Q: How to make my German shepherd aggressive to strangers?
In the neighborhood I live in there is always a possibility of people trying to enter my home. I have a one year 9-month-old German Shepherd and want him to be more aggressive towards strangers. What do I do?
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Answers and Views:
Answer by Vince
If you want Your dog to be more protective then don’t let anybody play, feed or pet your dog other then yourself. You should be the only one showing the dog any love and then the dog will naturally become protective of you. if you have family members or friends coming over then allow them to say hi to the dog just to acknowledge that they are there and your ok with it but that is it. Do not let them play with your dog or anything else that will show love toward your pup. You should be the ONLY ONE TO DO SO!!
Answer by baree33090
Why would you want your dog to be a liability?!
It should be enough that he's a large, intimidating-looking breed. Do not try to train him to be stranger-aggressive. At most, if you want him to protect your home, the only thing I would recommend is teaching him to bark when he hears someone coming.
Answer by sohaib
For God's sake don't tell the man what he should or should not do. It's his Dog and his neighborhood and he knows better than us if he wants an aggressive or a playful dog. To make him aggressive keep him away from people. The least people he will see the more aggressive he will become towards strangers.
Answer by Franky
I had one German Shepherd that I let people come around and he was just naturally aggressive after he turned two years old., that dog couldn't go near anybody without biting. He was a great watchdog a great sense of security and I kept him controlled I miss him very much. Now I have a new dog full bred German Shepherd and he's very happy go lucky that doesn't mean by the age of two he's not going to start changing just like the other one did they are natural protective dogs they will protect the families that they love and they will protect the property that they live on.
Answer by Bre
It's up to the type of living situation that you are in. GSD dogs are very loyal and protective when it comes to their owner(s). If you need a more protective GSD for your neighborhood and you don't have children, then don't acclamate him around other people. Keep "you" as his one and only master and he will be very protective of you and his home all the time. If you have children, the children are going to be bringing home their friends, and kids love dogs, so your GSD is going to be more of a people person. It's hard to tell a child not to play with a dog. Everyone has to decide what the use of their GSD is for; either a guard dog or a family dog. But, either way, the GSD will protect his family and home when there is a threat. I used to ask my fiancé how our GSD would know if there was a bad person around or someone here that shouldn't be, since he is so loveable around people all the time, and he told me that dogs just know. They have a sixth sense that we can't see or hear. So, if you ever have someone come around, even someone you know or think you trust, and your GSD goes crazy with barking and growling at that person, it's usually because your dog can sense something bad that we can't. Trust your dog!
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Answer by sheori
We have never ever tried to make our German shepherd aggressive. He is one of the sweatiest nicest dogs you will meet. He's great with kids and any person who comes to visit (even the UPS man who knows our dog now and gives him a treat and lets him in the truck to say hi). He loves many many people, but since he is truly part of our family (and we don't try to make him mean), he is very devoted to us.
There have been a couple times when a person has come to our house who was not supposed to be there. We heard from our neighbors one day that he bit a person who was peaking in our windows. We never had a problem like that again. He also once growled at a man I was afraid of when I was home alone and little. The man got the message and left.
Please don't try to make your dog nasty. He should know if you need help, and act to protect his family, not out of anger or fear because you tried to make him nasty. It's a very bad idea. Making a dog aggressive to strangers usually involves cruelty or mistreating your dog.
Answer by tommy
People, please shut the hell up! You don't know where this person lives or how his neighborhood is. It's his dog! Damn some of you act like you are so damn perfect you prob. have a thousand skeletons in your closet! I say train him to bite the butt hole out of anybody who is trying to break into your home!
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Cheryl Haskins says
With the holiday season approaching, we’re planning a trip with our dog. What tips can you share for preparing a pet for a long car ride? What should we bring along, and how can we minimize stress for our dog?
Azeez jide says
It is not good to let your GSD to be to much playful am now regretting why doing dat.
