German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, but they can also be one of the more aggressive breeds. Since before WWI, German Shepherds have been bred to protect their owners and property from harm! So, when do German Shepherds get aggressive?
German Shepherds can become aggressive in a number of cases. The most common causes of aggression in this dog breed include fear, dominance, injury, and illness. However, there is a long list of reasons why a German Shepherd may seem suddenly aggressive.
Stick around as we help you understand precisely when German Shepherds will become aggressive and what causes it.
When do German Shepherds Get Aggressive?
German Shepherds tend to be calm and collected dogs. However, they can be pushed to become aggressive in certain situations. Let’s check out some reasons why a German Shepherd may become aggressive.
Fear
Fear aggression is a type of aggression in which the dog is afraid and has an intense fear-based reaction to people or other animals. It’s triggered by any sudden, loud, or unfamiliar noise.
Fearful dogs can also become aggressive when they’re cornered with no way out, feel trapped in small spaces, are physically restrained for too long, such as during grooming or veterinary procedures, or if someone tries to take away their food bowl.
Fear aggression often manifests itself as barking and growling at strangers who come within proximity of the home; nipping/biting when touched; lunging at family members when they approach the dog while it’s eating; and excessive licking (a sign of stress).
Fear aggression may also show up in the form of submissive urination, in which the dog pees when it’s frightened or feels like it’s being threatened.
Territorial Aggression
Territorial aggression is defined as any dog’s instinct to guard its territory against anything that may pose a threat. This type of aggression is often triggered when the dog feels like it needs to protect its property, including its food, sleeping area, toys, or other belongings.
Dogs with this type of aggression can present with signs such as growling if their space is invaded, biting if an intruder gets too close, defending their food bowl with their teeth, and snapping at anyone they perceive as a threat within the household.
Social Aggression
On the other hand, social aggression is defined as dogs acting aggressively towards people or animals to try and exert control over them.
Social aggression often occurs when an owner greets an older dog who doesn’t want to be touched. This could include the dog growling, barking, or biting when someone tries to touch them; or when visiting family members attempt to hug or kiss the dog.
Redirected Aggression
Redirected aggression is a type of aggression in which an aroused dog behaves aggressively toward an innocent bystander after being unable to attack the target initially motivated to bite.
It’s usually exhibited by dogs raised together, and one decides they don’t like a stranger who comes into their space, which triggers another dog in the household to act out against the victim.
It can also happen during play between pets. This can include two dogs playing too aggressively or focusing too much on being dominant. Unfortunately, another dog playing nearby may take the brunt of the attack.
Frustration Aggression
German Shepherds may become aggressive when they are frustrated. For example, a German Shepherd may become aggressive when it is not given enough exercise or confined to a small space.
German Shepherds may also become aggressive if they are teased. For example, a child pulling on a German Shepherd’s tail or spraying it with a hose can cause the dog to become aggressive towards that specific child.
If not given enough exercise and companionship, German Shepherds may be more likely to get into fights with other dogs. If this behavior is repeated, it can lead to more severe aggression such as possessive aggression, dominance aggression, etc.
A lack of discipline from the owner will also contribute to possessive and dominant aggression in German Shepherds.
Once these behaviors have been displayed several times by the dog, the owner loses control over the situation. This makes it difficult for them to enforce commands they may give to the dog.
Dominance Aggression
Although similar to territorial aggression, dominance aggression is the most common type of aggression in dogs and is usually displayed when the dog feels like it needs to assert its dominance over people or animals.
Dominant dogs may growl, snap, or even bite if another person or animal tries to take away what they’re guarding. Dogs may also become agitated and aggressive when someone approaches them while eating or playing with a toy.
Aggression in Non-Spayed & Neutered Dogs
A German Shepherd may also be aggressive if not spayed or neutered. This is because estrogen and testosterone can cause aggressiveness. This is why some people recommend spaying or neutering their German Shepherds so that this won’t be an issue.
Although, you should consult your veterinarian to know if getting your dog spayed or neutered is the best choice and if your dog is the right age for this kind of operation.
Injury or Illness Aggression
Some dogs may become aggressive when they’re in pain or feeling ill. This is known as injury or illness aggression. Signs that a dog is exhibiting this type of aggression can include whining, cowering, shaking, and even attacking people or other animals.
Dogs may become aggressive to protect themselves from further injury or to get away from the person or animal that is causing them pain.
Are German Shepherds Aggressive Towards Humans?
When you’re considering bringing home a German Shepherd, it’s essential to know that they might be aggressive towards humans.
