Training an Aggressive German Shepherd around Other Dogs

In this video I bring Sonny back to the park around other dogs to work on his aggression. German Shepherd can be dangerous if they're left untrained and if you ignore bad behaviors such as dominance and aggression.
If you'd like to see my complete online dog training, check:
robertcabral.com
My complete Shelter Dog Training Course is here:
robertcabral.com/shelter-dog-...
I've trained countless aggressive and dangerous dogs in my work at animal shelters, private clients, protection dogs and more. Understanding the triggers that make dogs aggressive and setting up a standard of communication that is fair to the dog is the biggest secret in solving aggression before it becomes hard wired in the dog's mind.
There are some simple steps that I address in this video. Sonny did 3 sessions with me, this is session 2. After these sessions Ben (Sonny's dad) had a much better grasp on the behavior and was able to handle Sonny and create a better life for him. He's now doing mondo ring and loving life. Structure and understanding was a big part of this.
It's my goal to help you better understand your dog and behaviors that others try to mask or ignore. Watch this video, be sure to subscribe to my channel and you'll be notified of all my new content.
#aggressivedog #dogaggression

[@calvintompkins2111]

This is Sonny’s owner and Sonny has made great progress since this video. Now when we pass dogs, I will give him a heel command and correct for breaking the heel. The same concept introduced by Robert here, and we built off that. Overall his dog reactivity has reduced and when it does pop up it’s much more manageable. Thanks Robert!

[@jpaleblue]

Great to hear from you!

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Thanks for posting this Ben. You did a lot of hard work and the results show. So happy for you and proud of your dedication. Undoubtedly many would never have given their dog these tools and training. Keep in touch and give Sonny a big hug from me.

[@LauraHopkinsCDL]

@@RobertCabralDogs Brilliant video Robert. Thanks for showing how firm corrections need to be at times.

[@LauraHopkinsCDL]

@@jpaleblue Hi Janet. Hope you are doing well : ) You looked great with Dwain heeling beautifully.

[@Noahsark17]

Yes, dedicated owners are beautiful.

[@nicolasderuiter1699]

I have a similar dog -- same breed, razor focused, potentially reactive. Using Robert's principles, we repeated the exercise a thousand times over. Every week, month, year...our dog improves. Enjoy the process, be patient, never give up, and amazing things happen!

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

“A thousand times repeated routine”? If it did not make sufficient difference in one month worth of everyday training , then the method is wrong for your dog and for yourself. Change the method, ask for a second opinion.

[@nicolasderuiter1699]

@@zvonimirtosic6171 Improvement was noticeable right away…the repetitions are in increasingly challenging situations, and to sharpen skills every day…and yet, indeed, I’m always learning new angles and approaches

[@paulweatherford5544]

Too many people try to comfort a high drive GSD like this with praise without corrections which only reinforces the reactivity because the GSD thinks he is doing his job. Keeping the dog under command let’s him know the behavior is not acceptable and needs to listen to the handler. My point of view. Great video!

[@doxlab]

this one is show line

[@wadebradley9281]

My GSD had this tendency as a younger dog. Prey drive wasn't this strong but this is exactly the behavioral training that he required. You're right, mine thought he was doing his job.

[@paulweatherford5544]

@@doxlab the straight back made me think he was a working line, but the principals are the same don’t you think? I’m not an expert trainer, I just handle dogs. Robert explains it well.

[@doxlab]

​@@paulweatherford5544 Did not want to disagree with your statement. Just wanted to point out there are levels to drive. This one seems to me like a american show line for the most part. The size, nerves & slope makes the impression. At least for my two working line shepherds, they show real aggression if they would show any kind of aggression towards dogs. They would stiffen up, chest out, ears stiff, tail up & spine hair to the sky. Then they would follow up with a deep growl/barking. It would be more of a defensive mode & indicate to keep distance. Whereas this dog has a high pitch bark . The black dog wants to get closer. Also the body language is different, more of a playful manner or maybe insecure. He is decreasing his posture.

[@rico4you]

I like how Robert says NO just once and then applies corrections, See so many owners abusing the word NO constantly while basically screaming at their dog. Awesome work Robert!

