[burgundyboy]

Hi all,

My german shepherd who I have had from 7wks old is now 10mths old, and I have started to notice a certain behavioural pattern.

After some research the nearest I can come to an answer is ' separation anxiety'.....

BUT... we are NEVER apart..she is with me 24hrs a day (i am retired) she come's with me everywhere in the car, walking and is constantly at my side.

• symptoms
• follows me all around the house
• forces her full weight against my legs to stop me
• getting up from my chair
• attempts to climb up on me.

I have owned german shepherds for over 40 years and I have NEVER experienced this behaviour before.

Can anybody please shine some light on this for a very frustrated owner..

Many thanks.

[petsrule]

How funny, since I've started working from home and being with our dogs 24/7, they are behaving the same way as your German Shepard.

We have to move together as a group everywhere in the house. When I'm fixing dinner, they sit and stare out me (I never really thought of myself as being that entertaining), and when I work on the computer, they try and climb into my lap. They are both Labrador's so they not really what I would consider a lap dog.

They've also recently started having what I call "puppy bursts." One is 8 years old and the other is 7 years old. Sometimes though they start tearing through the house, throwing their balls in the air just like they did when they were puppies.

I like to think that they are very happy is why they are acting like this.

[cigwyllt]

German shepherds do tend to be particularly loyal don't they? Your dog sounds perfectly normal. You are the pack leader, you move, he moves. My own dog is very similar but he is a Jack Russell and so a little easier to step over/around and hold on my lap! Having said that although Manny is never out of sight of me when I am home (most of the time) he is very relaxed when I am gone and just waits patiently until I get back.

[lange]

Personally, I would have a problem with the following;

# forces her full weight against my legs to stop me
# getting up from my chair
# attempts to climb up on me.

I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to some behaviors. I know I am probably more cautious then others but I would wonder whether these behaviors are signs of dominance. Maybe it's not? It's hard to know for certain if you don't see it in action. With her being a German Shepard, I would correct her. I do the same with my Akita puppy when I find her being even slightly overbearing (not often!). I'm not a tyrant at all! I give her tons of love but I do have to remind myself that I need to be smart because of her breed. A simple "NO" or "AYE" might do.

I would ask you whether you've changed how you interact with her as opposed to your past dogs? Are you being more permissive with her now that your own life style has changed? Could she possibly see you as being submissive to her? Again, I am only throwing out what would come to mind for me.

[burgundyboy]

Thank you for your replies. And to LANGE, who seemed to have some ideas ( with respect to others ) ! I retired early 5 years ago, so she doesn't know any different lifestyle other than the one now. I forbidden her to 'rule' me, and have brought her up just the same as any other G.S. Iv'e owned in the past. I'm not passive with her, and when I say 'NO' during her 10 months, she knows just what I mean, and that I mean it !...and she will correct herself ( when she used to pull on lead, bother the cat, doesn't now, sitting and waiting, all got/get result with a firm 'NO'. It's just this possessiveness and clinginess, which as I initially posted, she is with me 24/7. So why on earth she blocks me on my armchair, follows me everywhere in the house, constantly putting her head accross my lap, da de da, I just don't understand. My commands of 'DOWN' when she is trying to climb onto me ( and push her down at the same time ) she just will not take in, 'NO,DOWN' in a very affirmative tone ?? NO WAY, she will still try to get up on me. I persevere with these commands, I don't give up if she doesn't respond after a few days. She obeys all other commands, but not when I'm striving for some freedom from this possessiveness. Eventually, after pushing her down, or pushing her away from using her body to block me on my chair, and commands have failed, she then lies down next to my feet, BUT, she never fails to put her head across them, so she has another way of trying to be alerted, should I get up. I shall persevere, but looking back to my now deceased G.S. dogs from previous, I had no such problem with them...this girl is BRIGHT ! ... and determined to 'keep me her prisoner'. `

[lange]

Yeah, I was off. You're obviously right on it being some sort of anxiety or possessiveness. Aside from being smart, is she a pretty confident dog? Not a nervous dog in general?

