german shephards?

Question

My sister has a germ shephard that has been rehomed twice, it is quite insecure and eats her wall,house,shoes etc when she goes out. Would a crate or cage help his sense of security as well as his destuctive tendencies.

Answer 1

Crates help a lot with an insecure dog. I would recommend a plastic one because they are more cave like, and the are harder to destroy. I have rescued Malinois that was abused and I have to crate him while I am gone because he gets so nervous if I leave him out, but he does just fine in his crate. Also, even when she is home leave the crate door open because if anything startles or scares him he can go in his crate for security.

Answer 2

Chewing -- Redirect the dog's focus. Buy pull toys, Bully sticks, Raw Bones --- When the dog is chewing on something inappropriate, tell the dog to LEAVE IT, do not move the object away from the dog. The first leave it shoudl get his attention, get closer to the dog, if he is still chewing repeat the command. When you get close enough to touch him and he still hasnt stopped chewing, quickly pull on the back of his neck and release. You have to show the dog that the Behavior is not acceptable.

Get a crate. Do not put the dog in the crate when you punish him. You want the dog to feel as if the crate is his den. If you want the dog to feel secure about going into the crate, throw some treats in there and shut the door. If he complains or barks when in there - ignore it. Then when he is quiet , let him out.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/7348/ursuspuppiessp9.jpg

That's a picture of my two German Shepherds. They need alot of exercise. A tired dog is a good dog. They were in a down stay while I was vaccuuming the floor rug.

I also take them outside whenever I go out. This helps them socialize. You can take your GS to petsmart other places where he will be introduced to people and other dogs. It sounds like your dog need socialization and exercise. Here is a great German Shepherd website with alot of breed specific information:

http://www.germanshepherds.com

With patience you can (or your sister) turn this dog around.

Answer 3

Aside from caging the dog, another thing to consider is what may be causing the dog stress? I adopted a dog who had a health condition that "flared up" when he was stressed. Things such as odd noises, strangers, some allergies, etc., made his life worse. After finding out his stress points, I eventually had to give him yet another home. A home that he now THRIVES IN!

I was in a new home (carpet, paint, etc., affecting him), builders everywhere banging, sawing, dumping, pouring, you get the point! I'd even had an accident and was driving a different car. Basically, my lifestyle was torturing the poor animal. He lives now with a retired couple on a farm and runs with the cows! So much different than the city life I gave him.

Hopefully your sister's situation will be better! OH! And don't forget to give the dog a toy or two. He may need a security item like some children and their blankies and pacifiers!

Good luck!

Answer 4

The dog needs supervision and training. I generally suggest dogs be crated when they can't be supervised.

Also have your sister enroll the dog in obedience classes, this will help boost the dogs confidence as well.

If your sister catches the dog in the act of inappropriately chewing she should stop him with a firm "NO". Wait a second or two and then offer him one of his toys. When he takes his toy praise him lavishly. Also when she sees him chewing a toy on his own she should praise him lavishly as well. He may stop chewing on the toy and come over to her, but that's ok, he's gotten the message that she likes it when he chews his toys.

GSD's also need lots of exercise. Make sure he is getting more than just a quick walk around the block everyday. A tired dog is a good dog.

Answer 5

Yep Tell her to look for crate training tips start off slow and when she is around to supervise each time she puts the dog in the crate increse the lenght of time spent in the craet untill the dogs feel safe in the crate. Then the dog will be happy to spend time in the crate makeing seperation from your sister much less stressful to deal with.

Answer 6

anxiety problem . any breed goes thru this . a cage would help save the room from damage . the dog needs to know that she is returning when she leaves . sometimes another pet helps with this . also praise when you return and tell the dog the very same thing that you will be back soon so be good . remind him each time after a while that sentence will relax the animal .

Answer 7

It would help ALOT... Dogs feel secure in enclosed spaces, This will also help so that he cant eat things he's not supposed to and get sick when shes not home... just make sure that she walks him alot and lets him get alot of exercises so he doesnt get hip displasia! I hope this was helpful, Ive owned 2 german shepherds in my life and I'm totally for crate training for when people aren't home to watch them!! Hope this helps!! Best of luck to your sister and her doggy =)

Answer 8

German shepherds are social dogs and they need lots of good exercise, when they chew and destroy everything it is a sign of having too much energy, so before you leave anywhere you should probably take them out to burn off some energy so they are tired and want to rest when you leave them

Answer 9

Yep,

Some traing and excersie would help a great deal also

see pawpersuasion.com

Answer 10

Probably- but a good healthy dose of attention wouldn't hurt either.