogs if the owners are committed

Be careful of some GSD only clubs/classes - some (not all) can be very old fashioned and will just recommend jerking him about and punishment without getting to the nitty grity of the behaviour. That is bad, because it's hiding the problem, which will almost certainly appear one day again later on.

Wys
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Gnasher does not have GSDs............

Do You Think "it's Off Her Chest Yet?"

I have only GSDs and would stay well clear fo the GSD training clubs in and around the West MIdlands for the most part. There is only one that I would ever consider going to but certainly not for DA issues, only for basic obedience.

The vast majority of GSD classes are "old school" and don't often use or promote positive methods.

Having said that, of course if the nearest one to Gnasher does use positive methods, not punishment and dragging the dog around a feild walking to heel for an hour once a week, then it can't hurt to visit the class, talk to the trainers and see how they can help. It coudl be that they refuse any dog that isn't a GSD. Or they may accept other breeds if business has goen down because of the recession and finances.

Even if the GSD club isn't what Gnasher is looking for, they may be able to recommend another trainer/club who can help.

I know SB but she is talking about possibly going to a mostly GSD class ...

Wys
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DO you have dog insurance? They could well pay out for behavioural 1 to 1 help

Classes can be good - but not all trainers can cope with a dog with aggression - especially in a class situation

I will google her Wys, anyone you recommend I am sure would be excellent! I agree with what you say about some GSD clubs, but I do have knowledge of this one via someone who lives in our village, and I know the classes to be OK. The last thing Ben needs needs is to be punished ... jerking is an absolute no-no, eventually he would turn on the handler, he won't tolerate rough handling because he thinks he is going to be beaten, as clearly happened in the past. What works with Ben is lateral thinking - I do believe he is even more clever than his father. For instance, if he has jumped up on the sofa, as he did this morning, and this strictly is not allowed, rather than taking him by the collar, I stand beside his rear end, tap gently on his bottom whilst snapping my fingers and pointing at the floor with a firm "Down!". This works a treat, one thing you do not do with that dog is to try and control him with strength, you will end up the frustrated loser. The only issue we now have with him is his DA, particularly with solid dark coloured dogs. He is fine with all small dogs, all bitches regardless of colour, but large male dogs, particularly dark ones, he can be very verbally aggressive with.

I'm off to google Marie now - thanx Wys.

Hey, thanx for that. The club I have in mind will welcome other dogs of a similar type, so Ben should be fine. I agree entirely with what you say about the handling, the last thing we need here is aggressive handling. The raison d'etre behind me thinking of a GSD class is because most GSD's are robust enough to not be intimimated by Ben, who will be muzzled of course, and won't stand any nonsense from him should he "start". It is essential that we start socialising Ben once more, and it seemed to me to be at least a good starting point.