I have never heard a story where a GSD did not protect their home and family when danger arose. In fact, any breed of dog can be aggressive given the right conditions. family breeds by the American Kennel Club. Yes, German Shepherds can be aggressive, and in some cases, their defensive and protective nature is used as a benefit for jobs like police and military work. Fact: This is not necessarily true. A generally pleasant dog Shepherd acclimate to your whole family. As is the case with other aggressive dogs, the dog is not the driving factor for behavior. Additional food for thought is that German Shepherds are naturally protective over their owner (completely the opposite of being aggressive towards them!). This doesnt mean however that German A German Shepherd that has received punitive training or subject to physical abuse, verbal abuse, violence, or aggression is more likely to attack an owner out of fear. With a hidden silly side, your German Shepherd will love playing with your kids, and will give them a run for their money with their high energy level. That doesnt mean they arent good with other dogs, however. In nearly all instances of this happening, it was found that there had been some foul play on behalf of the owner, or a previous owner. According to statistics, German Shepeherd is among five most dangerous dog breeds. Many well documented cases Many dog owners assume that because they are German Shepherds are not generally Just remember, if your kiddos are small, you should closely watch over them while they play with your German Shepherd. assume that they will be biters. A German Shepherd can become aggressive to a stranger because he perceives the stranger as a threat to his owner and his territory. If a German Shepherd bites, its likely there is a reason. http://eastwind-academy.com/Call (+20) 111 504 9999https://www.facebook.com/EastwindAcademyAlex trained at Eastwind Academy Personal Protection course . Shepherds, the dog is not at fault or the incident was not a case of If your kids are older, a great way to mix kids and dogs is to have your children assist with training your German Shepherd. German Shepherds have long been a popular family dog in the United States. Will I have to train my german shepherd to guard/protect me or will he already do it over time. German Shepherds are an incredible breed that most dog owners can make a part of their family with the right training and care. Raising any German Shepherd responsibly will result in a friendly, sociable, and gentle temperament, not an aggressive one. canine members of the family or with friends pets. The truth is that ANY breed can be aggressive under the wrong circumstances. [3] Coupled with their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police , guard and search and rescue dogs , as they are able to quickly learn various tasks and interpret instructions better than other breeds. German Shepherds have been frequently used for jobs that require them to be aggressive, and perhaps this leads to a judgement that they can or will become aggressive. Positive Reinforcement Training:In complete contrast, positive reinforcement involves no punishment and is by far the best way to raise an obedient, intelligent, friendly, and calm dog (whatever the breed). However, with good socialization and training, your German Shepherd can be a calm, sweet and loyal family dog. Shepherds havent been known to attack their owners. In a list of breeds most likely to bark as watchdogs, Stanley Coren ranked the breed in second place. German Shepherds have strong protective instincts and will defend their territory. They get bored easily as they need exercise, owner training, and lots of interaction. And as I explained previously, fearfulness is a driving force behind aggression. And this isnt just for better behavior towards other dogs either. Many times, the German Shepherd gets a bad rap as an aggressive dog. Myth #2 Are German Shepherds Friendly With Kids? German Shepherds are some of the kindest, friendliest, and most sensible dogs I have ever come into contact with. Fearfulness:The second source of aggression is fear. However, they are not the strongest biter. We see police dogs, military dogs and guard dogs on television and movies, and they are more often than not, German Shepherds. The women, ages 30 and 27, were treated for thrive with training and focus, and including your kids will help your German where a GSD has attacked their owner, there is a known history of abuse. Positive reinforcement teaches German Shepherds that they are rewarded and praised when they follow commands and show appropriate behavior. known to be biters. Two German shepherds attacked their owner and her friend about 1:30 p.m. Monday in the backyard of 33 Acorn Road. The advice given in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice in any context. Although GSDs are capable of attacking, it does not mean they will turn on their owner. Another essential part of raising a calm and well-behaved German Shepherd is ensuring they are sufficiently stimulated. This is kind of an odd myth, but one that is out there regardless. These amazing dogs are fiercely loyal, make fantastic family pets, are wonderful protectors, and their intelligence cannot be underestimated. Even small They are loyal, protective and can be trained to do so many things. Where this idea comes from Its hard to say exactly how this notion started, but the truth is that a young puppy that bites or otherwise acts aggressively is unlikely to cause much damage to an adult human, unless the pups teeth hit a nerve or an eyeball. And so this needs to be facilitated by the owner. Like any other breed of dog, however, you need to be a responsible dog owner when you mix kids and German Shepherd pups. This popularity, however, doesnt change the fact that there are some pretty serious myths and misconceptions about this much-loved breed. A well socialized and trained German Shepherd makes a great companion for kids. They are extremely German Shepherds are quite an intelligent breed, which means that you should be able to train them fairly easily. Having owned a German Shepherd myself for 13 years, and making friends with countless other GSD owners, there has never been a single discussion of a German Shepherd attacking or turning on their owner or family. "If there's competitive behaviour between them, that can lead to aggression between the dogs that can potentially be directed at an owner," Dr Wensley says. Yes, German Shepherds are essentially programmed to want to protect