Help us figure out how to make him less aggressive and more friendly to strangers
We have a 14-month-old Golden Retriever/German Shepherd Dog-mix. This is our first dog, and we got him from a friend of ours when he was 8 months old. We have not had any problems with him until recently. Whenever someone walks by our house, he barks and growls ferociously. He even will chase someone down the street. He never showed this type of aggressive behavior before, and we are worried he actually might bite someone. He will not let anyone come near our house and even runs over to the neighbor's house when they have company and "pins" them into a corner. We usually keep him hooked up in the back, but we have let him out to run around and play. Please help us figure out how to make him less aggressive and more friendly to strangers.
The first step to stepping down your big bully is to not ever let him be outside loose! You have described an escalating aggression problem and have voiced concern your dog may bite; how in good conscience can you justify ever letting this dog run loose to terrorize the neighborhood? It is illegal, unethical and unsafe both for the people he may bite and for your dog, who could be harmed during his escapades. I suggest you stop hooking him up outside, which only will increase your dog's aggression as he barks in frustration and threatens passers-by. If he ever does get loose, he is all the more likely to unleash a disproportionate, bottled-up burst of cumulative aggression on the poor person who happens to be in the vicinity. Instead, accompany your dog outside into the yard, every time using a long light-line or retractable leash. In addition to allowing him to relieve himself, work on increasing his obedience to you, which will help to decrease his dominance. Teach him to Sit and Stay and to honor these commands as people pass by. Positively reinforce his good behaviors, and when he blows it, start over without punishing or scolding. Rad this article that may help you:
Suggestions for building basic training skills to make your dog less aggressive and more friendly to strangers
Although these training exercises do not directly address your aggression problem, they do help reduce your dog's perception of himself as the biggest dog on the block in a nice way and without you resorting to bullying him back.
The aggression does need to be specifically addressed, but I cannot give advice on how to reduce aggression without first evaluating the dog in person. Do not allow people to be "gator bait" or test victims with your dog's aggression; instead, seek the help of a qualified behaviorist who can help you modify your dog's territorial and dominance behaviors and who can help you improve your skills as a "leader."
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