[UnderDog]

Basically, me and my fiance' have a GSPxGWP, who we love to peices and could never replace, but recently he has become too big for his boots..he is fine out in the field hunting, he is fine with other people whilst out hunting but if I walk around the streets with him he barks and growls at ever person in sight - apart from me and fiance'. Everybody is telling me to have him PTS but I dont see why? he is 'my babe' who I love soooo much but do I wait until he does hurt somebody - if he ever does? I dont belive he will, but he even worrys me sometimes. He dosent make an attempt to get to the person he is barking at just sits there making a heck of a noise and I am scared one day somebody will call the police/AC and I will either the dog taken away or sued. What do you all think I should do?

What is GSPxGWP? Has he been neutered? Age?

[UnderDog]

Originally Posted by splinters

What is GSPxGWP? Has he been neutered? Age?

German Shorthaired PointerXGerman Wirehaired Pointer

Neutered when he was a year old

2006 Dog

I don't think I would have him PTS. {Actually I know I wouldn't}. Is he on a leash when he is doing the carrying on? Is he fine with people coming in the house when you guys are there? I think it sounds like he is just being protective of you. Maybe if you work on the training. Does he also get alot of excersize?

Couple of questions for you Underdog, to go along with the ones Splinters asked. First off how old is he? How long ago did this start, and has anything changed in his home life, that may have triggered this?
If hes not acting agressive besides the barking, as far as I know there isnt anything that anyone can do to cause him to be taken away from you. As long as there isnt any underlying causes that have started this behaviour, I would work on teaching him not to bark when hes out. You say hes sitting there barking, if thats the case, get his attention and tell him hush as you distract him, as soon as hes quiet reward him with a treat or attention or some such. Make sure you dont give him any kind of reward untill he has stopped barking though. If somethings recently changed in his homelife that may have started the barking then I would suggest working on that first then working on the barking. As a last resort, if your really afraid that he may bite someone you can use a muzzle when your out walking. He wont like it at first but if you slowly introduce him to it he will get used to wearing it.
I hope any of this helps and good luck with him, he sounds like a good boy besides his barking when out for walks.

If this is a sudden behavior change, your first step is to have your vet check him over for any medical issues that could be the cause.

If he checks out fine at the vet, institute a "nothing in life is free" program. Make him work for his dinner, make him wait until you give the OK before he starts to eat, make him wait before he walks out the door. Impress upon him that you are the leader.

When he starts barking and carrying on at people, how do you respond? You might actually be encouraging the behavior, without realizing it. Use distraction, rather than correction.

Make him sit, tell him "Quiet", and stick a piece of food in his mouth. I know this sounds like you're rewarding him for barking, but he has to shut up to eat it. After a few times, tell him "Quiet" and wait. He'll probably pause to see if you're going to give him that piece of food. If he does, praise him and give him the treat. Keep working that way, and start including "Settle" and "Calm" along with the "Quiet".

Also remember to keep your voice low and calm. No high pitch, no loud voices, no anger or frustration. You want him to learn to settle and calm himself, so keep your voice calm.

[wishbone]

Show him who's the boss... Training him with useful commands like "no", "stop" or recall using whistle or something. Give him a treat whenever he does, seek some more advice on how interrupting him growling and barking on other people.

Make him sit, tell him "Quiet", and stick a piece of food in his mouth. I know this sounds like you're rewarding him for barking, but he has to shut up to eat it. After a few times, tell him "Quiet" and wait. He'll probably pause to see if you're going to give him that piece of food. If he does, praise him and give him the treat.

LOL, I had never thought of it like that, I LOVE it!

If he hasn't attacked anyone, I don't know why anyone would tell you to put him to sleep, underdog...Is he rearing on the leash attempting to attack? Or just barking ferociously.

Why is the first thing that comes out of your mouth puttng him to sleep? Not knowing much of anything about dogs, I'd take vetgroomer's suggestions.

Personally, I wouldn't put him to sleep. I would consult a professional to see if he can reverse this behavior. If it can't, I would just take extra precautions such as muzzling him in public. You can also walking him in down times such as early morning or very late evenings.

Just me 2 cents.

[UnderDog]

First, dont know how to take that wouldbedogowner - I DONT want (and refuse ) to have him PTS. Nothing has changed, but we recently had a young litter of pups and thats when it started...he has become dad to them and is teaching them alot...

He is 2 yr's old and started about a month ago, he dosent even move from where he is..and its more like "here, looook play with me!!!!" bark and the growl is like when you play tug-o-war with them and they growl playfully, not meanly but he dosent make any attempt to get to the person. There is nothing wrong with his health and pro trainers are baffled...I tell him quiet or down and he will stop and lay down, problem sorted (I never actually give him a treat since I learned the harsh way around treats!) and he has a fuss and then its over...He does work for his food...heck! I dont even serve it to him...he eats what he catches in the field whilst out hunting or what he flushes for the hawks (rabbit, phesant, duck, moorhen, quail etc) and then he always waits until he is called or given the "ok" to eat before eating his meals and then is given about 1/4 of his daily food as tidbits from doing agility. He is a pretty calm dog, never shown aggression. When people come into the house he does the same but again I tell him quiet and he goes back to his kennel (outdoors) and if he is in his outdoor kennel he barks at people outside the kennels until I tell him down and he wanders off. He has never even shown any sign of dominance, he never sleeps in my bed, respects what I say and what I say goes and I can always keep the upper-hand on walks.

Hope I answered all the questions!

no ideas besides to continue what your doing and it should sink in edventually. best of luck with him and i agree i deffinatly would NOT put him to sleep

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online blog

Originally Posted by UnderDog

German Shorthaired PointerXGerman Wirehaired Pointer

Neutered when he was a year old

2006 Dog

well honestly its really hard to tell that..that is a rare kind of a dog..

Hi ! I'd like to ask you do you hobbys blog's ?
exciting blog

If I were you, I would not put him to sleep. Ask a professional help in regards to this. Take your pet to the vet.