Understanding the potential for aggression or danger in an animal isn’t the same as expecting that animal to be violent or dangerous. You can look at the book Training Your German Shepherd on Amazon to get more tips about how you can train your GSD. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'thegermanshepherder_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_24',124,'0','0'])); The same applies to yelling or scolding harshly. Yes, a German Shepherd can kill you. But just make sure again that the person understands that this is all new to the puppy and that they should interact with the puppy only in the ways that you instruct them. If you want your GSD to join the Schutzhund training or German training system, start familiarizing him with German commands like these. This is ok – praise your puppy for asking politely. Fighting back should be a last resort, because it can make a dog attack more ferocious. I'm originally from Indiana, though I've lived in many different states and traveled extensively. So now this is another attempt and nothing more. Stay on your feet and fight back if needed. Because if a person gets too rough or does anything to scare the puppy, it will have the opposite effect of what you are trying to accomplish. This process is taught to the puppy starting with the mother and litter mates until 8 weeks or so of age — which is why you should never remove a puppy from its mother and litter mates before 7 weeks. Aside from the obvious signs like snarling, gnashing their teeth, and lunging at you, how else can you tell when a GSD might attack? I've owned and trained German Shepherds for over 18 years now. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'thegermanshepherder_com-leader-3','ezslot_19',117,'0','0'])); But if you start to flail and run away, the dog’s hunting instincts will kick in and they will give chase. Despite having multiple dogs (including two german shepherds) throughout my life, I can tell you that a German Shepherd can attack its owner family. One ill-tempered German Shepherd shouldn’t make the rest look bad. I learned from that point on exactly how important it is to introduce my German Shepherd to every conceivable type of person that I’m able to. It's easy to trained your Dog to protect from attacking some to protect you. Your dog loves you and has limitless forgiveness toward you – you should have the same attitude. So, if you ever read about a German Shepherd attacking a human being, it was because the dog was trained to attack, not because the dog is mean. So it’s very important to get them used to all things possible from a very young age to avoid aggression towards new things as it gets older. This might mean that blood comes out, but that is good as it might help bacteria to … There are a number of things that you can do to get your German Shepherd to stop biting you that I will mention below. This will also make them more difficult to train as they get older. I've owned and trained German Shepherds for over 18 years now. German shepherds attack. Slowly maneuver yourself away from the dog. This topic is addressed a number of times on this site because it is so important. Just like a teenager, if you give them too much and they have to do nothing to earn it, they may begin to feel entitled, and reluctant to work for anything in life. German Shepherds will lay close to you when you are lying down and sit next to you when you are sitting. Why Do German Shepherds Become Aggressive in the First Place? The first service dog was actually a German Shepherd, who was trained as a seeing eye dog in the early 1920s. Doing this limits the damage the dog can inflict on any vital parts. If your puppy approaches you and wants anything at all, make sure that there’s an action associated with the puppy receiving what it wants. When the dog shows signs of fear or aggression, have your assistant stop and wait. While full-on dog attacks aren’t all that common, it’s a good idea to know what to look for and the correct way to deal with one if it does happen. If your dog barks at you or even nips at you, it’s very important that you do not react back to your dog in a physical manner. Instead, watch for the warning signs, take appropriate action, and get yourself to safety as soon as possible. Because German Shepherds are one of the brightest breeds, be sure to be consistent, use positive reinforcement-based methods, provide plenty of … if a 5 years old german shepherd bites or attacks someone and she/he bites? Your puppy may run and play on the grass or walk down your driveway or sidewalk, or it may take a walk on the beach. As long as you stay still and quiet, the dog may lose interest. Proper socialization also includes your dog being introduced to all different kinds of people. Read my story here. If your German Shepherd won’t stop destroying your home, it may be time to invest in a durable chew or teething toy. By removing yourself from the vicinity of the dog and whatever they may be guarding, the dog may lose interest and choose not to pursue. Make another introduction in your home. Don’t flail; that will only get your arms and legs closer to the dog’s mouth. if a 5 years old german shepherd bites or attacks someone and she/he bites? You have to allow your pet German shepherd to