The different types of aggression include territorial aggression, dominance aggression, and protection/defense-motivated aggression, as we have covered previously.
However, they only become aggressive when under certain circumstances. These dogs are not usually aggressive unless they have a reason to be. A reason they may become aggressive can be any of the ones listed above.
Are German Shepherds Aggressive Towards Dogs?
German Shepherds are not usually aggressive against other dogs. However, there is no guarantee that this will always be true because it depends on their environment or experiences with other animals.
Some reasons that a German Shepard may become aggressive against another animal include:
- If they have been attacked by an animal before.
- If they have seen someone being attacked by an animal before.
- If they were attacked as a puppy and it was not corrected.
These dogs are pretty playful; therefore, any growling or aggression you notice when your dog is around another dog is most likely playful in nature. However, it would be best not to overlook this, as playful aggression can quickly turn to severe aggression.
This is why you should never let two dogs be alone without supervision.
Symptoms of Aggression
The symptoms of aggression in German Shepherds are variable. The following are some of the symptoms that you might see in your dog if aggression is an issue that they face:
- Depression, destruction of items in the home, withdrawal from human contact.
- Possessiveness over certain things, which might be considered mild if it’s just food, chewing on furniture or rugs, growling at you while you attempt to pet them or give them their favorite treats
- Reactivity towards other animals or people who you would typically find at home, barking excessively when it seems over-the-top for the situation.
- Reluctance to wake up in the morning or even get out of bed. This can be due to anxiety or insecurity when left alone.
If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, it might indicate aggression, and you should consult with a professional trainer or behaviorist to find out the underlying cause.
German Shepherds are often considered one of the more aggressive breeds in the United States, but there are ways to train them and help them feel more comfortable in their environment. With a little bit of work, you can have a well-behaved and happy dog!
How to Prevent German Shepherd Aggression
Luckily, there are ways to prevent this aggression from developing. Aggression is often caused by fear or anxiety about something that’s happening around them; it could also be related to territorial behavior.
Sometimes your German Shepherd may show signs of aggression, including growling, barking incessantly at other people and animals, or even nipping them. This doesn’t mean they’re naturally aggressive. It could be a sign of some stress or anxiety.
As with any type of bad behavior in dogs (or children!), prevention is easier than solving problems later on down the line!
There are many things you can do right from the start to help prevent aggression in your German Shepherd:
- Make sure they get plenty of exercise. A tired dog is a good dog!
- Ensure they have a good diet and plenty of fresh water.
- Start obedience training as soon as possible. This will help establish a strong bond between you and your dog and will also help teach them how to behave appropriately around other people and animals.
- Be consistent with rules and discipline. Dogs need structure in their lives just like children do!
If aggression does occur, it’s essential to take action right away. There are many different types of aggression, so it’s necessary to figure out what’s causing your dog’s behavior. Once you know the root of the problem, you can treat it as needed.
How to Start Obedience & Aggression Training
To avoid aggression, you will need to be prepared to dedicate your time and effort to training your German Shepherd to be obedient and refrain from showing aggression. Here are some tips to help you:
- The first step to training a GSD is meeting their needs. Ensure that they are fed well, exercised regularly, and appropriately sheltered. If these things aren’t satisfied, then it’s unlikely that your dog will listen to anything else you say.
- Begin with teaching your dog some basics like how to sit on command or stay when told– this should be done without any form of physical contact other than verbal cues (i.e., no touching). Once your dog has mastered these commands, you can move on to more complex tasks.
- German Shepherds are one of the most versatile breeds in terms of obedience training. They can excel in various activities such as agility trials, herding, tracking, and Schutzhund. However, they can also be stubborn at times and require patience and consistency when training.
- One of the reasons GSDs can be aggressive is that they are bred as working dogs. They are often used by the military, police departments, and search-and-rescue teams.
As a result, they can be territorial and protective of their family and property. It is essential to teach them that strangers are not a threat unless you tell them otherwise. - Because puppies can learn new things much easier than adult dogs, always start obedience and aggression training while the dog is a puppy.
Final thoughts
If you’re considering bringing a German Shepherd into your home, it’s essential to be aware of the different types of aggression that these dogs can exhibit. Knowing what to look for can help you train and manage your dog better and keep everyone safe.
Aggression in dogs can be dangerous, so it’s always best to take steps to prevent it from happening in the first place. Consult with a professional trainer if you’re having trouble managing your dog’s aggressive behavior.
And remember, always keep an eye on your dog when other people or animals are around-you never know when they might start acting out!
