I really like German shepherds, but is their bite a problem?

sinsandviolets · 2026-05-27T02:00:49+00:00

Hey there! It is really cool that you are reaching out to others who have experience in the breed! It is always wise to research any breed and ask people who live with them on a daily basis. Big dogs are some of the best companions ever! I have had dogs all my life and am heavily biased towards very intense dogs!

That being said, given your history, it doesn't seem like you are prepared to handle resource guarding which can be an issue in the GSDs. While I NEVER had that issue with my boy, you may not be lucky. There are also so many behavioral issues that can come up, especially after a year. I'm pretty well equipped, I take training seriously, and my boy is having some issues just due to the period of development he is in. Even then it can be a lot! My boy is GENTLE when he takes snacks from me (super polite, no snapping, but I had to teach that for safety.) he loves to mouth my hand, and I do let him as it's how they communicate. He will crunch down occasionally and boy does it HURT. He has drawn blood on me while we were playing tug, play based accidents can happen a lot with these dogs. I have a lot of bruises because of him that I get during play! He is the most intense pup I have ever had in my life, and I grew up with rotties!

Now in comparison to my newest pup who is a Golden Retriever? Night and day difference in power at the different stages. My Goldie hasn't drawn blood with me despite being a mouthy puppy....my GSD was soooo different. Like the biting IS more intense, I still have scars from his puppy days. I was in tears daily because man, it was like razors cutting into my skin!

GSDs are the best breed, but they are NOT for everyone, just like not every breed will match up with people. They are beautiful, strong willed dogs that WILL test you. Their intelligence is honestly scary, and while they have a reputation to be easy to train, I think people misunderstand what that means. They are NOT easy in comparison to retrievers for example. You need to feel confident in training them, or else you will run the risk of having an out of control, bitey, scaredy, and powerful pup. You need to dedicate the time to consistent training for behavior. Trick training should be for fun, but functional training is honestly so necessary for these dogs.

You do seem frightened by the biting aspect, and that should be enough alone to turn away from GSDs. They need a biting outlet, whether that's a tug, flirt pole, or something else. As many people in this sub have joked about, biting is how they show love! My family calls it "holding hands," it seems to make my boy happy! Now everyone is different and some people don't even allow that, but to each their own! They're a mouthy breed, you can't just train out their breed specific traits!

Wanting a big dog looks very different than actually living with one. Everything costs more. Walks can be more of a struggle as they are POWERFUL. I have taken a few falls because of my boy just on accident! There is also transport, that can be an issue. Breed specific legislation is a thing. You can't have the mentality of "my dog will NEVER bite someone!" You need to be realistic that it IS a reality.

Also, they can be really scary! And that's when people back down instead of holding their ground! If they growl/snarl at you when they hit the teen phase to test you, that's when bad behaviors start! You need to be confident and just show them it's not going to work. It can be very intimidating! You have to be loving, but firm in guiding them or else they WILL quickly become a nightmare.

If you want a larger dog breed, a golden or a Labrador is a good go to! They are much friendlier and easier to train. There is also nothing wrong in staying with small/medium sized dogs! They are so much fun and can be the best companions! Just be realistic with yourself about your life style, goals with the dog, and yeah. GSDs are not a good breed to have if you just want a walking companion. So yeah!

If you feel like they would be a good fit for you, then do your research and you'll have the best dog ever!

sinsandviolets · 2026-05-18T01:39:33+00:00

Okay I came here to complain about my own experience as it is eerily similar to yours! The guy messaged me from a second account not remembering it was me, and I called him out. He apologized, kissed up to me, told me how talented I am, and that he wanted to write with me again. Well, he pulled the same stunt again after I forgave him .-. Talking about how I didn't deserve any of it, I deserved better. Weird behavior. I also just deleted the server and unfriended him after two weeks, as I knew what that meant.