mingle with other dogs and people in your family or friends circle, to bring out their cordial and playful sides among those who are strange and foreign at first. Dogs also like repetition, so repeating the same commands with the same time between you giving the dog a treat and praise after a successful act is crucial. So make sure that your puppy experiences as many different surfaces as possible. Don’t yell, scream, or make loud noises. Positive reinforcement training. And a fearful dog that is powerful, and knows that it’s powerful (just as a German Shepherd does), can quickly become aggressive.Your German Shepherd was bred to be protective, and they are territorial by nature, so it is its instinct to protect you and your home. And in case you are wondering, this does not automatically mean, that if you ever really do need help, that they won’t rise to the occasion! Dogs tend to learn better with positive reinforcement and treats rather than punishment and negative outcomes. Before you whip out the choke or shock collars, or even give up entirely, what if I told you there may be a way to teach even the most stubborn GSD not to bite people without turning to the extreme? Take your puppy everywhere. Maybe I should do that next time.”. Had my friend in the above instance carefully listened to and followed my instructions, there would have been no problem. Making sure that your GSD does not develop into an aggressive dog is largely up to you. Depending on the puppy, if you deny it what it wants, some may sulk, some may accept it, and some may express their frustration by growling or even biting. Do another inside of your car. During the course of its life, your dog will run across countless other dogs. If you have tried everything within your own power to manage your dog’s aggression and it has not worked, don’t give up yet. It will react aggressively to other animals only if those animals are presenting a threat to it, and not the other way around. I’m not saying to never adopt a dog, it’s just that you should keep in mind that you may have your hands full with teaching them that biting is a no-no. Their body will go stiff and statuesque. Your Shepherd may even follow you, biting at your ankles or nudging you in the small of your knee with his nose. or a bloodbath or not that bad? If this occurs, your number one priority is to keep cool. There will be new people, new places, objects, new animals, and just new experiences all around. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thegermanshepherder_com-leader-2','ezslot_17',118,'0','0'])); The more stressed or freaked out you become, the more agitated the dog will become. You have to talk clearly and in a firm voice when you’re giving out your commands. This is a yes and no answer, and it has a lot to do with dog psychology and training. It will think, “well that didn’t work and that didn’t work, but this worked. If it’s not time for a treat, or play, or a walk, then it will do the behavior and receive no reward. How to Prevent Aggression Through Proper Training and Socialization. German Shepherds have been trained for search and rescue missions and were essential during the 9/11 Terrorist Attack in the United States. With great intelligence and training also comes a high level of obedience. Does this make all German Shepherds dangerous? You may be surprised to learn that there’s a large difference within the GSD breed between dogs who are bred to work and dogs who are bred to win show ribbons. Yet, that doesn’t mean they’re just waiting for the chance to do so. thegermanshepherder.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You should never teach your dog that biting people is okay. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. While a German Shepherd dog may initially have the urge and prey drive to capture and kill a chicken, with exposure and training they can be trusted to coexist with chickens without harming them. I immediately acted to correct the situation, and to my relief, the person was actually thankful. what happens to the person? Your German Shepherd does not need any specialized attack or protection training for this to happen, it comes instinctually to a German Shepherd. The potential for a German Shepherd to become aggressive begins at a young age. This is where your big human brain will come in handy. This behavior is simply not acceptable, and it’s potentially dangerous, so you must at this point take great care to discipline your puppy in the correct manner. The saying “violence begets violence” applies very strongly in this case. The puppy thinks, “Oh hey, maybe I shouldn’t do this” and they find other ways to play instead. Adorably, many GSDs don’t realize their size or weight and would actually sit … An aggressive GSD is coming from an entirely different place psychologically than a dominant one. The point in relating this story is to make sure that whoever you are socializing your dog with is prepared, and to ensure that all introductions go smoothly. Put on thick dog attack gloves, tap your German shepherd on the face until he grabs the mit, provide the attack command “attack” or another word used for that purpose. He hiked through the woods alone with me, as well as with a group of people. That means that if this kind of dog wanted