I know dogs around that age start going through a fear stage again. Is there something that could have scared her before the behavior started?

No sickness going on either?

[burgundyboy]

Hello Lange..thanks for the reply again. There is no sickness with Jennie, eating very well, general condition all round seems ok. I'm a State registered Nurse ( early retired ), so it's a sort of more than 'the usual' observation of any illness or health issues. HOWEVER, you do ask about her disposition...nervousness, well I have to say she is a 'nervous' girl with 'strangers', she backs away to me from them, no signs of aggression, but signs of distress. Another curious event is happening virtually every day....since being 7 weeks old, she has been in the car with me when I visit a good friend, about 4 out of the 7 day week, and she has always come into his house with me, yes, puppies usually enjoy attention and have fun with anyone, and as she has aged to her 10 mnths, and still going into my friends house with me, she is strangely becoming worried/distressed/frightened of him when he approaches her to stroke her etc; She used to zoom to his kitchen when he called her to give her a biscuit, but this past few weeks, she will not go near the kitchen to him, and if he comes in the room to us with a biscuit, she gets distressed and comes straight to me, trying to get under my legs as I am sat down, or climb onto his settee next to me ! Whereas before, she went up to him and gave a paw for the treat, and sat there with him for another. Nothing has changed in his house/environment..his voice tone just the same...he even tries 'baby' type talk in a softer voice to encourage her to go to him for the biscuit, but that fails, and she still clings around me, or tries to get up to me or force herself under my legs. If he throws the biscuit near her, she will creep out for it, but not go near him, then come back to me with it and eat it, then presses herself against my legs. So yes, she is a nervous girl, but never was with this friend, which mystifies him and me too ! She used to accept and sit with him... So this one really IS a puzzler for me. I can accept her nervousness with the strangers, which must be just 'her', but to start being afraid of my friend after so much previous interaction leaves us blank for a reason. If she won't feel comfortable with, say, neighbours, who want to say hello, and she backs away from them, then I can accept that..it's this 'going-off' my friend, who she not so long ago couldn't wait to get through his door, and wag her tail with him ! Mystery ( to me ) Regards David.

[lange]

It sounds like we know why she is so glued to you. You're her security blanket. Not typical of GSD's but not all dogs fit the same mold. When she acts scared do you say anything to her, pet her or comfort her in anyway? It's best to ignore her. It shows them her that there's nothing to be afraid of. Whereas giving her attention validates her behavior to be scared.

Because of her temperament and her age (fear stage) it might be a rougher time for her. Hopefully, she will phase out of it if you're friend continues to rebuild her trust slowly. He shouldn't come up to her or look her in the eyes. If he sits on the floor, facing away from her, ignoring her, with a treat next to him she should eventually come to him on her own. He can keep trying that & I'll bet with time she will warm up to him again. Just take it slow from there letting her make the first moves.

Anything you can do to build her confidence in herself might help her be a little more independent all around. You can try some of these ideas if you're interested. Building Confidence You can find a lot of articles with different techniques doing a search. Youtube also has some demonstrations.
You're in a great position because of the strong trust she has with you. Good luck, David! keep us updated on how things progress.

[burgundyboy]

Hello Lange.... thanks again for your reply, with 'tips' and 'ideas' to try out. Yes, I stroke her when she tries to hide under my legs, or beside me, and usually say a couple of times : "It's alright Jennie, you're alright". So I reckon that is re enforcing her feeling of me being her 'security blanket' !
I will try some of your tips ( including ignoring her when she comes to me for 'protection') It will be interesting to see how she responds to my friend sat with his back to her, with a treat by his side, and yes, I will take it slowly, and ignore her when she comes to me all anxious and worried for 'protection'. I certainly will get back to you in time, when hopefully, we have some improvement, and a more confident independent Jennie ! Many thanks again for your interest.. Regards David. ( and Jennie ) !