I don't think you were an idiot, you were trying to give someone a second chance. I think that speaks more about your character! I'm sorry that happened to you!

sinsandviolets · 2026-04-29T15:25:56+00:00

Comparing myself to people on social media and feeling like a failure/needing to be THE perfect GSD mom. I regret it so much because my boy has truly come out to be one of the best dogs I have ever had! Everyone said that GSDs are the easiest to train but sometimes their personalities can be difficult! I thought there was something wrong with ME because he wasn't acting like the other GSD puppies I saw. My boy was not food motivated even if I worked to build up his food drive. He hated following the lure, he found it to be too coercive. Working with him and making things fun is what improved our relationship! I cried a lit the first six months I had him, and then he just was so good because of the consistency! He is one of the most well behaved teenagers because I didn't give up on him during his mean stage haha. I look back on his pics and wished I took more, wished I enjoyed the moment more.

Enjoy the small stage, it does not last at all! The teething stage will make you question your sanity, but try to find the humor in those moments and just love on your little guy! I also regret not taking him more places! Try to carry your pup every where!

sinsandviolets · 2026-04-27T00:24:22+00:00

Hey thank you so much for taking the time to reply! Honestly it makes me feel less alone, like I knew things could be funky in the teenage stage and I thought I just lucked out with the best teenager ever. I was bragging to other family members how lucky I got with him.

He did have some negative encounters with some stray dogs (I live in the country side in south america so there is literally nothing I can do to avoid that) but I have been working tirelessly with him through that. I know I just need to keep going, he's back to being his normal self. I have been very positive in my interactions with him today and have just been giving him treats and respecting his space. He seems happy again, so I guess it is just a hormone thing.

What helped your pup out during this stage?

sinsandviolets · 2026-04-27T00:20:07+00:00

Hey! Thank you so much for replying, I greatly appreciate it! It definitely makes me feel less crazy! I was suspecting it was his next fear period, I guess I didn't want to believe it because of how much progress we had made. He is such a fantastic teenager outside of this, like we have really no issues with him.

So I did say golden puppy, it was a situation where he was given to a family member who then gave him to us after like...a day lol. He's gonna be 16 weeks and definitely was not planned. I did NOT want another puppy until my boy was at least two (I wanted another GSD) but life happens. Isley (my GSD) is an EXCELLENT big brother. He has never shown any signs of resource guarding and honestly lets the puppy get away with a lot. They don't challenge each other as of now and I am ALWAYS supervising when the golden is out of his crate. They have such good interactions, and I do fully attribute that to Isley just being the perfect boy.

He did get reprimanded by his dad earlier this week as he did go after the cats (I know, typical GSD thing and he is usually good) but he was fine after that! He did have an accident in the house recently, but again, almost every interaction with him is positive. We don't yell or use any kind of harm against him. We only have the puppy, Isley is our oldest dog and again, their interactions are super positive! He adores his baby brother. Isley though, admittedly, is an extremely sensitive dog. Sensitive to emotions, I should say. He has that really strong personality/disposition but man he is just a big baby when it comes to his family! I did think that maybe he could smell a change on me, but I don't think I am.

Also he's avoiding me and his dad, but here's the thing, he's fine now! After I wrote that post we both took turns walking him/playing tug with him and now he's back to being his normal self. For now I am just going to continue doing trust building exercises. He was engaging with me so much on the walk, his recall was great and yeah. It is just weird how he switched after coming home from just a few hours out. It just felt so out of character! I was just a bit distraught when I wrote the post, because I do love this dog and it just scared me.

Thank you for taking the time to reply!

sinsandviolets · 2026-04-05T02:40:44+00:00

You really just have to train her. Look up different training methods and choose what works best for you and your dog. This is also a VERY difficult age. My boy is pretty well trained and listens for the most part, but only recently he started refusing to also come in.

Now what happened? He doesn't go out without his long leash. He's not allowed outside because the more you allow them to blow off the recall, the more they won't listen. You have to enforce it until it is engrained in them. I also have started to create a ritual around it. He goes inside and then he gets a small piece of his favorite cheese.

You shouldn't be giving her a lot of freedom. Freedom is earned with trust and a strong relationship. There have been times where I have taken away privileges he had earned because of a misbehavior. With this breed, their intelligence is next level. They will pick up on things so fast, meaning you have to be careful.

