The German Shepherd ranks among the most impressive and obedient family animals, with many families across the world considering it an ideal pet. Some people consider the German Shepherd aggressive mainly due to its use as a military dog. Many people assume that the dog would attack its owner; is this true?
A German Shepherd can attack its owner. However, German Shepherd dogs do not attack their owners any more frequently than other dog breed. If a German Shepherd attacks its owner, it is most likely due to trauma or an unfavorable living environment.
Read on to understand some of the reasons why a German Shepherd man attack its owner, things to consider, and the steps to take if your German Shepherd attacks you.
What Could Make Your German Shepherd Attack You?
If your German Shepherd attacks you unexpectedly, environmental, biological, or genetic factors might be responsible. Some of the leading reasons why your dog might attack you are:
Mistreatment
Your German Shepherd might attack if it was subjected to mistreatment recently. It could be that you or another person mistreated the dog causing behavioral issues. Abuse of mistreatment is the most obvious reason why an adult dog would be aggressive towards its owner. Most dog owners would never hurt or hit their dogs intentionally because this might arouse aggressive behavior.
Many cases of German Shepherd aggressiveness result from the confrontational habits applied by dog owners. You should avoid punishing or being aggressive towards your German Shepherd. Instead, it would be best to use positive reinforcement to help your dog behave in the right manner.
Undesirable Temperament
There is a low likelihood that a well-bred dog will attack its owner. The development of poor pedigrees results in German Shepherd dogs with aggressive behavior. Undesirable temperaments result from poor breeding and lack of knowledge by dog owners or breeders.
Sponsors and dog breed organizations are aware of the ‘aggressive traits’ associated with the German Shepherds. Through selective breeding, professional dog breeders can eliminate aggressive temperament in the German Shepherd.
Poor Training
You might be surprised to learn that one of the leading reasons German Shepherds attack their owners is poor training. The tendency of a German Shepherd attacking its owner will depend on how well it is trained. You should train your dog appropriately and ensure that it can obey basic commands. A dog must understand the consequences of misbehaving.
While training a German Shepherd, it is important to establish an alpha or a dominant party in your relationship since this dog breed has an instinct to pack animals. You can establish yourself as the alpha if you start feeding and training the dog from its childhood. The dog will develop an unconditional submission to you for its lifetime. If you do not establish dominance, the dog might try to claim the alpha position.
Unhealthy Home Environment
The German Shepherd’s environment determines its likelihood to attack its owner. This dog breed has high energy levels and requires ample exercise of not less than three hours daily. If the dog does not get sufficient exercise or lacks socialization and boredom sets in, it might attack its owner.
Subjecting the German Shepherd to confinement increases its chances of attacking the owner. If the dog escapes the confinement, it is likely to attack due to a lack of interaction and socialization. Human behavior towards the dog also determines its likelihood to attack humans. Human habits that could trigger aggression include withholding food, abusing the dog by beating or yelling at it, or other hostile behavior.
If there is limited interaction between a German Shepherd and its owner, aggressive behavior may occur. The dog will not have an emotional attachment to humans and will view them as objects. If an emotional attachment is absent, it is easy for a German Shepherd to attack its owner.
Human Behavior Issues
Certain human behavior may trigger aggressiveness in a German Shepherd. Therefore, it is vital to understand the dog and human interactions. Human habits that may make a German Shepherd uneasy include staring at the dog for an extended period. Surprising or approaching the dog too quickly may trigger an attack.
Any behavior that makes the dog anxious or fearful may trigger an attack as the dog responds to the threat.
Resource Guarding
In certain circumstances, even a calm dog will be aggressive. Your German Shepherd might attack you if you approach it when it is eating or if you try to remove it from a place of rest. In this case, the dog is resource guarding or protecting its territory. In this case, you may consult a certified dog trainer to help you manage the aggression.
Injury
If a German Shepherd has suffered an injury and is in pain, it may lash out at its owner and attack when least expected. You can tell that your dog has an injury if it portrays signs of pain like limping and whining. If you notice such signs, you should take your pet to the vet.
How You Train Your German Shepherd
If your German Shepherd attacks you, chances might be that you trained the dog to be aggressive without even realizing it. You can reinforce aggressive behavior if you often give the dog the things it wants whenever it is aggressive. Such things may include treats, toys, or positive or negative attention.
You should avoid rewarding the German Shepherd when aggressive and use positive reinforcement to encourage good conduct.
Here is a video on how to train your German Shepherd dog:
Things To Consider If Your German Shepherd Attacks You
If your German Shepherd attacks you, it is important to consider several factors to understand what could have triggered the attack. You should consider when the dog started attacking. If a dog attacks you once, it was probably feeling threatened or simply resource guarding. If it attacks frequently, it might be a case of mistreatment or injury. You might also have trained the dog to be aggressive.
You should consider whether your German Shepherd becomes aggressive under certain circumstances. For instance, the dog only attacks when eating; it is mainly a case of resource guarding. However, if the aggression is frequent, you should be concerned.
Steps To Take When Your German Shepherd Attacks You
If your German Shepherd becomes aggressive under certain situations, you should try to avoid the situations that may trigger the aggression. You may get the help of a dog trainer to help you handle the dog. It is not advisable to try to train your dog not to attack you. Instead, you should consult a professional or a dog behaviorist.
If you suspect that your German Shepherd’s aggression is due to an injury, you should take the dog to a Vet. This will be the best option if the dog shows signs of injury. You may still take your dog to the Vet even if you do not understand the trigger of the aggressive behavior. This way, you will be able to rule out medical issues as the cause of aggression.
Final Thoughts
According to the American Kennel Club, German Shepherds are the second most popular family dogs. This high ranking is due to the dog’s temperament, making it a kind and loyal family dog. A well trained and socialized German Shepherd is a good company for you and the kids. Even if German Shepherds can sometimes be aggressive, they aren’t any more aggressive than other dog breed.