If my dog see eny out side person he will start happy
Even a friend to the people who come to attack me
Red says
I personally think you should rethink!!!! My GS mix is extremely aggressive to strangers. ᵂᴵᵀᴴᴼᵁᵀ ᵀᴿᴬᴵᴺᴵᴺᴳ ᵀᴼ ᴰᴼ ˢᴼ.
Its generally a better idea to train a command for him to attack or bark. As someone who’s experienced a dog who’s aggressive with strangers, it’s just a huge liability and a bundle of stress. As well as no more dog parks so less running for your pup.
Madison kaizer says
i own a German Shepard and he hates when other people come near me, he will even get a little aggressive to my boyfriend if he thinks I am endanger. my bf and I where messing around and my dog just growls at him and finally calms down then I take him on walks I use a tight leash not a flimsy one , and a good muzzle. I don’t let kids or anyone else pet hi m because I am afraid he will bite them.
madison says
i own a German Shepard and he hates when other people come near me, he will even get a little aggressive to my boyfriend if he thinks I am endanger. my bf and I where messing around and my dog just growls at him and finally calms down then I take him on walks I use a tight leash not a flimsy one , and a good muzzle. I don’t let kids or anyone else pet hi m because I am afraid he will bite them.
Wilson says
Pls I Am An Amature Regarding To Dogs,,, My Seven Months Old Gsd Is Been Attacked By Other Dogs While I Take A Walk With Him.
Mark says
Attacked? Dogs normally do not attack puppies. Was your puppy on a leash, and the other dogs unleashed?
moses says
I have a 9 weeks old German Shepherd and I want it to be big and aggressive please what do I do
Chrissie says
He should naturally be protective of his owner, but he’s still a puppy & it would be strange for any breed of puppy not to be friendly. I have two female German Shepherds and I have found that female Shepherds are more protective than males are. You really don’t want to make him aggressive towards strangers, because then he’ll associate all strangers as being “bad” & he’ll most likely bite a child or a new friend of yours that he has never met. To make a dog aggressive yourself isn’t a wise thing to do, especially if you have no experience with properly training a breed like a Shepherd. When most amateurs try to make their dog “mean”, it involves beating the dog or something like that. Then the dog’ll hate everyone, including you. If you want to make him a guard dog (which I strongly don’t recommend), you would have to hire a professional attack trainer who has experience with German Shepherds. I don’t think that’s necessary. He’ll naturally protect you & your house as he matures, you don’t need to “make him aggressive.”
Fifi eghan says
Wht age is da dog supposed to bark.i ve a 9month shepherd
RussianDog says
Some dogs bark from the beginning, some dogs don’t bark at all, or bark occasionally. It depends on the dog, not on its age.
Jacqie says
My reason is she’s too friendly other dogs come and eat her food she just lays there.I love her but I hate she let’s other dogs eat her food.
Kaluba Lackson says
I have a 6month German Shepherd and it neither barks nor bites strangers help me make it aggressive towards strangers
Art says
He’s a puppy yet.
Murphy says
create more bond with the dog….play with it every morning..even if it rubbing his belle..for some time you wil ssee changes..you got be patient..take it out for a walk.. encourage your family members to play with it.. reward the dog with treat..
thefisco says
My 5month GSD only barks at strangers when she is in her cage once she is out she jumps and play with them. Why? And how do I correct this
Mark says
You can give her a training if you really need it (think twice) but actually she’s just a puppy that still loves the whole world.
Aakash says
My puppy is 2 months old he’s soo afraid of strangers and he keeps on bitting me what should I do to resolve the problem…..
RussianDog says
You may find these discussions useful:
How to stop my border collie puppy from biting me?
How do i get my pug dog to stop biting?
Deen says
My GSD is almost 2yra old..shes very friendly wth the family but if im to take her for a walk the very sight of puppies or even kittens scares her..they bark at her buy she doesnt react in any way..i find this strange as ive had an Labrador n he wasnt like this..he was very protective n wld bark at strangers but this girl lets me down whn strangers comes to my door..she gets friendly wth them too..wht cld be possibly wrong
Clara says
My 4months old German Shepard dog is not aggressive neither does it bark at strangers
Ayo says
My GSD at 8 montjs hardly barks. How do I make her bark at the sound of strangers or intruders?