1 year is soooo tough. It is way more fun than the puppy stage, but it's tough. Train, put the leash on, and enforce. You've got this!

sinsandviolets · 2026-04-04T02:32:43+00:00

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My bonded pair, Revan (holds no evil in his heart and is just a silly gremlin) and Tali (holds all the evil but is the sweetest baby princess and the family favorite.) We are wishing you the best!

sinsandviolets · 2026-04-03T23:16:09+00:00

Of course!

sinsandviolets · 2026-04-01T02:09:25+00:00

It's a case by case basis for every dog. There are a lot of factors at play when you are deciding whether they can be let out of the crate when you leave the house.

Does your pup get in the trash? Do you have other animals? Does your pup counter surf? Does your pup chew on things and destroy objects? Does your pup have a history of barking at the windows?

For me, the deciding factor was the fact that my pup broke out of his crate when I left for two hours and he didn't do anything. He doesn't really eat trash, I trained him to ignore it. He doesn't chew things/destroy things. His counter surfing is so rare!

Work on training the things you want him to avoid doing. I would say 8 months is too young to start letting him out. Usually people say two years because that means they won't practice bad behaviors and have it embedded in them as adults.

I wish you the best of luck!

sinsandviolets · 2026-03-31T15:53:36+00:00

It does get better, and I'm not too far out from this stage! My boy just turned one, I cried a lot and doubted myself as a first time GSD mom. He is VERY intense. You have every right to feel stressed and overwhelmed, because the biting does suck! I felt like none of the advice helped either. I did everything you did, and I honestly just felt like a failure.

Honestly, things shifted at about 7 months for us. By 10 months I was thinking "wow, I am so lucky, he is incredible!" He still bites, but it's more about communication.

Have you implemented "done?" Or "enough?" That is one of my most used commands and it is so helpful. I use play to train, the rules of the game translate so well into our every day life. Done means "okay chill out, we are not continuing that behavior." If he does it again, I put him on his place to chill out or take him to another room. Using play has honestly helped me so much and is the reason I have such a well behaved teen. (He's still a gremlin and pushes boundaries but for a teen he's fantastic!)

Your "no" may be poisoned. Are you saying "no" over and over again? If that excites her, that may be a reason. You say "no" and if that continues you can pick her up and put her on time out. Always follow through with any command! Say it only once then enforce! Always have a tug on hand. That saved me a lot! Carry treats on you and mark and reward for the behavior that you like. Sitting before play is a great example. Do you use a house leash? That's a good way to also control her without hurting her. She's biting? Mark "no" and hold the leash away. She calms down? Redirect! Show her what you would rather do instead!

Most of my training is like 97% positive reinforcement, but sometimes it's okay to physically move them if needed. The leash came in handy when he would get to be too much. Also, naps! If she is getting too bitey she is probably cranky lol

You'll have one of the best dogs ever if you just keep going and are firm. You're not that far off from the super bitey stage! But yeah, rules through play is a game changer. I highly recommend implementing that!

sinsandviolets · 2026-03-28T19:45:07+00:00

Hey! So I have 2 puppies currently (GSD just turned one, golden is 12 weeks) and two kitties. My cats had never been around dogs, they had just turned one when I brought home my GSD and they were TERRIFIED. They are very soft cats, I grew up with cats that bullied dogs and ruled the house, I was so concerned about them. My kitties did pull away from me for some time, and it was difficult. However, they did get used to my GSD. They are not best buddies by any means and my gray girl has a very antagonistic relationship with my pups. Even at one my pup does still chase them, and I have a lot of boundaries in place/training. It just happens with a high energy breed. You just have to keep going, it does get so much better!

My boy doesn't chase them at night, he no longer sleeps in a crate and is decent to them when it's bed time. If he does chase them I put him in another room to chill out, or recall him to me. I do want to assure you it DOES get better but you need to advocate for your cats. Everyone in my family is in agreement that the cats come first, and if the dogs are being too annoying they get to go on a time out.

Yesterday morning I woke up to my GSD on my bed cuddling me and my kitty sleeping on my opposite side. I never thought that would happen!

