Our GSD has started growling at my wife and this upsets her

[whwvekwk]

@mercedesrub40 Ahh, that’s probably your answer then. It’s his genetic predisposition.

With dogs, it doesn’t really work like it does with humans; they can have the most wonderful of environments and if even one of their parents had a noticeable issue like reactivity or neuroticism, there’s a very high chance the entire litter will inherit it.

That’s why very strict and careful professional breeding is so important… not just to preserve the best physical qualities of a breed, but so that psychological problems like this don’t pass on as well. It is difficult to say the least for the animal as well as their human family, and with large athletic breeds like GSDs, unfortunately heightens risk of injury or death.

I say this with my own sloppily backyard-bred reactive GSD curled up on my knees right now, snoring hard. Just bc we know what is right logically, does not mean our heart doesn’t make choices for us. I knew what I was getting into 4 years ago with an accidental pandemic litter, and made the mistake of humoring my little brother to go visit his friend’s new litter. Was toast as soon as she put her muddy little pot belly on my lap.

But at least you might have an idea of the issues you’re facing during his lifetime. He’s real young, not 2 yet right? This is the perfect time to get a trainer involved and read up on reactivity 101. There’s a ton of Facebook groups for reactive dogs, if nothing else it’s a space for aggregated resources and venting or asking questions from folks in a similar situation.

 

[mercedesrub40]

@whwvekwk Thank you, we’ll look into it, and yes he just turned a year old this past December so still fairly young.

 

[zander12]

@mercedesrub40 Following you around isn’t herding! Wtf and she doesn’t walk the dog. Y’all are infuriating. GSD’s can be Velcro dogs, that’s not herding!!!! I’ve owned GSD’s and border collies, huge difference. Again, walk the fucking dog….DAILY. No wonder it’s acting “anxious” as you said. They need a lot of exercise. If you can’t properly care for it please give him to someone who can.

 

[mercedesrub40]

@zander12 I said I take him on runs, he has plenty of space at our house and the backyard to play with the huskies we own. Considering he does try to get me to follow him outside when he needs to potty yes I do qualify that as herding. It’s not like he’s ever bored and we have toys to play with him too. If he was anxious as you’re probably thinking then yes however he doesn’t growl at me which was the point of me posting this

 

[zander12]

@mercedesrub40 Is he nipping at your heels? Ffs the dog has separation anxiety, that’s not herding. I don’t care how “entertained” you think he is, all those dogs are active breeds that need daily walks/runs or they WILL start having behavioral issues.

 

[mercedesrub40]

@zander12 No he definitely isn’t nipping

 

[cb_isme]

@mercedesrub40 Your wife has to walk him everyday. It is HER dog, and it is a german shepard.
My explanation is that now he isnot a puppy anymore, and he must be so extremely bored. No wonder he has issues. If she does not want to walk and train him everyday rehome him, so he get what he deserves.

 

[mercedesrub40]

@cb_isme She’s a full time student and works part time, I’m a active duty soldier so I try to knock out two birds with one stone when exercising him given my line of work…
The purpose of this thread was to find solutions so we DON’T rehome him, so your input is the least to say… unwarranted to put nicely. He has a loving home and better off than a lot of dogs out there that are cramped up in shelters for example. Very bold of you to assume we aren’t giving him what he deserves.

 

[cb_isme]

@mercedesrub40 You wrote that she does not walk him but you.
I suggested that SHE walks him etc.
He might just not see her as the owner aka his boss anymore, that is you cause you walk him right? (I was wondering what she did when you were away a few weeks though)
So your wife is lower positionated in your pack, ergo her dog shows her clearly where she is at, combined with dog beeing underutilized
...cause i do not believe he gets real mental input more than 1 hour a day...would be what he DESERVES, by the way.
Walking the dog only is not sufficient for this breed (you wrote that she was teaching him only basic stuff)
And a loving home is nice, but also not sufficient for this breed. Yes, i had this breed by the way.

 

[dogodswill]

@mercedesrub40 I’m sorry, but a GSD has to be walked everyday. My husband and I both work full time too but if we ever miss a day due to weather or illness, our sweet girl gets a little too rambunctious. I can’t imagine a GSD walked maybe once a week. I know you don’t want to rehome your boy, but currently you are not meeting his required needs.

 

[gflag753]

@mercedesrub40 Who was walking the dogs when you were doing military training? Did they just go unwalked for weeks?

She does need to try and bond with the dog. A walk is a good thing, even a 15 minute one in the morning. Does she play with him?

Dogs like the people who do things for them. If you're the one walking and looking after the dog then no wonder it follows you around.

 

[favored7]

@mercedesrub40 The fact is that poor breeding could even be at the heart of the issue, given that you got a dog from a friend rather than a breeder that specifically breeds for soundness in both mind and body. That said I second the recommendations to go to the vet, hopefully it is just an injury that he is guarding and the reality is that he trusts you for whatever reason more than he trusts your wife. That would arguably be the easiest thing to resolve, treat the injury and without the pain he should be back to okay with your wife.

Reactivity takes many forms and has just as many causes, some can be resolved and others like poor genetics cannot be. Get a veterinary behaviorist in to assess the situation ASAP. I know others have commented on the impulse to correct the growl, so I won't beat the dead horse but the priority should be the vet and personally I would be getting in contact with veterinary behaviorists as you wait for the appointment but my boy is also a working dog so I have a lower threshold for residual quirks that could remain after something like an injury. Since yours is a pet you might find that you can accommodate him being a little more sensitive of an area or whatever might remain so that is something you can assess if you want to wait until after the vet appointment to see if it is a need you have not or call now.

 

[needhelp79]

@mercedesrub40 Your wife needs to start being more firm with the dog and get a behavior trainer yesterday. It's probably the dog thinks it's over your wife and rank and that's what how it's acting

 

[smokereeferandimblackman]

@mercedesrub40 I know this sounds strange but, do you have a picture of your dog or could you take a picture of your GSD?

 

[mercedesrub40]

@smokereeferandimblackman https://preview.redd.it/gha4nmubuig...bp&s=8238915eca3b08de2536ba871410e6361c9a9eef

This is the most recent one we have with him. Which was taken back in November on our road trip to our new house. Why did you want a picture?

 

[smokereeferandimblackman]

@mercedesrub40 I had a friend who had a "German Shepherd," that was nipping the behinds of the kids at random times and was worried about BE. They sent me an image and it turns out the GSD they got from the shelter was actually more of a herding dog so, that was the issue lol. Some people say they have a specific breed of dog only to have another. I'm glad you know your GSD, cuz that is DEFINITELY GSD lol

 

[mercedesrub40]

@smokereeferandimblackman Oh yeah he most definitely is, we were confident given we met his parents a few times

 

[hassell6]

@mercedesrub40 My GSD she’s almost 3 years In June tried to bite me 3 nights ago I tried petting her but she had treats in front of her and she tried
To bite me tbh idk what to do anymore

 

[cb_isme]

@hassell6 If you did not do it yet: learn her basic stuff. Like you are allowed to take food away from her. Also important if she finds food outside!! So you can prevent her from eating potentionally bad stuff. If she is trained, she might have food aggression due to: stress, anxiety or insecurity. Go ask a professional for help then.

 

[mercedesrub40]

@hassell6 Sorry to hear that. I’m in the same boat so I get it, I’m sure you love her just as much as we love our GSD. Hopefully someone may be able to help you out too