I just got a 9 month old German Shepherd. I am crating him over night and while we are not at home. He crys and whines all night. He tore his blanket to shreds. He is house broken but while I was not home this morning he pissed on the rug. He is walked in the morning and at night and is outside several times. Any ideas?
2006-08-22 05:42:12 · 12 answers · asked by gusslor 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
German shepherds are people-oriented dogs with a high play drive and lots of energy to burn. That's just the nature of the breed. It sounds like your dog is both bored and suffering separation anxiety.
Try putting the crate in your bedroom, if you haven't done so already. Play the radio or TV on low if he's in his crate while you're gone. That way, he won't feel so alone.
Put a Nylabone in his kennel while you're gone, and crate him when you leave. He can't choke on bits of the Nylabone, but it will give him something to do.
The wetting sounds like a combination of anxiety, defiance, and territory marking. The best bet is to crate him when you can't be home to supervise him. That way, he stays out of trouble and, more importantly, potential danger.
But the most important thing is not to isolate him from your daily routines any more than you have to. If you don't have a lot of time to spend with him, then you may need to think about finding a new home for him and getting a lower maintenance breed that doesn't depend so heavily on human contact.
I was a search and rescue K-9 handler for 9 years, and I exclusively used German shepherds. What I've told you is based on my own experience with the breed. Hope this helps.
2006-08-22 06:18:13 · answer #1 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
He is most likey not used to being crated.
If you get up and take him out or do anything for him when he crieshe will learn that if he cries you will come and do something. He will learn to cry to get attention. Even if is it is negative attention it is attention none the less.
That is what he craves and if you give it it will make the problem worse.
Why was he loose in the house with you gone? He should be confined to an area where if he does go on the floor it can be easily cleaned up.
Mosr time outside and more exercise. At nine months he is still very much a puppy and needs more play time.
2006-08-22 13:09:34 · answer #2 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know you say that you are walking him in the morning and at night...but he need a minimum of an hour a day to burn off excess energy. Does he get that?
Also...try a blanket or towel over his kennel in the evenings. That may help with the crying.
One more thing...Cesar Millan has a book, "Cesar's Way" - It's a great read! He's the Dog Whisperer from the National Geographic Channel. His first season is out on DVD...and worth every penny!
2006-08-22 12:59:58 · answer #3 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Any dog who cries and whines is seeking the attention of their owner (whilst they are not home). Messing on the carpet is nothing to worry about seeing as all dogs will create some kind of mess when left in the house on their own. Try leaving him somewhere outside the house, like the garden, shed etc. We had two german shepherds who required a lot of training. They soon pick up what to do and what not to do. Try buying a clicker to train him with.
2006-08-22 13:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by Crystal 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You let him pee on the rug. You didn't crate him when you were not there. Let him cry you just got him. A blanket over the crate sometimes helps and rescue rememdy from the health food store.
2006-08-22 12:49:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
crate training should be done while there young,but its never to late.he will get the hang of it,just take him out often so there's not a fear of being left, this is the easiest way to house break.. I raise & train GSD's so I know..
2006-08-22 12:53:19 · answer #6 · answered by scooterpie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him cry. If you dont pay attention to him, he will eventually stop. He probably feels uncomfortable in the crate, and he hardly knows you, too. Patience, my friend.
2006-08-22 12:59:13 · answer #7 · answered by Laura 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to talk to a behavioralist who can evaluate your individual dog. It sounds like he may have had a past experience, probably at about 2 months, that was negative. No one here could really give you any good advice, as each dog is an individual and you really need to get your individual dog evaluated. Good luck!
2006-08-22 12:50:33 · answer #8 · answered by Maber 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's separation anxiety. There are tons of online resources online that will be able to help you. Properly training a dog out of this habit involves changing your own behaviors. It would be easier (and much more helpful for you) to look into this online, keeping in mind what your behaviors are.
Best of luck!
2006-08-22 13:01:43 · answer #9 · answered by Pink Denial 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ok---big dog---needs big exercise...walk him several miles in the am....to tire him out....put a shoe in the crate so that he will smell u when u are gone---an alarm clock (the ticking noise) will simulate his mothers heart beat...that will also help---
REMEMBER---walking is not enough---big walk---big dog---several miles...i have GS and I walk 2-1/2 miles every am and 1/2 mile in the evening...this works for me---very very tired when I go to work---he does nothing but sleep
2006-08-22 13:13:21 · answer #10 · answered by sunbun 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