I have a German Shepard

[bollingerrj]

I have a 10 month old shepard, just got him. I was told by the previous owners that he did bite someone. But he was in a crate when it happened. So anyway right now when I approach him he runs away, he won't let me pet him ,can't even get close to to give him a bone . Today I tried to talk to him and approach him but he ran and at one point grouled at me. So I would like some suggestions , any welcome.

[divegirl]

Hi, are you an experienced dog handler? If the answer is no then why on earth did you take on a dog that had already shown signs of aggression if you didn't know how to deal with it?!?!?!?!? I'm off to work now, but hopefully Lankeela or the like will be along to answer this 'Q' more fully.

Lisa

[auldyin]

Ignore him and let him come to you. Don't be in such a hurry to pet him, you're alarming him. He will soon come to accept you and you will have a great pal.

[kita1]

Don't give him a bone! If he is aggressive with food you will have problems and if he gets a bit stuck in his mouth you will have MAJOR problems.

How long have you had him?

You will find this link interesting and may give you some tips, it is about a GSD with similar problems to yours: http://www.druidalegsd.karoo.net/shadow.htm

I would start off with food, get him to come to you for food.

I would also, if you can, get him checked out by a vet asap.

DO NOT ever back him into a corner, make sure he can get away from you at all times. That is why he bit when he was in the crate, what other option did he have!

This will take alot of time and effort, as in the above story. That lady is an experienced dog trainer/breeder and has lots of other GSD's and she came to the point of putting her GSD to sleep.

Good luck, I really hope you succeed, if you feel you are not up to it please, please get help and possibly rehome this boy to someone who knows what they are doing.

[lankeela]

Any advice offered is given in good faith. My initial reaction is to say take him back to where you got him. If you are unwilling/unable, then you have to decide what you are prepared to accept from him. I suggest you try keeping him confined in one room or a small space, and spend a lot of time just sitting in there with him, watching tv or reading a book, and ignoring him. Just let him get used to you being around, avoid eye contact and maybe throw him a bit of food (chicken or something tasty) now and again or put your plate down so he can take food off it. If you can get a lead on him, let him wear it and trail it round. Pick it up and follow him round, don't pull on it, just let him relax and don't make a big thing of trying to handle him.

If he should be aggressive, and come at you, then you seriously need to consider whether it is safe to keep him. If he panics when you are near him, but doesn't try to bite, then maybe you can get round him. Decide how long you are prepared to put up with this, if he hasn't come round in a week then you need to seriously think about his future.
Remember your own safety and that of your family/friends is very important, and no dog should be allowed to put you in danger. There are too many nice dogs needing homes to allow one that is dangerous to make your life a misery (and his). Good for you for trying, but please be sensible about the future.

[saffyjay]

I have a dalmatian who is so afraid of people. I got him from my aunt who had him from a pup and he is just very timid. I went round to my aunts everyday for 6 months and he still wouldnt come near me, it was just a case of him getting used to me. Anyway my husband and i said we would take him cause my aunt couldnt cope any more. Once home i never forced anything upon him, i put his food down in a sutiable place that he could get to at all times whether i was there or not, dogs will not let theselves starve. I belive that once Ziggy understood who was the hand that fed him this helped, i would walk around my house as normal and just ignore him he soon began to follow me around. I never made eye contact with him and never stud firmly in front of him, i would always be at an angle. let the dog come to you.

Of course all dogs are different and i cant be sure mine is the same as yours but dogs bite to protect themselves in a pack just because its not acceptable in a human pack it doesnt mean that the dog will understand this. What im trying to say is that just because a dog bites it doesnt mean its vicious. Lots of time and patience is needed. Ive had Ziggy 2 and a half years now he has biten people that have startled him but people need to learn arond dogs too, it also takes him about a day of constant contact with someone in my house before he lets them stroke him, which is a great improvement.

Anyway sorry if i have gone on just wanted to share my experience, from this site you will notice that i have other problems to overcome with my hounds that i have not worked out yet its just time, love and patience i suppose. Do whats right for you but to many dogs are given up on because people think their bad when all they want to do is protect themselves.
Take care