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WILL HE BITE??

19 17:31:18

Question
QUESTION: I HAVE A GSD I BELIEVE HE IS A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS OLD.
MY DOG HAS NEVER BIT ANYONE OF US IN THE FAMILY... NOT EVEN NIP OR PLAY BITE ... BUT HE ONLY LOVES US!! HE BARKS AT ANYONE ELSE THAT COMES NEAR OUR HOUSE. MY QUESTION IS EVEN THOUGH HE HAS NEVER BIT ANY OF US .. DOES HE STILL KNOW HOW TO BITE? I MEAN DO THEY KNOW BY INSTINCT?? COULD HE BITE A GUEST IF WE LET HIM OUT ??

ANSWER: At that age it will take a lot of work.  Go ahead and have him neutered.  Obedience train him.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

Once he accept you as the leader, bring him out to the guest.  Watch hi ears.  If they are back or down, better keep him back from the guest.  If so, you may have to try a private trainer of behaviorist.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: so if his ears are back or down i should keep him away?? what do the ears down mean? and if they are up then its ok to socialize him with the guest??

Answer
The ears down and back mean fear.  Beware of the teeth bared in aggression.  If he still reacts that way to visitors, he still needs more work.  Caution visitors not to look him in the eye, or let him see their teeth.  Dogs see that as a threat or challenge.