Very Aggresive Dog! Barks at Everything, Tries to Bite Kids!!!

Question:
 My neighbor's dog is a one year old German Shepard. The owners got it when it was a puppy, and it was their first dog. They didn't know ANYTHING about them, so I trained it for a few months for them. They are a little abusive to it, but not too much. I told them not to hit him anymore, or else he might get even worse. He WONT stay down and he barks at cars, kids, cats, ANYTHING! The neighbors have sent a complaint about him. The kids who live there are even afraid of their own dog. They dont want to go out in the yard anymore or he will jump on them. They are very afraid of him, what should they do? They love him, but knowone can train it. They dont have enough money to " buy " a professional trainer. The dog is getting so bad, when my friend tried to pet it over the fence, it looked at her and showed his teeth and tried to rip her hand off! He is VERY aggresive, the only kid he doesn't do it to is me, and the kids that live there. ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Answer:
 Basically the best and safest things you and your friends can do if the owners are not willing to work with the dog is to AVOID the dog at all costs. It is noble to want to do something but the dog legally is not yours and all you can do is hope the ownes act before tragedy occurs. Also, if you see the dog loose, you must have an adult contact animal control since the dog poses a real risk to the community. Also by hanging over the fence to try and pat the dog, your firend was invading his territory. German Shepherds and other breeds can be protective of their turf and will try and stop anything or one they feel invading. Many kids get bitten every year hanging over fences to pat dogs. I teach dog bite prevention classes for all ages and have worked with our state Dept of Health in the past and am part of their injury prevention network. Please make sure no one hangs over the fence to pat the dog. Since you are a kid, you are not in a position to do much legally also the liability for you to do much with the dog in regards to seeing if they will let you train it is great. I am going to give you a link to some downloable dog safety information you can print up and pass out in your community, however. That is probably the best thing you can do - educate the public. http://www.safekidssafedogs.com/Downloads/downloads.html Aside from this, unless the owners are willing to be responsible, all anyone can do is inform the local authorities and see if they can step in and talk to the owners regarding their dog.
Answer:
 And if you checked the site I gave tyo there are downloads to help make a safer dog there and increase dog safety. I can also provide you with other links but if teh owners are not willing to work with the dog, there is not much you can legally do. Also, you walking this dog is a major liability for you and the owners. Since you are a minor, you really cannot take responsibility for the dog and his actions. I know personally how hard it is to restrain a large dog trying to go after something. I have worked with thousands of dogs over the past 22 years. If the dog breaks from you and nails someone, the owners and your parents could be liable for damages. Also, sometimes dogs redirect their frustrations and aggressions at the people restraining them. Are you willing to risk being mauled? Same thing with trying to cath teh dog if it gets out. The dog should be behind a 6 foot fence - too high to be leaned over and high enough to deter most dogs from jumping. You also have to know your local laws - if the dog is habitually getting out or does enough and is a risk to the neighborhood, the owners can be charged for failing to properly retrain their dog. In January, I did a dangerous dog evaluation for an appeal going to the county. The owner was not safely confining the dog to her yard (used an invisible fence) and the dog mauled another dog that was able to access her property or he got off the property (there is a discrepancy in stories from the victim and dog owner). The best thing you can do to help the dog is get those responsibel for maintaining the safety of the community and the animals (animal control) involved. Sometimes just a trip or two form a legal authority is enough to get owners to turn around.