RussianDog says
Please view our post How can I get my rottweiler to bark at strangers?
Penny says
She will do it once she gets older. Mine start at about 1-2 yrs old. They are 2- 3 yrs old and back at strangers coming near our vehicle when we are out. They bark at vehicles coming on to our property and strangers that approach.
Joannes says
Its simple give her weed or wisky
Joannes says
Although I was kidding its going to work just that she might bite you too so just keep her from strangers
Toriz says
I have a 5 month old German Shepard his very obedient but I want him too be more aggressive toward strangers. Help me out
Bre says
The comment has been moved into the body of the post.
Joshua Ologun says
I have a 6 months old German shepherd. He barks at any strange sound but tend to be friendly with strangers when they approach him. I expected him to react but he never did and doesn’t do that. What do I do to make him aggressive to strangers?
chinyere says
My gsd is six months old but whenever she barks at a stranger and tends to chase the person and if the person doesn’t moves she would run back and bark how can I solve this
samuel says
my gsd is 7 years old. we have been feeding him milk and pedigree for most of the time. recently, in a dog to dog situation, i found him to be a lot calmer than he used to be even when a labrador attacked him and he did nothing. i am just confused because he is much bigger in size and built than the lab plus he didnt even bark at it at all. why did this happen. i was just so ashamed when the owner of the lab smiled at me. has he grown old?
RussianDog says
Please don’t blame him for that. He’s not so old yet but he’s getting wiser, contrary to the lab owner.
Mani says
The avg age for a gsd is approx 6 to 7 years and your dog is enough old so this kind of behaviour is natural so don’t worry.
Dr Ashok kumar says
Need of tips on dogs when Irequired
Franky says
The comment has been moved into the body of the post.
Moe says
I have a german shepherd and he is very sweet. He is 1 year 3 month old. I recently started to face some issues with him that was not there. He recently started to damage the grass in the yard and pull out some small trees and flowers. Also he attacked a very very exapnsive chair and he torned it to pieces. Never had such an issue with him, knowing that he is trained for 7 months on obedience and barking. He is also very sweet to everyone that comes to our house but he is stubberen also … we love him , and he is very playful// The coach told me the reason he is doing that is because i am leaving him outside without an order.. I tried giving him an order and then leave but useless.. what do you recommend me guys… please help !
Egzon Guri says
i agree
jay says
so true
♥love♥ says
UGH
*Slaps forhead*
Just UGH
Bertha says
If you want a guard dog, then be sure to have a professional's help. You could seriously be injured if not.
Rayven~Summer Troll says
Cough up several thousand to have him evaluated by a PROFESSIONAL trainer to even see if he would be suitable for guard training. Odds are unlikely however. All YOU can do by yourself is turn your sweet pup into a four legged liability who will end up PTS because of your ignorance while you are in court fighting a lawsuit.
And if your neighborhood is THAT bad dog or not they will still break in and kill your dog or seriously injure him in the process.
Anyone with enough hate in them will have ZERO issue with shooting a dog or as was done to a police dog the other day leaving anti freeze out for them.
Curtis M says
Firstly, your dog is a baby. Would you expect a 9 year old kid to protect your home? Then don't expect a 9 month old puppy to.
Secondly, I can guarantee you that your dog isn't good enough to be a protection dog. You probably bought him from some random breeder out of the paper or off the internet. German Shepherd Dogs capable of real world work only come from European working lines. These dogs are either imported from Europe or bred from European working line stock. If you don't know the difference between Backyard Bred German Shepherds, Showline, German Showline, and European Working Lines? Chances are you have a BYB bred dog or a show-mutt. Neither of which is capable of the work you want.
