May have to get rid of dog. Advice on how I can work out the situation?

Find a good trainer to work with him, and certainly muzzle train him ASAP! The problem with rehoming a dog like this is that he will most likely just be euthanized.

But that kind of behavior van be reconditioned in many cases, then you won't have to worry so much about keeping him. Please try!

After I made this post, someone suggested using puppy pads. Any reason that wouldn't work?

It's not just about toileting though. It's about leaving an intelligent animal alone for extended periods.

I don't think we know what the circumstances of the 'biting at' people were. For clarity, I think I'm right in saying the dog didn't actually make contact - that's important and very relevant, it shows control. If your dog had really wanted to bite, he would have.

So, getting to the root of that should be your starting point.

Can you describe in detail the circumstances around the 'biting at' people?

JoanneF said:

It's not just about toileting though. It's about leaving an intelligent animal alone for extended periods.

I don't think we know what the circumstances of the 'biting at' people were. For clarity, I think I'm right in saying the dog didn't actually make contact - that's important and very relevant, it shows control. If your dog had really wanted to bite, he would have.

So, getting to the root of that should be your starting point.

Can you describe in detail the circumstances around the 'biting at' people?

Click to expand...

He did bite the first one, but did not draw blood. He seemed ready to escalate if things did not go his way.

The second pulled his hand away in time, so my dog simply missed.

Me being gone for extended periods would probably happen only 1-2 times a month, and I hope to get a puppy soon so they'll have someone to keep each other company.

Have you worked with a behaviorist or trainer so far?

Curls said:

Have you worked with a behaviorist or trainer so far?

Click to expand...

I have no funds to do so. For a year I've been trying to get a job as a software developer, and the tech economy died so hard that now no one will even give me an interview. After 2,000 job applications, I am still unemployed.

But if the puppy pad idea works, then I have a solution that's good enough to be able to keep my buddy.

icor1031 said:

I have no funds to do so. For a year I've been trying to get a job as a software developer, and the tech economy died so hard that now no one will even give me an interview. After 2,000 job applications, I am still unemployed.

But if the puppy pad idea works, then I have a solution that's good enough to be able to keep my buddy.

Click to expand...

This is not that cheap, but I would rather see you train your dog to use it, than puppy pads, alone. There are fake grass boxes too (for small dogs) You might be able to use actual litter inside, but that's a guess.

Buzzu2 said:

This is not that cheap, but I would rather see you train your dog to use it, than puppy pads. There are fake grass boxes too (for small dogs)

Amazon.com : Doggy Bathroom Dog Litter Box - Indoor Dog Potty with Vertical Pee Pads for Male Dogs (Dark Grey) : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Doggy Bathroom Dog Litter Box - Indoor Dog Potty with Vertical Pee Pads for Male Dogs (Dark Grey) : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

Click to expand...

I could DIY that for $20

icor1031 said:

I hope to get a puppy soon so they'll have someone to keep each other company

Click to expand...

Bad, bad, bad idea. If you are increasing your work load, that means the time you have for another dog or puppy (which will require LOTS of time) will be minimal. I don't mean to be blunt, but your financial situation should be a massive red flag as well. If you can't afford to hire a behaviorist for your current dog, you are unlikely to be able to afford twice the food to feed both of them, as well as all the vet bills that comes with a new dog (vaccinations, desexing etc).

Not to mention any behavioural issues you have right now are likely to become worse with another dog - quite litearlly DOUBLE TROUBLE.

icor1031 said:

I could DIY that for $20

Click to expand...

And probably make something better!

MaisieAndGem said:

Bad, bad, bad idea. If you are increasing your work load, that means the time you have for another dog or puppy (which will require LOTS of time) will be minimal. I don't mean to be blunt, but your financial situation should be a massive red flag as well. If you can't afford to hire a behaviorist for your current dog, you are unlikely to be able to afford twice the food to feed both of them, as well as all the vet bills that comes with a new dog (vaccinations, desexing etc).

Not to mention any behavioural issues you have right now are likely to become worse with another dog - quite litearlly DOUBLE TROUBLE.

Click to expand...

Agree to this. Especially if you are getting another German Shepherd. A well bred one will cost several thousand dollars. If you have that money, you have the money for a behaviorist. If you don't have that money, you shouldn't add a second dog. You are already dealing with the issues that come with a rescue dog that got a bad start. Adding a second bargain basement clearance special dog to your household might mean you are now dealing with two behaviorally challenged dogs. And there's no guarantee your two dogs will get along. You may come home to blood on the walls.

Plus German Shepherds are thinking dogs. They need a job, and they need training. Leaving any GSD puppy, no matter how well bred, alone for extended periods is likely to open whole new vistas of behavioral problems.

icor1031 said:

If I can't find a solution then I probably have to get rid of him. Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

I recommend re-homing your dog through a rescue. Rescues are reluctant to put a dog down with a bite history and are willing to work with the dog. If you place the dog in a shelter or, God forbid, a shelter, he will get put down. Placing an ad on Craigslist is also a very bad idea. There are some very bad people that get dogs from Craigslist as fodder to "train" their fighting dogs.

Most responsible, reputable rescues will not take a dog with a bite history, nor will they adopt one out, the legal and financial liability of adopting out a dog with a bite history are far too great. Most do not have the space, resources or finances to try to rehab an aggressive dog.

Adopting Out Aggressive Dogs - VETzInsight - VIN

I disagree with the above statement. Some rescues will take dogs with bite history. I adopted one that was a bitter. He was no problem for me

The vet told me that although it isn't impossible, it's highly unlikely that any medical conditions are the cause of his outbursts.

There's that. And there's another form of aggression my dog displays which is clearly not related to a medical issue, and that one is even more concerning. Basically he gets aggressive toward children, and tries to go at them rather than staying in place or avoiding them. So if he ever gets away from me, he may kill a child. I can't put innocent children at risk like that, so I'm probably going to have him euthanized in the next week or two. I'll try to get pictures of us together before I lose him.

Woops, posted that in the wrong thread. I'll repost it in the correct one.