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Hello Adrienne my GSD (male) is a big boy bog now. He is one years old (unfixed, I plan to neuter him at around 2 years of age). issue description:- I find him difficult giving a walk because he tends to bark aggressively at other dogs even if they are on the other side of the road. I am using prong collar but that’s not improving the behaviour. It has given me some control over him but how can I make him act calm (or ignore) in presence of other dogs. I used to take him to dog parks earlier (haven’t done in a month now after I read somewhere that dogs parks can give your dog disease, but that’s a different topic for a later time). Leash free he plays fine with other dogs of every size in the dog park but with a “leash on” and walking him in my neighbourhood I literally keep hoping that I don’t encounter another dog coming from the other side. He is not a mean dog, I just don’t know how he picked up this bad behaviour but it’s not easy with him giving walk. He is close to 100 pounds and if it wasn’t for the prong collar then I would have not been able to held on to him with the way he lunges seeing other dogs barking at them aggressively. I should mention that I have another dog which is a ShihTzu and she also barks at other dogs (sometimes). GSD being younger than the ShihTzu might have picked the behaviour from her. It’s hardly once or twice I took both of them out together on a walk, as it’s unmanageable hence I do not take both of them out together now. but ShihTzu is now more relaxed or atleast in absence of his GSD friend she doesn’t care to bark at other dogs on her walk. I used the pop technique as well as with some lure in my hands and it has helped me a little bit as now he ignores another dog who doesn’t bark at him, but he still very nervously keeps checking on the other dog till the other dog is passed his sight, and if the other dog shows any aggression then he reacts. Please help me if you have any suggestions. I mean I have seen other GSDs taking walk “leash free” with their owners and not leaving their owner’s side or any kind of reaction in presence of other dogs (even when the other dog barks at them). So just wondering to how to reach that level of comfort zone and confidence with my dog. I believe he trusts me, he takes approvals by constantly looking at me as if to get permission or making sure I am there etc. but when he reacts he doesn’t listen to me. Please share if you have any suggestions. Thanking you in advance. Kind Regards

So my dad surprises the family with an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy - 2 actually. Littermates brother and sister. Since I am the one who stays at home the most, I’ve been charged with watching them while everyone else goes to work and disclaimer: I have never raised a puppy. My last dog was about a year and I had her more than 10 years ago. So I had NO idea what I was in for. About two days in, we noticed a lot of fighting between the siblings and when we learned about “Littermate Syndrome,” we decided to return one of the puppies to the breeder. Our remaining puppy, Lucky, is a lot more calm now since his sister usually started the rough play, but he is nipping more than usual. I understand that it’s common for puppies, especially GSD, and that I have to redirect his biting with a toy or chew, OR make a verbal correction and stop playing when he doesn’t listen. This is my problem: I want to be a good owner, but both my parents are “old fashioned,” and they are used to hitting a dog for correction. I told them it could be detrimental and ineffective, so they’ve held back with this puppy, except once. My dad forgot to cover up and Lucky bit his bare ankle, causing him to immediately slap the dog away and give a loud “No”. As awful as this will sound, I am a little jealous because it worked. Since then, Lucky hasn’t but my dad. He still plays with him, goes to him, and seems genuinely okay with my dad. Meanwhile I am out here, with my torn up boots, getting bit and getting frustrated. What can I do to curb his biting without resorting to hitting? I already offer different toys (which he will chew for a bit and then go back to gnawing the zippers of my boots) and leaving (which he just cries and waits until I come back and resumes the behavior)?