Aggressive dog

[CazzyB1995]

I've got a 3 year old white GSD, had him since he was 14 weeks old.

At first he was amazing, loved everybody, loved walks. Everything. At 8 months he snapped and tried to go for a young girl. Obviously straight away we looked into behaviourists that could help. Went to his first class on his first birthday, after 2 weeks she cut her ties with us. Then got somebody else who then told us our dog was too difficult.

By this time our dog was snapping and lunging at strangers and other dogs, they just need to look at him and he goes crazy.

Fast forward to now. Have spoken to 20+ behaviourists who have all said they can't or we're too far or its going to cost £300+ per session which I can't afford. We also can't take him for walks anymore and taking him out for a pee is a big challenge as we have to see if neighbours are in and close gates. We have spoken to the vet and we now have 2 options. Rehome him but we don't want to put his problems onto someone else, or PTS which the vets said would be the nicest thing as white GSD are so common for agression issues. What would you do?

Try NILIF first and muzzle train.
If that doesn't work I would PTS

What have the behaviourists said to do? Is it fear aggression, guarding, what?

k9deb.com/nilif/

NILIF method ^

Obviously don't allow any interaction with other people/dogs etc either

At this point it's unlikely you'd be able to find any rescues willing to take this dog on and rehoming privately would be irresponsible.

I agree with @MustardScreams, what have the behaviourists you have seen said about him? I presume he's been fully vet checked to make sure there's no medical reasons for his behaviour?

Have the behaviourists you've reached out to been fully accredited and registered with the ABTC?

You need a good accredited behaviourist not a class or wannabe trainers, muzzle train is your priority.

PTS, sorry
If you send him to rescue he won’t be rehomed as he’s too dangerous so he will be stuck in kennels wondering what’s going on for ages, if but forever.
Sooner or later he will bite someone and then will be seized, stuck in kennels (see above) before being PTS.
If you choose to do it it will be done as calmly as possible and at a time and place of your choosing ( within reason)
Being PTS isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a dog

He sounds very like my GSD. He is medicated, and I ‘manage’ him. We have a secure ‘safe room’ in our house, and I hire a secure field to walk him.
I love him dearly, and although far from ideal, and not what I imagined, I would not consider pts, unless he was a threat to anyone else living under my roof.

This is so sad but I think that you either absolutely throw yourself into positive reinforcement training with an accredited behaviourist which will cost and there is no magic wand and no guarentees. This will take serious time and effort but is by no means impossible or unfortunately euthanasia. This dog does not sound like it will cope well in a kennel environment and it will only make the anxiety that is behind the aggression worse. Many shelters will not be able to rehome because it is too great a risk should someone get bitten.

Hello everyone. Just an update to your questions.

Yes we've been to plenty of behaviourists including vet recommended ones and they've basically said it's fear agression and fear based anxiety most likely developed from his mother. I've been working with the vets for months and months and have spent hundreds in equipment and classes. My whole time is revolved around him. If I go out, I have a timer so I don't leave him for too long, I no longer go to family days because I can't leave him and I can't bring him along.

Unfortunately after exhausting all options, he will be PTS this Thursday :( I just feel so crap about it

Have you spoken to a rescue that specifically works with GSD? I strongly advise you do this before going through with Thursday.

www.germanshepherdrescue.co.uk

They have a wealth of experience and amazing resources to call upon. Rescues will take on dogs who have aggression issues. Whereabouts are you located?

Yes I have. Nobory will take on a dog like mine and I'm so frustrated. I live in the Scottish borders

I contacted GSR and they put me in contact with someone near me from them and they couldn't help me

They said they wouldn't rehome him and that he only does classes, doesn't do one to one

As a vet nurse, I don't really think you have a choice. Also,he isn't happy he is neurotic and wired. You couldn't have done any more.

A devastating decision for You to make but the kindest thing really.

Sounds like he may suffer the consequences of inbreeding issues. I have the same problem with my Shiloh Shepherd. I bought her from a breeder in the Netherlands, and unfortunately the gene l was too small. She is great with my family, but not other dogs and I certainly wouldn’t trust her with little kids. (She’s also huge!) Not the traits I envisioned in a dog bred to be a calm, almost bulletproof assistance dog. (She also has a heart murmur, so we had the threat of GSDiva hanging over us as well...) 🤬

Oh gosh I am so frustrated for you too. They would definitely be much more proactive where I live. So sorry.

My neighbour fosters GS and has said to contact:

www.german-shepherd-rescue-hampshire.org.uk

As they may be able to advise - especially on who to speak to who may be closer to you.

Bloody sad :(

He also has a heart murmur and an Umbilical hernia. He was neutered when he was 1 as advised by vets but everyone's saying that would've made him worse

Sending my love for you for tomorrow

I think this way you still have some control over his life, and can be with him at his last moments and make it as pleasant and un-scary as possible.

He won't know what is happening, give him all his favourite treats, lots of hugs and then he will go to sleep held by his favourite person. You will be the last thing he hears, sees and smells. It will be the kindest thing for him