You have a dangerous dog. Your family is in danger. Do something.
This is very sad, but it is time to put him down.
The last time he was sleeping next to me on the couch I barely nudged him when repositioning myself and he woke up and bit almost through my hand. Blood spurting. We worried about friends and family coming over. We knew we couldn't give him to anyone because we knew he loved us and if he would bite us, he would bite anyone.
I would check with a professional dog trainer to see if he could be trained out of this behavior.
I raised German Shepherds and it sounds as though you have an Alpha dog. I spent 13 years with one. The one thing I know for certain is that he needs to know who the boss is. If he growls or snaps at you and you let him get away with it, you are making the situation much worse. You must demand repect from an Alpha or he will lead the pack! I do not think that kind of personality should be around any children!!! Sentencing him to death seems a little unfair. I had some terrible confrontations with mine, especially before he turned 2. Once we cleared the air as to who the boss was, he was a wonderful companion. He worked on hand commands better than the Police dogs in our county. The police were constantly bragging on him and wanting me to donate him....If his hips are good, I am sure the police would be thrilled to have such a dog.
Good luck to you!
Do they really call their company "Schuntzhund"? "Schutzhund" without the extra n would make sense (= guard dog).
Could it be that he was left inthe heat and has some brain damage or he is in some sort of pain froman injury? You don't mention Vet's in your message.
Second (and veterans of this doggie ping list will recognize this next bit!): be prepared to meet the needs of the dog you are planning to have as part of your family! All dogs are not created equal-temperament (a little musician lingo there, LOL!) and I freely admit I will never be prepared to adopt any animal, no matter how superior, that requires work to do (such as hunting or herding) and/or a high degree of disciplined family interaction as a basic tenet for a happy life...
Given that, it seems your young guy is not much like your old guy was, and that's the real crux of it. If I had a new young dog like yours, I would certainly take this problem "straight to the top", professionally speaking, and see what reliable experts would say (call the Marines!) about his personality and temperament. For instance, will this individual ever make a suitable family dog? How much training will it take? Is he perhaps a better candidate for the hard work and discipline of a life in law enforcement or the military? Or is he one of those very rare animals that simply have some wiring wrong and would've picked the wrong fight long ago if living in the wild?
The best of luck with this...and remember that you love this boy! He may not be able to respond to that right now, but that's not personally your fault, and if you do the right thing by him (whatever that ends up to be) you and he will know it!
Might just as well shoot him.
You now have a couch ornament that stinks and still bites.
Aggressive behavior in dogs can be controlled in only one way, and that is by a more aggressive master.
A dog will be passive to only that person who dominates him. If he hold the dominant position in the family relationship, he will continue and if he cannot be dominated he must be destroyed before he hurts someone or worse.
If you cannot control him, put him down. Don't try to give this problem to someone else unless they fully understand what they are getting into and are willing to do what is necessary.(this happens all too often and results in broken friendships,as past experiences have taught me)
the onwer neads hep, or the dog?
http://www.koehlerdogtraining.com/trainers.html
Any such trainers near you? They may deal w/the problem types specifically, and *serious* training could help - not the feel-good stuff (hip w/German-type trainers into that too, to an extent, so don't be fooled thinking they're tough). I'm no expert at all but I've seen/heard enough to be somewhat aware. Not to mention sometimes experts can't see the forest for the trees.
(I know I will be pilloried for that suggestion but....too bad. Better reformed dog than dead.)
Also, this is probably out in left field, but could there be a medical problem? I know he's young but is it possible he could have a brain problem - maybe even a tumor? Not that you'd like to hear that either, but maybe it's worth checking.