their loved ones, but this can present in many different forms. is difficult to measure, but there has been some research done on this subject. Are german shepherds naturally protective over their owners? In fact, it can be said that German Shepherds are so loyal and devoted to their owners they would put themselves in harms way in order to protect them. Thank you for reading! What are your thoughts on this? Also, make sure you keep your GSD on a leash until you are sure that they are comfortable with new dogs. Like the first few myths, this one has a lot to do with popular culture, poorly trained dogs, and a misunderstanding of German Shepherds. In many cases of injury caused to owners by German Yes, German Shepherds can be aggressive, If someone were to attack you in front of your dog, do you think your dog (or any untrained GS) would try to protect you? Socialization is another crucial part to raising a friendly and approachable German Shepherd. Myth #1 Do German Shepherds Attack their Owners? Myth #4 Will German Shepherd Dogs Become Aggressive? The German Shepherd is Whether youre their owner or just a stranger, they many other breeds of dogs. of pressure. German Shepherds have a tendency to do well in jobs that require them to become aggressive at a moments notice, but that doesnt mean that your family dog will all of a sudden flip out and be mean. The German Shepherd came in second with nearly The Puppy Mag is for all owners who are invested in the health and happiness of their furry friends. Because GSDs are highly intelligent, they And it is important to remember that bite pressure and the likelihood of biting dont necessarily go hand in hand. The average bite force of dogs is 269 pounds This is playing with fire. If German Shepherds are not socialized properly, they can be more attacking towards people, even their owner. Yes, any dog can attack its owner family. There are so many questions that we ask about our dogs and puppies on a daily basis, yet there just isn't an appropriate article made for them. Are They Yappy? We Got Answer, Are Border Collies Good For First Time Owners? Frequent exposure to strangers and dogs will keep your GSD feeling confident, calm, and friendly. While some of these myths have some reasonable support, some are just based on fear and misunderstanding. For dogs, biting is a response to fear and a need to defend themselves. Without enough stimulation, a GSD can become frustrated, disobedient, and even destructive. And like with any other breed of dog, a GSD that feels threatened, no matter how sweet they normally are, can become aggressive. It is true that female German Shepherds seem to be a bit more feisty towards other dogs. And Why Do They Attack Their Owners. This is huge. Then, their extreme sense of urgency for saving lives makes it possible for them to sacrifice their own. In most cases, it has been found that German Shepherds will act as a deterrent by barking and looking aggressive but they do not actually do anything physically. But is this action an actual attack or is it just a case of mistaken identity? Do German Shepherds Turn On Their Owners? Both physically and mentally. This poses an important question for many GSD owners: Can German Shepherds attack their owners? Almost everyone has heard a horror story that featured a Doberman Pinscher or a German Shepherd turning on his owners. Big dogs bite harder than tiny dogs, but that doesnt mean they are more likely to bite. What Could Cause a GSD To Attack Their Owner? There are a lot of training videos online (YouTube) with lots of great advice. In short, German shepherds do not discriminate. Socializing your GSD involves actively meeting new dogs and strangers on a frequent basis right from puppyhood. German Shepherds can be trained to strong, protective dogs, but does that mean they are inherently aggressive? GSDs have a strong desire to be put to work both physically and mentally. All GSD owners know that dog hair is a way of life. Fact: German Shepherds are consistently scored as one of the most popular Socialization will also teach your German Shepherd how to behave appropriately around new dogs and people. Teaches owners how to be better communicate and care for dogs in general. And female German Shepherds seem to be more easily irritated by other dogs. Even though we love them as part of our family, they are still animals who behave on in built instincts. The vast majority of German Shepherds are simply acting as family pets, not guard dogs. Likewise, its important to teach your kiddos safe behavior around all dogs, to avoid unintentional negative interactions. https://deutscher-schaeferhund.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/4-Are-German-Shepherds-dangerous_-5-Myths-vs.-5-Facts.jpg, https://deutscher-schaeferhund.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/german-shepherd-logo.png, Are German Shepherds Dangerous? You could count the times on one hand where my German Shepherd, named Gena, ever showed even a hint of aggression in the 13 years she was with us. Breeds do not decide one day to attack their owners, but scared, undisciplined, or abused dogs do. territory with larger dogs. German Shepherds are best known for their guard dog qualities and faultless attacking skills. Perhaps this myth is again fed by the breeds They use their smarts to grasp the seriousness of a situation. GSDs sometimes forget their size and can knock over a tiny kiddo who just wants to play. And even those GSDs will still have a natural instinctive tendency to protect their owner and their property. This is why its crucial to start as young as possible (from 7 weeks) to start developing their social skills. bite that measured at 328 pound of pressure. a GSD can be very relaxed and calm. The training a German shepherd receives is largely responsible for its behavior. Its these kinds of owners that use punitive training methods and abuse their GSDs in order to gain some kind of control over their purposefully-made aggressive guard dog. The greater the experience, the better the behavior. 5 Myths vs. 5 Facts, Are German Shepherds Picky Eaters? Few dogs bite without being provoked. German Shepherds are no more likely to attack their owner than any other breed. German Shepherds, like most other dogs will take any action necessary to protect themselves when they are feeling threatened, even if the threat is their owner. Its incredibly important that they are raised responsibly. These dogs tend to act aggressively, and have been known to unintentionally injure their owners.