German Shepherd aggression

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have 4 year old male German Shepherd that I rescued for a rehoming center. He is excellent with all humans but has aggression issues with dogs, especially the same sex. He has never inflicted actual harm but has a habit of pinning dogs with his mouth. The 1st time he did it, it was a male GS of a similar age and he jumped up on his back and grabbed him with his mouth in between its shoulders. Then today he grabbed a black lab puppy by the head. He never growls or bites so hard that it punctures the skin, just holds them. But obviously this is alarming to eveyone else and we have to physically remove him or he just stays there holding the dog in his mouth. Is this a sign of aggression? and if so what should we be doing to stop this behaviour?

ANSWER: This is a dominance behavior. First your dog must learn that YOU are the dominant one and therefore if anybody is to be pinning or rolling people, it's your job not his. Read my article at http://www.thegooddogjournal.com/2009/02/whos-boss-establishing-pack-leadership. and follow the tips there carefully.

As long as your dog encounters other dogs that are going to submit to his domination, all should be well, though you risk traumatizing puppies at sensitive stages. One day, however, he will run into a dog that doesn't want to submit and you will have an all out dog fight on your hands.

It also sounds like your dog isn't well socialized and doesn't know how to greet other dogs appropriately. Dominance can be established through eye contact and body posture without resorting to rudeness and he apparently hasn't learned this. The cure is obviously more socialization but when a dog is acting a fool it's hard to want to do that. Introducing dogs on a leash is tricky because the leash often interferes with body postures which is how dogs communicate. I suggest, if possible, having him meet a variety of different dogs through a fence. When he is approaching a dog politely, head level, eyes askance, body relaxed, praise him (no treats, this could encourage food aggression) and when he is tense, head high, with a snarl, pucker or what I call the "maniacal grin" call him away and distract him for a minute and then try again. Don't scold or punish because this will just make him nervous.

Most dogs learn all this stuff when they are puppies and so this sort of intervention isn't necessary but since he didn't, he'll need your guidance. I suggest doing some searching and reading up on dog communication and body language to get an idea of what you should be looking for and praising or distracting away from.

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

QUESTION: Thanks for all your hep it is most appreciated and i will definately start to ensure he knows who the boss is!

Just as a thought should we be muzzling Max when we take him out? Or should we be avoiding places like dog parks until he is better behaved?

Many thanks

Esther

Answer
I wouldn't take him to a dog park until you've got him under better control. As for the muzzle, if it makes you feel more comfortable out on walks and things, by all means use one. If you are nervous the dog will be more nervous. But use a cage type or basket muzzle, not the wrap around kind.