Agressive behavior

Question
Hello there :) I am writing you from B.C. Canada.
We have a 13 month old male intact purebred /pure black German Shepherd Dog his name is Jorn..(in German that means "Vigilant Watchman") ...He is really a wonderful dog,and extremly smart he learns very quickly and is very devoted to myself and my husband who he has picked out as his "favorite" we also have a very sweet tempered black lab she is 9 and wouldn't hurt a flea..we did also till this fall have gallant Irish Wolfhound who we sadly lost to bloat when he was but 3 1/2 ...he left a huge hole in our hearts :(
Both theese dogs had..and have had a part in raising Jorn as we got him when he was about 8/9 weeks old...(he flew by plane from a couple provinces away)
Now...the problem seems to be that Jorn is becoming aggresive with other dogs...he barks at them from his kennel when the pass by and if out for walk of lead if we come across a dog he will run up and "bite" at them...
We always when not with us keep the dogs in a nice kennel/run outside...Jorn has managed to get out on occasion,yesterday being one of them. Unknown to us he chased a girl (she is 8) who was walking her small breed dog,it seemed Jorn was after her pup and when she picked it up to walk away he bite her in the back of the leg...not breaking the skin but still scareing her quite badly. He father came over to let us know....by this time we had Jorn back in the kennel as we had seen he was loose,but had no idea of what had happened.The father was very understanding,he said he knew we always had Jorn in a kennel and since he had not broke any skin and the girl was shakin but not really hurt,he just wanted to let us know.
The thing is...we can keep him on a halter run in the kennel till we have it fixed so he can not for sure get out...but we do not want him to be come even more aggrssive toward children and other dogs like that.He tends to be a little shy by nature,and not really intrested in other people outside our family (we have no small children in the family)
Jorn if of lead will come quick to heel as well I should mention..when out walking it is when we are "suprised" by other dogs that he runs them.
Should all this be of concern...or do we just need to wait for him to mature?
We understand German Shepherds to be guard dogs...but hope also not to have a "biter"
I believe that had the litle girl been an adult...Jorn would not have reacted this way...but am not positive..

Thank-you for any insight you may have on this.

Answer
Tammy
Shepherds are natural protectors of loved ones but not to the point of chasing other dogs or biting people.
THis is bad and your highly lucky a law suit did not occur for people can sue for a bruise from dogs for alot of suffering, etc.
If u do not get in control of this dog and become its BOSS AND LEADER AND TEACH OR TRAIN HIM rid of him to a home or person that can handle him properly.
This is what gives Shepherds bad raps is people that do not train and raise their dogs properly to behave, be socialized and friendly towards other people, and dogs. There is absolutely no reason for this dog to be going after other dogs.  Had it be raised properly it would pay no attention to dogs in general.  visit www.dogsbestfriend.com and buy the Monks videos or books and read how to raise your pet.

Kind Regards
Patt
www.schreknhaus.com