[gh10813]

Hi this is my first time posting. I have a German Shepherd pup who is now 10 months old and very good natured in the house but the last few weeks he is being very rough with other dogs down the park where I walk him regularly.
This has led to a few comments from other dog owners who I used to walk round the park with.
I really enjoy walking him in the park and love to see him playing with other dogs. I wouldn't say he is aggressive and backs down if another dog reacts but his play is very rough...any suggestions how to deal with this, thanks.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by gh10813

Hi this is my first time posting. I have a German Shepherd pup who is now 10 months old and very good natured in the house but the last few weeks he is being very rough with other dogs down the park where I walk him regularly.
This has led to a few comments from other dog owners who I used to walk round the park with.
I really enjoy walking him in the park and love to see him playing with other dogs. I wouldn't say he is aggressive and backs down if another dog reacts but his play is very rough...any suggestions how to deal with this, thanks.

Much of this is due to his age. He is coming into an age where the hormones are kicking in and therefore is starting to show more dominance. Has he been neutered?

[gh10813]

Originally Posted by Yogi

Much of this is due to his age. He is coming into an age where the hormones are kicking in and therefore is starting to show more dominance. Has he been neutered?

Yes he was neutered when he was 6 months.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by gh10813

Yes he was neutered when he was 6 months.

Good, this should greatly curb the hormones making him a much more playful dog. Aggressive dominance is usually common at this age when not neutered prior to males coming into their season which is around 6 to 7 months of age.
Good luck with him, GSD's can be a handful sometimes.

[nattiej1976]

Its a little like a growing child, they get to certain point where they push boundaries physically and mentally to find out where they are placed in the hierachy of things. Dont give up, its now up to you to let your dog know what your expectations of behaviour are. Reward the desired behaviours, when he plays gently offer praise and treats, when he starts getting a little rough, remove him from the situation with little reaction on your part, just pop the lead on and walk away calmly for a few minutes. Then bring him back in again, and once again reward the good, remove from the undesired. He will get the gist of what you are expecting pretty quickly being a GSD.
If you leave it ignored and allow it to continue you could risk it escalating.
Its not too late for you to continue enjoying your time in the park, you just need to let you little man know what YOU expect his behaviour to be.