[@merholland8707]

Or repeating commands constantly. It becomes background noise to the dog.

[@douggarrett5288]

My dog thinks his name is No

[@jkd2608]

I really like Robert & his content but in this video, many times he corrects and then says 'no' (or at the same time as the correction) instead of "no" and then correction so the dog learns what "no" predicts, learns that "no" means correction. He also repeated "sit" A LOT!

[@Syruply]

I have a very similar dawg (same coat and breed) and he displays a very similar reactivity around other dogs and some persons. Thank you for this video! Very clear.

[@NonstopCJ]

You have good patience Rob

[@RealMeatyBalls]

Really respect that you show corrections too and not just the r+ stuff.

[@backkat9475]

Really, really helpful. I have a very leash reactive Blue Heeler. Working on it, but always afraid my correction timing is off and he thinks the other dog is causing the "pop". Appreciate using a realistic situation.

[@wadebradley9281]

I love that the training sessions are training owners just as much as the dogs.

[@vinceking7651]

Trying to keep the leash pressure right can be tricky and I do struggle with doing so sometimes. I find myself marching back and fourth with my GSD and then walking calmly with other dog owners that have there dogs on a leash from across the road and then I explain what I am doing or trying to achieve with my dog to these random people. It's tricky sometimes especially when there's other dog owners just letting their dogs do what they like . I always create distance so I can and gain my dog's attention. I need to try harder but it's just tricky with other people all the time. I have been working in an area up the road from me that has a wooded area and roads running alongside it so I can cross the road and create distance and hopefully the other dogs owners won't want their off leash dog's following and that has been working and then I cross the road and start train again. Thank you Robert, it's been a struggle but I am working to get better for my dog all the time.

[@sissizhang9648]

I do understand that you are experiencing with your dog and I am doing and more doing same thing with my dog like I think. With love of dog and I wish you all the best.

[@vinceking7651]

I've been trying to work on this with my dog. I'm getting there slowly and always doing my best.

[@GusI727]

I taught my dog a “let’s go” or follow me command. Not as strict as a heel or a sit, might be an easier request for your dog to comply with. Sure was for my rottie. Now her arousal state around dogs is great and she’s rather do her own thing than fixate on them.

[@rongarris8574]

My 3 year old GSD Scout is very stubborn and acts like Sonny did when the video was made. When Scout is focused on a dog or even hearing a dog bark across the wood fence in my neighbor's yard, he abandons listening to my commands. He has never biten another dog but it is super frustrating when walking him in the neighborhood and having to do a 180 when another dog is in his sight. I had Scout trained with a e-collar at a boarding facility that specializes in K9 and GSD training in general. Scout will come to me most of the time if I send a very light sensation to his collar. However, once a dog comes within his sight, the e-collar becomes ineffective. I love Scout but I was hoping that he would be like my female GSD that I had when I was in my 20s. Alice worshipped me and would not take her eyes off of me. Kind of like the way Goofy is with you. I have no doubt that if someone tried to enter my home or attack me in public, Scout would take the person down in a heartbeat. Glad to hear that Sonny has made some substantial improvement.

[@markmclherron2885]

Best video I've seen on dog reactivate in a long time. Adventuring the tight leash trigger and the shuttle corrections just to help really great such a great learning experience.

[@P_Petkov]

Brilliant

[@jenniferforde8203]

Robert is Such a good trainer , such a lovely non aggressive way of training dogs, but they no he is the boss. Another good and informative training video..

[@bitedawg]

very intresting session sir,thank you for uploading !

[@claudiacanales2662]

Such a useful video!!!! Thank you!!!! 🙏🏼

[@k9wolfchiconnection427]

Excellent video

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Very cool.. Great dog training.. It's obvious you know what you're doing!

[@akelauntouchable7848]

Nice training 👌🏾🐾

[@xitaris5981]

My dog has to pop my leash every time I see a human too, it's ruff being a pet owner, but it's getting better since watching Robert's video

[@baileyarivor693]

Thanks for this video Robert,i will try it with my dog reactive malinois.My biggest hurdle is dealing with stray dogs who try to approach us.