to harm someone, they could. The Murrins returned last Thursday evening to find brave p… Sometimes, though, even if you don’t freak out and you try to avoid the interaction with the tips above, the dog may attack anyway. If you get bitten by a German Shepherd and it leaves a bleeding wound rather than just an abrasion, take the following steps: Press down on the bite wound. Sometimes, when an owner has a violent GSD and doesn’t think they can train it themselves, they may think of putting their dog down. It doesn’t matter what it is, anything is better than those jaws grabbing onto you. German Shepherd often have a strong defense drive - so when you get rough with her in response to her biting she probably either things you are playing rough with her or she is acting defensively and "pushing back" instead of submitting - this is normal for her but means that you need to approach the training a little differently. This could not be further from the truth. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'thegermanshepherder_com-box-3','ezslot_6',108,'0','0'])); The biggest question is: Can a German Shepherd kill you? I don't know if this works on German Sheperds, but I asked a staffordshire bull terrier expert how to restrain a staffie if it locked onto my arm or something. A purse, backpack, or shopping bags can all work, though they’re not ideal. Call us for a free consultation about your rights: (713) 932-0777. German Shepherds are known to aim high and grab limbs. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. We agree to always ask permission first before allowing our dog to do any of the following towards another dog or human: Run, sprint, or walk up to someone, sniff a butt, sniff a face, lick a face, hump, jump on, or any other interaction. The tail will be low to the ground. Or even better yet, if you’re working with a German shepherd puppy or a young German shepherd, you can easily avoid this behavioral problem. Keep your limbs close to your body at all times. So when introducing your GSD to a new person, your behavior is key, as well as the behavior of the other person. Snuggling or cuddling is one of the best signs that your GSD is being affectionate because this is one way they treat you as part of their pack. They likely will hold the ears flat, unmoving instead of twitching and listening for sounds all around them. When raised by a negligent dog owner, German Shepherds can be very vicious. Lastly, you can think of aggression as a habit that your German Shepherd displays whenever there is a trigger which elicits feelings of fear, intimidation, pain and/or discomfort. I'd probably try that. So to ensure that your dog reacts properly, and even in a friendly manner when it comes to new animals, you must make sure that it is ready for them. Instead, train them using positive reinforcement. Me, my friend, and my dog would sit and the yard and talk while my friend petted my dog. In this article, we explain how germans shepherd tolerates a severe weather condition or which features make german shepherd warm in snowy weather. The best thing you can do in this scenario is to get to know your dog well. Remain unresponsive and nonreactive. This doesn’t mean however that German Shepherds haven’t been known to attack their owners. And really look at the small things. German Shepherds and Pugs have only started being cross-bred relatively recently. It’s important that you and the other person adhere to these points. A German Shepherd may be aggressive when he is punished or abused by his handler. Instead, there is either a primal instinct or learned fear from a past experience that is traumatizing the dog and causing it to lash out with aggression. Because its instinct is to protect you, if it misjudges a situation as one that warrants being fearful, it may well act aggressively in an effort to protect you.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'thegermanshepherder_com-leader-4','ezslot_7',120,'0','0'])); When a German Shepherd is meeting a new person for the first time, it may not know what to think, and on an instinctual level, it is gauging whether the person is friend or foe. After a few moments of silence, either hold onto your dog’s collar or put it on a leash and lead it to another room, away from the scene of aggression. After all, it’s so much better to avoid the situation than try to find a way out of it. This may happen while out for a walk or at a park. 8/20/2015: I stumbled upon this post today, initially posted 8/20/2013, exactly 2 years ago today. While they usually avoid biting their human companions, they do have a problem of becoming jealous, which might cause them to snarl or nip at another person or dog that comes near their owner. By avoiding eye contact you’re telling the dog you’re not interested in fighting. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'thegermanshepherder_com-netboard-1','ezslot_25',117,'0','0'])); Now that you understand the importance of not raising your voice at your dog and staying calm, you can move on to properly correct your dog’s behavior. Trainers often use a word from a foreign language that someone else is not likely to use either accidentally or on purpose. thegermanshepherder.