My dog is getting reactive with dogs - help!

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I have a 2 year old male GSD. I had him neutered at 18 months, partly due to the fact that other entire males were becoming aggressive with him. He has never started anything but now approaches dogs very cautiously, tail up, stiff and tense. As soon as they relax and indicate play, he's great, but he is ready to defend himself. Today, 2 entire male dogs, in separate incidents, have approached him, squared up and growled, and he has gone for them. He doesn't put his teeth on them but it's noisy and frightening.

I know I'm biased but he's as soft as butter and I hate seeing him becoming so defensive, when he was such a lovely, well socialised dog. He's well trained so I can put him on lead and avoid dogs if I need to, but that depends on the other dog being under control (today I did this and the other dog just kept following us growling). I'm so upset and cross - he will get a reputation as he is the big dog, when he and I have done nothing wrong!

He is absolutely fine and friendly with other dogs, literally never starts anything, he's just become really quick to react to any hint of aggression from the other dog. Any advice greatly appreciated.

I think it's the breed. Or more the nature of the breed. I have a Rottweiler who loves to guard just as a gsd does. He was exactly as you describe your dog to be.

I always made sure that I was calm when other dogs were near by. If you're not calm, your dog won't be.

Praise and treat when he's well behaved.

My dog just grew out of it tbh. I think we just accepted he would be hit and miss with other dogs.

Thank you - you're right I'm sure. Always had gun dog breeds previously and they just play or run away!

I try to be really calm, often greet the approaching dog(!) and keep walking along. I'm just gutted I think, that these other fucking dogs have done this. He's had the best start imaginable, from conception to now, raw fed, trained, socialised etc and he's potentially going to have issues with other dogs now!

Think I'm just ranting! What do you actually do when another dog is squaring up to yours? When they sort of freeze?

I feel your pain with this as I have two GSD, one had a bad experience with a dog biting her and now she goes for the fight first, and the other would never start a fight but would defend himself. They both started off fine but years of being jumped on and nipped at the ankles has changed them.

To be honest now I don't take chances with other dogs. I don't want other people's untrained dogs approaching or running around mine and so I put mine on leads and tell people not to let their dogs approach. If the dog still comes I will block it and shout at the owner. I think it's safer for my dogs this way so they don't get put in a situation where they could be hurt or hurt something. I found the female especially has relaxed a little knowing I will make sure she is okay and she does not have to decide if the dog is nice or not.

Obviously I do let them socialise with dogs, friends and family and sometimes dogs I meet that I know are friendly and sensible but I never let them mix with strange dogs I don't know anything about

I just distract my dog. Make him snap out of it by pulling the lead or giving a treat. It doesn't always work and sometimes he barks/growls but all you can do is make sure they don't actually fight and apologise.

People with similar dogs don't mind and it's only people who are anti Rottweiler anyway look very smug but I don't care.

My annoyance is at the people who have 'family friendly dogs' like Labradors who don't seem to think their dog could ever be vicious and so don't watch them and they come over to my dog and either I can't see the owner to ask him to keep away or the owner is too distracted on their phone. The worst one is 'oh he's fine, you don't need to worry' when I can sense they are not happy and both standing ready to pounce with hackles up.

I now have DD and thinking about it, he doesn't do it if she is on the walk.

Thank you, that's really helpful. I sort of know that's a good plan but it feels like once I start doing that things could get worse. It's fine most of the time but the odd bad dog does the damage. Guess it isn't worth the risk, bloody other owners. Thank you, feel better for talking about it!

It has been a male black lab more than once! I need to step in sooner I think, thanks

GSD are beautiful, loyal, intelligent dogs, but also well known for being dominant and having problems with other dogs. Working lines have been breed for protection/guarding, show lines for physical attributes, there aren't many lines breed for the temperament requirements of a pet. As you say you have given him the best start, socialisation and training, but the behaviour your are seeing may be his nature and I'm not sure you can train it out of him, you can only manage it. What were the background of his parents?

The bad behaviour of other dog owners which, would have been annoying with your previous gun dogs will now become a big issue you need to manage to prevent injury to your or others dogs.

