GSD male, 1 year old, showing aggression toward new dogs!

Question
QUESTION: Hi there.  My male GSD, 1 year old since just about the last 2 months, has started showing some aggression toward new dogs that approach him!  His temperament is great otherwise.  He loves people of all kinds.  He gets along with his sisters, and dogs he knows.  He got his CGC at 6 months old, and had no problem with the meet and greet, but failed the meet and greet last weekend when I took him for his TDI testing! {Therapy Dog International}  He growled and when I took ahold of his collar and told him to stop, he kind of lunged after the other dog!  Any advice here?

ANSWER: He is maturing and taking over a larger role in protecting the pack.  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   It is quite possible to have dog that instantly executes its commands, but still thinks it is in charge.  Neutering him would be a good idea if not already.

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QUESTION: Hi again.  He has been in obedience since he was 12 weeks old.  We go every week to a advanced hobby class.  He is also a show dog, and it will be impossible to neuter him at this time.  He has his championship and we are working on his grand championship at this time.  Can you find these top dog books in the bookstore?  If so, I will pick one up immediately.  I need to get control of this.  I can't have him go after a dog at a dog show, which hasn't happened yet!  Thank God.  Thanks and hope to hear from you again soon.

Answer
Ah, what is a good book?  One person on another site always insisted any book was better than none.  Here is a list of what I am sure are good books although not all of them are right for you.  

Here is a list put together by the professionals at a dog guide school for those caring for their dogs.

The Cultural Clash by Jean Donaldson, 1996

Excel-crated Learning by Pamela Reid, 1996

Don't Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor, 1996

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1993

Second Hand dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1988

Dog Problems, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1989

Super Puppy, by Peter J. Vollmer, 1988

HELP, Mt dog Has an Attitude, by Gwen Bohnenkamp, 1994

Owners' Guide Better Behavior in Dogs and Cats, by William Campbell, 1989

What All Good dogs Should Know, By Wendy Vollmer, 1991

How to Raise a Dog When Nobody is Home, Jerry Kilmer, 1991

Through Otis' Eyes-Lessons from a Guide Dog Puppy, by Patricia Berlin Kennedy and Robert Christie, 1998

Puppy Primer, by Brenda K Skidmore and Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996

Beginning Family Dog Training, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996

Planet of the Blind-A Memoir, by Steven Kuusisto, 1998

The Other end of the Leash, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.

Successful Dog Breeding, by Chris Walkowicz, DMV, 1994

I have read Through Otis' Eyes, a fun children's book.  Planet of the Blind was hilarious.  The Other End of the Leash gives good insight into the person/dog interaction, but again not the book for you.  

Unfortunately, the bookstores I have looked at don't have any of them.  I would skip the Dog whisperer.  It contains the best of the 50's methods.  Remember his show is filmed in Hollywood.