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This can be a loaded question with a variable answer. Don’t do this through fear and violence. A GSD who is a first-time mom may just be overwhelmed. If you want to learn how to train a German shepherd, you must learn how to establish leadership over it first. She went after the electrician that was working in our home because she thought he was going after me. As they are social dogs but they don’t live more than 8 hours in cold, chilly weather. For example you can teach your dog to “attack” by saying the word in Russian or Japanese. In this article, we’ll explore why a GSD may attack, what the warning signs might be, how to protect yourself, and much more. Try not to put anyone else in danger, but you might well need help to escape a sustained German Shepherd attack. However, obviously, the answer needs to be elaborated upon. It actually begins when they are just several weeks old and under the care of their mother.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thegermanshepherder_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_22',110,'0','0'])); It is the mother’s job to socialize and encourage her puppies to behave well and interact productively with one another. Historically, in movies and television especially, we see examples of German Shepherds behaving badly. Unfortunately, they might also cause scarring, which can take a toll on you emotionally. Fear Aggression. A German Shepherd puppy who was never taught proper bite inhibition can grow up to do real damage. But without having the proper foundation for making good decisions, such as a variety of past experiences that you created for your dog, there is no telling how it may react. So make it a point to take your dog outside on garbage day and actually have it interact with the workers.People on skateboards and bicycles are also important for your puppy to get used to. I also enjoy sharing my knowledge about German Shepherds with the world, and I encourage all future dog owners to consider one as a companion as well. Keep in mind, however, that the following account was with one of my dogs when he was around 1 year old and was being trained to protect our home. German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in America. He began pulling towards them and barking very aggressively. Use your imagination with all of this, your GSD puppy is very smart. As such, they have been bred with many different coat colors. #4 – Tail Chasing. If your german shepherd tries to follow you, keep turning until they’ve stopped and calmed down completely. By doing so you will be able to ensure that there is not a medical cause for its behavior. This could be a board, a briefcase, or a large book if that’s all you have. Reputable GSD breeders will look for specific desirable traits to pass on to future generations. If you plan on getting a puppy, make sure that you discuss this point in-depth with your breeder. The same goes for a washing machine or a garbage disposal in a kitchen sink. Here’s how. Below, I will mention a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might be doing it and what you can do … Unless you’re a professional dog trainer, you should never attempt to teach a dog to guard your house. After all, what can’t your dog do? Too much aggression in a bloodline can invite disaster. A usually sweet and loving GSD can turn sour and aggressive when they’re in pain or not feeling well.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thegermanshepherder_com-box-4','ezslot_11',111,'0','0'])); German Shepherds are large dogs with a strong build, and they were bred for herding and protecting livestock. One lesson here is that you need to make sure that your breeder is using the proper dogs for having puppies. However, this time when your german shepherd jumps up and bites you, let out a yelp or cry of pain before turning away and not facing them. Any circumstance that you may ever potentially be in with your dog and another person needs to be covered during this time in his life. It is not acting in a way that is coming from a fear of some sort, instead it acts in a way that is an attempt to prove to the world that it is the leader and needs to be taken seriously. German Shepherd Pug Mix: Small Dog With a Big Attitude. German Shepherd Attack Commands. However, combine bad breeding or failing health with a lack of appropriate training in a German Shepherd, and you have a potentially volatile situation. Could a German Shepherd Mortally Wound Someone? Slowly, have your stranger approach your dog. They are extremely smart, and can learn new commands within five repetitions. None of the German Shepherd attacks have involved predatory behavior" - obviously not: As a herding dog, the (original) GSD does not have predatory behaviors. If none of those tips work and the dog still decides you’re worth the chase, you’re not powerless. If you’re a German Shepherd owner, you have a strong suspicion your dog might actually be smarter than you are. The person needs to be aware of the purpose of your meeting. Just like people, first-time moms can have it rough. The Liver German Shepherd: A Complete Breed Guide. Thankfully, most GSDs have no desire to harm their human companions. The Liver German Shepherd: A Complete Breed Guide. 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