[@sissizhang9648]

Great video, it’s exactly what I need. My dog is always over reacting when she sees other dogs or squirrels or something. I will try the walking to opposite direction method. I am kind of use sit or down to correct her but not that efficient yet but I might add loose leash and firm up my commend and see if works better.

[@jeffmargel9474]

Only tips I can give is to stop using the word 'No'. It's too common. He could be laying around being good and you answer someone's question with a 'No' and he is wondering what he did wrong. I would use 'Leave it' or something different and stick to that command. If you want to use 'No' then it's No then the action (No jump, No bark, etc..). Another tip if he knows sit, don't repeat the command. Say it once, if he refuses do it for him. By repeating the command you are training him to be defiant.

[@a.e.s.n.]

I use leave it as well instead of no. My dog understands leave it is when she sees another dog.

[@Azazel518]

another great training video Robert...I have a question. My friend has just bought a puppy with the view to get it trained as an assistance dog to monitor her daughters diabetes...have you any experience training this or any previous vids to train this?. kind regards 🙏

[@zhippidydoodah]

He looks very young.

[@SOT4186]

Hi i like your video. I want to adopt from a shelter. How do I find the dog that is blanched. What I have to look for?

[@blairjosephbernard2011]

What kinda a collar are you using. My German shepherd Aggressive Towards my other dog when outside but inside house have no problem with the dogs. If any tips or Advice on how to Gain control

[@brutalitiez1794]

I don’t know where to ask this lol, but what soap do you bathe your dogs with ?

[@lynnchiodo.1233]

The prong or what collar is in use?

[@thinkahead1894]

Would I do this same idea with introducing a sheppard to new puppies? He nipped at two of the dogs I just got. Do I just tell him no loudly when he does it?

[@greatscottsartstudio8042]

It looks like the prong collar is NOT in use during this exercise correct? ??

[@bryandasilva5318]

hey Robert, thanks for the informative training video. just wondering, if you have a prong collar on the dog but are working with the flat lead during this session. is there a reason why you used the flat collar in this situation and not the prong collar?

[@saramations]

I thiiiiiink Sonny has a prong on, just hard to see. I think what you see mostly is his back up collar.

[@thankmelater1254]

I had that thought as well. It looks like he's on the flat collar. It seems something is missing the point with the dog.

[@sophias1670]

It’s clear this is an effective training method, however there’s plenty of research(plus common sense) that this doesn’t create a positive relationship between you and the dog. Positive reinforcement training can have its limitations but I’d much rather maintain a healthy relationship with my dog (maybe in combo with a very small amount of positive punishment or neg reinforcement if necessary for aggression)

[@RobertCabralDogs]

if positive reinforcement works, you don't need this. if it doesn't work you have two choices: correct or get rid of the dog!

[@GuitarNewz]

Wish someone would try thison a young Kuvasz, they're so different and less obedient by nature. They think by guarding (barking dog away) is pleasing you. A German S. pleases you by obeying you.

[@b.hope.23]

Which of Sonny's collars are you connected to when doing these corrections? Is it the flat collar?

[@RobertCabralDogs]

slip lead

[@sheilak4223]

I have a 3 yr old Westie who gets excited at dogs ( not aggressive) and whines , wants to see them . Would this method work ?

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Yes. 💯

[@riyasarker4896]

Hi, I volunteer in a animal shelter. I walk a GSD (8yrs) who is really good with humans but agressive towards other dogs. He has gotten into fights with other dogs in the shelter. How can I help this dog?

[@RobertCabralDogs]

solid obedience and neutral exposure is the key to helping dogs with aggression problems. Always use caution when handling these type of dogs. My Shelter Dog Training Course might be something to look into if you work or volunteer at an animal shelter: shelterdogtraining.com

[@riyasarker4896]

@@RobertCabralDogs Thank you

[@Primetiime32]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@LauraHopkinsCDL]

The full video on Roberts web site is such an excellent video. Strong willed dog that will thrive from correction coupled with praise.

