How to get my dog to stop barking at other dogs!!!!? I’m desperate so we don’t get kicked out of agility!!!!

[chickenmama109]

I have a 8 month old German Shepard!! Named Giles, He’s the sweetest boy and loves to play!! He has three dogs to play with here and he also goes to my sisters sometimes and plays with her dogs!! But what I don’t understand is every time we go to the park and he sees another dog, he suddenly sounds aggressive! Which I know he’s not!! Anyways I took him to a agility class last night! Because he loves jumping and running!! And I thought it would be good for us to spend time together training, but he barked so much and would not calm down at all that he had to sit out of class!! He would not let any dog or human come near him!! And I’m worried we will get kicked out!!! I don’t know what to do and my next class is in a week! I’m desperate for some advice!! Does anyone else have this problem!?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@chickentrains

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm not sure how to help, bit he's more than likely barking because these dogs are strangers. He's fine with the dogs at home because he knows them better, unlike these dogs and humans

 

[bruceha2000]

My GUESS is that he's being protective of you on an unfamiliar place.

 

[LaFleche]

I have a 8 month old German Shepard!! Named Giles, He’s the sweetest boy and loves to play!! He has three dogs to play with here and he also goes to my sisters sometimes and plays with her dogs!! But what I don’t understand is every time we go to the park and he sees another dog, he suddenly sounds aggressive! Which I know he’s not!! Anyways I took him to a agility class last night! Because he loves jumping and running!! And I thought it would be good for us to spend time together training, but he barked so much and would not calm down at all that he had to sit out of class!! He would not let any dog or human come near him!! And I’m worried we will get kicked out!!! I don’t know what to do and my next class is in a week! I’m desperate for some advice!! Does anyone else have this problem!?

You could speak to the other dog owners and let the dogs get acquainted with one another prior to starting the class, so the excitement will subside and he will be able to concentrate on the task at hand.

Sometimes young dogs of a working breed get overly excited by too much stimuli, and although I consider it important to meet their needs regarding exercise etc., I think it equally important to teach them to calm down and allow for their still growing body and synapses to get the necessary rest for proper development.

And at 8 months of age, hormones kick in and often seem to erase all of the earlier learned lessons.


ETA:
You can teach him to start barking at your command, which also implies to stop at your command. My own rambunctious young working Airedale quickly got the hang of it.

 

[aart]

How is he at basic obedience?

 

[ShrekDawg]

I would probably take him to a basic obedience class before agility class.

Also take him out into the “real world” more and get him to focus on you. You might have to start far away at first but see if you can get him to follow basic commands and maintain focus without freaking out. Reward him for being calm. You might need to move further away if he can’t be calm. It seems like it might be a protective thing maybe or anxiety?

Definitely needs to be worked on but it will take time and I’m not sure it is something that can be fixed in a week. Probably improved upon, sure, but there’s no quick fixes when it comes to this sort of thing. It takes time.

There was GSD in my puppy class that did this too. I think shepherds in general just need a lot more guidance than some other breeds or they can get into trouble. So you need to be constantly on them, telling them what to do next type thing, and be one step ahead of them. So if you know he’s going to react, cue a different behavior or move away before he can. And get him to sit, down, leave it, watch me/eye contact, whatever.

Does this agility school offer obedience classes? I would sign up for one if so or ask for recommendations.

It’s possible he could also be barking out of excitement? Does he do this anywhere else? Some dogs get super amped up at agility hahah

 

[ShrekDawg]

I believe @oldhenlikesdogs had a GSD before? And @TwoShepherds might be able to help. Maybe @townchicks (can’t seem to tag them for some reason ? ) @BigBlueHen53 or @21hens-incharge ?? @sourland did you ever have a GSD? I know you have the beagles and Goldens but I seem to recall you saying you had a GSD at one point too ?? Sorry, just trying to tag all the dog/GSD people
I can think of haha I’ve tried to help but I don’t have direct experience with this breed so I have no idea if my idea even works for them haha

 

[21hens-incharge]

I find exercising them beforehand helps. I mean REALLY work them. Get them tired.

I know it is counter intuitive since the class is agility but he is on full alert to strangers and other dogs. A tired dog is a good dog.

I would also like to know how he is with basic training.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Oh and on leash is WAY different than off leash.

Not all dogs react to being on leash in a group the same way.

On leash on a collar is also different than in a body harness. I had one dog that a leash on her collar was the cue to be a jerk and yank me all over. That same dog in a body harness was good as gold.