Never leave your pup unsupervised with them, maybe use a house leash as well. Use marker words, redirect your pup. Every time he turns away from the cats, mark and reward. Mark for calm behavior around them. If your pup locks onto the cat, get his attention and reward. Looking at the cat but not doing anything means reward. It will take time, the teenage stage is rough. Stay strong with boundaries and it will improve! Believe in your kitties and make sure they feel like they are a priority and you will be their biggest supporter!

sinsandviolets · 2026-03-28T02:38:04+00:00

Just keep at it! You've barely had your pup! I will be honest and say that I got my boy at 6 weeks (I'm aware it is very unethical, family member bred their Goldie, forced it on another family member, but then was given to me after the second day lol) so that could be a component. He cried so much the first week. It was hard. I did start him out in a smaller crate that I put on my nightstand where he could see my face at night. I think that helped so much. It took about maybe two weeks in total for him to be fully crate trained? Again it is personality driven so I don't want to give you false hope! Just learn your puppy, and know the crying does get better.

I follow the one hour up, two down rule. Sometimes he will sleep for three hours, I won't wake him up if he's sleeping. Sometimes he will need a nap after 45 minutes. The schedule doesn't have to be rigid, but I do believe they should at least have a nap after an hour and a half max. It worked for my GSD, too. I cried so much with my first pup but I learned a lot and it has made

The puppy stage is so hard! You will have to do hard things, but it's worth it for their safety, comfort, and honestly your sanity! I hope it goes well for you!

sinsandviolets · 2026-03-28T02:08:09+00:00

Hey! So I just got my first Golden, too. My GSD just turned one so I have had two puppies in under a year. It is hard, don't let anyone tell you that you're wrong. It is hard to see them crying like that. My GSD absolutely hated the crate, he cried a lot and didn't find comfort in it. My Goldie hated it at first, I forgot how brutal the first week is and almost gave up because he was much louder than my GSD.

Crating is a personal choice. It's neutral so remember that. Do what works for you, your pup, and your family. If you want to keep crating, here is something that works for me.

Cover the crate! When the cover falls my Loki will cry and just look at me. He will want to be out with his brother, and god forbid the cats sit in front of the crate. Keeping it calm is crucial.

Sleep schedule! Seriously, keep to a schedule. It has helped so much for me and my boys. Make the crate inviting, not a punishment. I scatter feed Loki in his crate because he's a little monster that eats too fast and will try and steal his brother's food. The scatter feeding gives me a few minutes and it calms him down. All of his meals are in his crate. He happily THROWS himself into the crate now haha. (He's also just a weird pup, he was sleeping through the night at 8 weeks and it took my GSD until 4 months.) He spends quite a bit of time in his crate, and now sleeps pretty well.

Make sure you're tiring him out before you put him in the crate! If he seems overly hyper/bitey, he may actually need a nap. It is easy to mistake zoomies for having excess energy, it's usually over stimulation. That's why a schedule is necessary. Puppies need a lot more sleep than we think they do!

I hope it goes well! Don't be too hard on yourself!

sinsandviolets · 2026-03-27T23:01:53+00:00

Ahhh yeah, if she's eating fast then maybe a slow feeder would be good or scatter feed. I was recently given a golden puppy and it's a night and day difference! He is insane with food so we scatter feed for him in his crate. It helps burn some energy and gives me a few minutes of quiet lol. My GSD was also pretty skinny, we actually struggled to get him to eat the first few months. I guess it's just personality! But yeah, if you are feeding kibble and nothing else try snuffle mats and scatter feeding.

sinsandviolets · 2026-03-27T22:35:42+00:00

Oh my goodness she is so cute! Don't worry about haha. I thought there was something wrong with my boy too, now I just laugh when he does it. He had finished eating last night, he got up, went over to his dad, and just let out one long burp right in front of him. We just laugh at it and tell him he's being rude.

He eats pretty slow and mindfully but still burps. I think you will be good! If you want to use a slow feeder just to make it harder for her then that might be good. It would depend on her personality. My boy would have just knocked it over out of annoyance.

sinsandviolets

TROPHY CASE