[@aryah1513]

This isn’t bad but why not use negative reinforcement and gradually close the distance? Would look way nicer and harness drive rather than shut it down.

[@saramations]

I agree, a solid foundation of obedience is key. It's so important and is a good step with any dog. I don't know why many "new school" dog owners blow it off (in a denial sense).

[@zsahe21]

!!!!!

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

I beg some clarification and some alternate view on this issue. Firstly, aggression is unprovoked violent action. What is displayed in this video is not aggression but intimidation, which is reaction to an external situation the dog, and dog’s owner, can’t deal with properly. (1) Inexperienced and (2) fearful dogs, in hands of inexperienced and fearful owners, show intimidation. Aggression can happen in fully domestic animals, but it is rare because thousands of years of domestication gets rid of it! So it is very rarely a valid explanation for dog’s behaviour. (A) Aggression can exhibit if the dog lives in nerve-wrecking, hostile environment, for example, in the household full of swearing, yelling and domestic violence. There domestication traits regress, so to speak, the dog is under constant shock. After a while, such a dog can lounge out of blue in unprovoked action and do harm. (B) Aggression, together with neophobia (fear of new things) can also be hereditary trait. Dog’s parents, or that particular breeding line, might have had such issues (domestication regress, excessive violence at home, kennel, etc.) Beware when buying your dog, ask many questions and check thoroughly with other buyers. So before commencing any training to “solve aggression problems”, we must ascertain is it really an issue of aggression, or intimidation. Then, if the dog is coming back to training and does not show much progress, check (A) and (B), because those two condition the dog to the repeated failure. You can’t successfully train a dog which outside the training sessions lives in domestic hell, or, if the dog is genetically predisposed to it.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Aggression can be a genetic component of a dog and can also be a learned behavior. The dog in this video was reactive and bounced between prey and defense as can be ascertained by listening to his barks, body language and reaction to my corrections. The lesson in this video as well as the other two helped Ben better understand his dog and come to manage it.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

​@@RobertCabralDogs Mr Cabral, do you ask for the credentials from all the hundreds of anonymous people to whose comments you tick "like button"? Or do you ask for credentials from a person with the first and the last name who is begging some clarification? I begged clarification because I have an impression you exaggerate in your terminology to impress clients, to appear you can solve problems which, in reality, only thousands of years of good breeding can solve. This was not about dismissing the method you used. But I notice you diagnose one issue, but fix it with a remedy for a different issue. Eradicating aggression, or eradicating unprovoked violent action, was the first aim of thousands of years of dog breeding programs. We can't rely on animals that act violently if unprovoked. If the dogs were so prone to real aggression, then the breeding efforts in the last several thousand years were useless. The method used in this video is one used for correcting reactionary types of misbehaviour in inexperienced, unstructured or intimidated dogs. A similar (but not the same) method is used for calming down wild animals up to a certain level. But the difference is this: to the intimidated or inexperienced dog, the method brings it a new experience, sets perimeters, asserts proper structure. The dog reacts quickly (because of thousands of years of aimed breeding), calms down and is a happy pet. But a wild animal, or a dog with REAL aggression issues, would not react predictably nor reliably to this method. To those two, this should be repeated, by an experienced person, every day for the rest of their lives. That dog should not be used for breeding. If you indeed diagnosed real aggression in that dog - be it hereditary or conditioned - then as a dog trainer, you SHOULD know you can't leave that dog with an ordinary person. Handle it to a specialist, for long-term rehabilitation. Then you should lodge a complaint against the dog's breeder for breeding inadequate dogs.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

@@zvonimirtosic6171 thanks for your thoughtful reply. I generally ask for credentials of people who disagree with me in order to better understand where they are coming from as in their point of view. You bring up several good points. Those points are more completely addressed in my complete lessons on my member section. KZbin videos are short and aimed at quick explanations. People who desire to learn more generally will watch my member videos.

[@jpaleblue]

I think it’s awesome that you are so interested in and engaged with the videos. That’s what it’s all about.

[@Xoxojksn]

This is how my Female GSD acts smh. I’ve been trying so hard to correct her but I feel like my timing is off

[@jesnartindogan8588]

1st comment!