Although our lab has played with many GSD pups, I have yet to see a mature GSD off lead playing with other dogs while out walking, they always seem to be on lead with the owner struggling to keep control of such a big dog and other dog owners avoiding.

I think with this breed of dog you should be looking at managing the environment he is in (only let off lead in areas were he'll only meet known/tested dogs, try to train reaction/use head collar for control when on lead), as due to his natural temperament, fixing it might not be possible.

I'm reluctant to put that much control onto him at this stage, as he has many dog friends and plays often with unknown dogs. It's just the psychological damage being done by the odd unknown dog. His recovery rate is very poor (as per the breed I know!). We live rurally and spend much time out and about with him, with children and without. To make such drastic changes to his management can only be detrimental to him, and his welfare surely?

I understand it's about risk, I will get a head collar (always have treats) and start yelling at people if necessary to protect him! Thank you, I appreciate your advice but would feel devastated to have to live like that with him at this stage.

Can you go back to your breeder for help/support? Most reputable GSD breeders will support you with advice for the life of the dog if you are having issues.

What was the background of the dogs parents? Were they working or show line dogs? What was the temperament of the parents, this might help you understand the temperament of your dog.

Bliimey OP sorry to sound rude to the other posts but there has been some bollocks suggestions given on this thread.

It is not a breed trait, it can been changed, your dog is not being dominant, your dog will not snap out of it.

Your GSD sound fear aggressive to me, he as learnt that to be reactive the other dogs will go away.He is a clever intelligent dog and to be honest his approach does work - but it is not acceptable in our society.

You will need to manage interactions and let him have hundreds of positive interaction, be prepared to turn away from dogs you do not know. It is your responsibility to him to prevent him from being put into a situation that he has to act aggressively.

You will also need to speak to a trained dog behaviourist who will give you clear management plans and also behaviour plan to follow to help your dog regain his confidence in these situations.

APDT or ABDC will be a good place to start. Be careful with GSD or police trainers - there are some fantastic ones but as soon as they say dominant run for the hills

Absolutely agree with Cheerfulmarybrown.

I have had a rescue GSD and a first cross rescue myself, the pure bred would guard if given the ok from me, but unless I indicated I needed her to she'd be happy to stand down, iyswim. The crossbreed was never really into guarding, although that could have been down to her mix. She was totally aloof with other dogs, would say hello if they approached, but completely ignore them otherwise. Neither would be actively aggressive, even if the other dog showed signs of aggression, they would just offer some calming signals and move away.

The reason you don't see so many GSD's out playing with other dogs has nothing to do with aggression, but more to them tending towards choosing their humans' company over other dogs. They bond very strongly and often actively choose to stay with their person, rather than play with other dogs. Both mine were sociable to other dogs within our family group (our other dogs and those of my PILs and SIL) but really couldn't be bothered with any dogs outside of that group.

There are of course, always the cases where someone has picked the breed for it's reputation and others' reaction to it and fail to adequately train, socialise, exercise and stimulate their dog, resulting in them then ending up with an adult they do struggle with and can't let off the lead etc, but in my experience, they are far less popular as a breed than they were and for the most part this type of thing has moved onto other breeds who are now getting similar undeserved reputations, when in actual fact it's the owners, not the dogs that are at fault.

First thing you need is a full check-up at the vet, then a referral to a qualified, completely positive behaviourist. Try The APBC for a behaviourist that your vet can refer you to - and some insurers will cover at least some of the costs for and The IMDT for a totally force-free trainer in your area.

Also, if you are in their area - Surrey (I'm not much to my chagrin, because I would seriously love to take one of my dogs there) try Dog Communication. I know of several people that have been there and had great results with the help of their teaching dogs and carefully selected classes.

Absolutely avoid anyone that starts banging on about packs or dominance or suggests check/choke chains or any other punitive device to 'increase control'. You lad needs to be gently given his confidence back and that will only happen through steady, effective, force-free training and re-socialisation.

Thank you thank you

I feel better now, I will let you know how it goes.

Breeding btw - pet dog which are shown fairly successfully. All new owners were interviewed before the mum was even in season and met mum. Dad was a long way away but seen photos and details. Breeder very much involved in all the pups even now (she has only bred 2 litters, each to add to her pets, she now has 3). She is not an expert trainer, though will want to help.