If you want a protection dog you need to buy a puppy capable of the work. Working line GSD pups sell for about $ 1,500-$ 2,500. Then you'll need to lay down a foundation for positive training and prey drive work. Then at the appropriate age you'll need to find a professional trainer and helper to help you train your dog in protection work to bring out and build defense and fight drives. All together this will cast you oh, $ 6,000+ bucks! Or you can buy an adult fully trained dog from Europe for the same price, or perhaps more. Still want a protection dog?
Dutchman says
He shouldn't be aggressive if you want a good protection dog. Take him to a trainer for an evaluation. Simply making a dog "Aggressive" is easy…not only easy, but cheap…..and not only cheap, but dangerous & stupid. The fact that he ISN'T aggressive is a good sign. A fearful dog WOULD be aggressive to anyone approaching. Go see a trainer…there's nothing YOU can do.
BOUDICCA says
Try finding your dog a new owner!
Dances With Woofs! says
Why would you want your dog to be aggressive? What if he decided to attack a child or an old person for no reason other than the fact that you made him that way? Most dogs are naturally protective of their homes and the bark of a GSD is enough to deter most would-be burglars.
Natalie says
You should not be trying to make your dog more aggressive towards strangers.
Encouraging aggression will mean that your dog is going to be more likely to continue this type of behaviour and whilst it may only be against strangers at first, the behaviour will escalate.
However, there is nothing wrong with wanting your dog to guard your home.
livin life says
DONT MAKE YOUR DOG AGGRESSIVE TO PROTECT "YOUR"HOUSE….he will protect his own territory as he grows older….if you live in a crappy neighborhood…move or get a gun…or grow balls and be a man and learn to fight or put bars on the windows…
Seanann91 says
If you treat your shepherd like family and not a junk yard dog… You will have a great companion that will guard you when and if the time is right… Because then it will love you and its home… And want to protect it…
maxmom says
Not all GSD's should be trained to be guard dogs. If that is what you want, hire professional trainers. Be prepared to pay extra in homeowners insurance.
If you train to make it aggressive without proper training it will be aggressive to all.
Most dogs are already territorial about their houses.
Tivona W says
Please don't try and make him more aggressive! I get what you're trying to do, and i've been thinking about this same thing, too, because i'm scared of people coming in my house and stuff, robbing, or whatever. I think if you gave him a "speak" command, but make the command queu "attack!" or something then when a stranger breaks in, you'll tell him to attack and he'll start barking , and the intruder will only *think* he's gonna be attacked, but really it's just your friendly dog who wouldnt hurt people.
maybe you could find a way to make the speak signal the sound of breaking glass, in case someone broke in through a window or something.
but, i figure that just with the fact that you HAVE a german shepherd, no one will want to break into your house. but just to be sure, you could teach your dog these special tricks to make criminals even more scared. but visitors you invite, and your family and friends, will still be safe, because your dog does not actually attack people.
♥life is grea says
the only german shepard that should be people aggressive is a police dog trained by a Professional to stop criminals in there tracks
Erica Lynn says
You wait and let him grow up. Shepherds grow into their protection instincts as they mature. He's just a puppy right now and should not be showing much, if any, aggression. Trying to teach him to be aggressive is just asking for trouble. If he's acting fearful, you need to get him out for more socialization. If he's just being friendly, just wait it out until his protection instinct kicks in. It usually starts showing up somewhere between 9 and 18 months depending on the lines. I don't know what lines your dog comes from to even begin to guess when to expect that particular change. Where did you get him? If you bought from a breeder, what's the kennel name and do you have his parents' names?
FYI – Shepherds should only show aggression if they feel their home or family is being threatened. A shepherd with a solid temperament should be able to be called off whether they perceive a threat or not. If there is no threat, they should be calm and aloof, not aggressive, timid, or overly-friendly. This applies to adults, not nine month old puppies.
Coopers Mom says
Its people like you that contribute to GSD's bad rep!
Bosco says
Well agressive towards strangers is quite a bad idea.
Because if a dog bites someone, your dog is going to be put down by the shelter.
Get a professional guard dog trainer..