I DESPERATELY need help with my German shepherd. A little over a year old and I can't seem to . . .?

Question

convince her to keep her four feet on the ground. (picture the Disney character Tigger, that's her.) When she wants to greet someone or knows she is going for a ride in the car or a walk, she is absolutely headlong, rearing and pawing like a wild horse (BTW, she has 2400 sq ft to run in) If I physically restrain her (by holding onto her collar or stepping on the leash) she is like a coiled spring just waiting until the leash is loosened to explode again. She is extremely intelligent (she can pick between five different chewtoys I ask for; will retrieve, knows what I mean by "sit or lay down") I try to get her to sit before I let her in or out of the door, she literally vibrates and it's like she's 'gonna blow, Cap'n!" It's as if she doesn't focus on what I'm saying, too wound up in her own excitement. When she comes to me for petting, she spins around in front of me til she rolls over on her back submissively. I'm not an excitable person, I use a low authoritative voice with her.

Answer 1

Spray bottle will work...try to use sit when she gets wound up like that, don't let her do it. No and the spray bottle on the face. She needs to learn to be calm in those instances or she'll bowl you over everytime!

Answer 2

I have 2 males and both acted the exact same way at this age.i may be weird but I love the Tigger stage.
Such a big world and so little time to explore it!
Stay on her and she'll calm down as she matures.But her vibrating at the door tells me she's not getting enough exercise.
Don't give an inch or she'll take a mile.But remember that these dogs need alot of exercise daily.And if there's somewhere close by you can take her for a 45 minute off-leash run the spring in her rear will not be wound so tight.If not then play fetch with her for at least 30 minutes twice daily in the yard and she'll act calmer.
My boys go for a 3 mile walk off-leash daily.They also get a mile walk leashed of course and several rough play sessions in between every day.
Get rid of the excess energy and she'll be able to better focus on whatever task you give her.
My males are 4&1/2 and 2&1/2.The older one is the alpha and my worrier.He watches the younger one and keeps him in line but like your dog can easily recognize and retrieve about 20 different objects and knows about everything we're saying.I think he's learning to spell really quickly.Cookie,Bye-Bye,keys,McDonalds,supper,there's too many to put here.But he's always ready for a new adventure.
The younger one recognizes and retrieves about 30 different things.He can find about anything I send him after including my keys and the cats.
Once you allow the dog to burn off all the excess energy you'll really be amazed at how much faster she'll pick things up.

Answer 3

I'm with Tracey on this! Sounds your like your dog doesn't get enough exercise. Exercise, alot!!!! Shepherds are service animals and they need a job. Try taking her for long walks with a backpack. She'll feel really useful.

Also, when she does jump, turn your back on her-totally ignore her. Eventually she'll figure it out. She's asking for attention by jumping and you're rewarding her for that behavior.

Another trick to try is to purther in a down or sit stay. Hold the treat in your closed hand. She will most like start to "vibrate" but don't give her the treat until she calms down. When she does give it to her and praise lavishly.

One last point..is she alone a lot during the day? If so, have you thought about doggie day care? I take my pittie in a few times a week and it really helps release all that energy. A tired dog is a good dog.

Answer 4

Try this....... Have a friend come over that your dog knows well. Then after your dog has calmed down, have your friend stand outside the door. Take your dogs favorite treat and face the door and tell your dog to sit and stay while holding the treat above him. After a few seconds of him sitting, have your friend walk in the door. Nothing else. Just walk in. If your dog continues to sit, give him the treat and praise him. If not, don't give it to him and do it again. Do this until he gets at least three without getting up. Do this daily. A way to keep your dog from randomly jumping on people, train him to jump on people, or "hug" on command. That way, your dog will not "hug" unless you say too. This also works if you have a barking dog. Also, your dog will still be a big ball of energy. Make sure he gets a lot of exercise. Dogs acted like puppies until they are about three years old

Answer 5

Sounds like you are unknowingly encouraging her behavior rather than correcting it. By holding the leash, or her collar, you're only increasing the drive for her to get at what she wants. Instead, you need to redirect her attention, by a touch of the neck and make her submit to you. If she is "vibrating" when she is sitting, this is because she's struggling between listening to you and listening to herself. In other words, her body is fighting the change of authority. At any point that you notice her energy level start to shift into a higher gear, it's time to correct the behavior before it accumulates into the bouncing "Tigger" effect. Again, redirect her attention and make her sit until she is calm and submissive. If she continues to shake while she's sitting, make her stay until she calms down, maybe even make her lay down, not by asking, but by telling. Make her lay on her side until she has relaxed. Do not put a leash on her when she is in that excited state of mind, this only encourages it more. Wait until she is calm. Once she has achieved this mentality, reward her with affection so she knows that she's doing the right thing. A simple massage of the neck and back will suffice. Then put her leash on and let her follow you outside. Do Not let her lead the way, as this will reverse any sort of retraining you accomplished before. Dogs are more likely to ignore voice than they are to ignore touch. If you tell her to do something and she starts to walk away, touch her on the neck, make her sit, and make her submit. Then she'll be ready to listen. As for the her coming to you when she wants to be pet. Don't give in to that. She's demanding that you show her affection. She needs to learn that if she wants affection, she needs to be calm. Don't let her spin around in front of you, teach her that that's unacceptable behavior by the simple touch and redirect method. Also.. does she walk daily? I know you said you have 2400 square feet of land.. but that land is her home. She'll get bored with it and quite frankly will look to other things to entertain her, something as simple as a new face will become overly exciting. While it's great that you have so much land for her to play, you need to walk her down the road, or take a drive to the dog park. The point I'm trying to make is that she's probably grown accustomed to all this land and doesn't use it effectively on her own to run around and get out all her energy. That's your job. The walk is also important in the sense that it is part of the training method. Be sure that when walking, she's either walking behind you or beside you, Never in front of you. This simulates leadership, making it easier to correct her unacceptable behaviors, such as getting excited when other people or dogs walk by. Overall it just sounds like you have a dog that's, for the most part, in control. You have to learn how to correct that and take the proper measures in doing so. If not, the behavioral patterns could change into something even more unacceptable, like aggression. She needs a leader, and you need a pet.

Answer 6

She needs to be socialized. And trained in a class setting, again if you did this once before. The more socialized she becomes the less excited she will be around people. I made the mistake of not socializing my first dog enough and he is just like your girl, except that my dogs are ten pounders and don't reach your knees even with a big jump.

Try taking her to a dog park every day/

Answer 7

Wow- she seems like shes means well but seems a little ovewhelming for you! German Shepherds always need somthing to do-and she may be bored-if you have the time... try getting into a sport such as agility or frizbee! Take her to some obediance classes that should settle her.........

She seems like shes too smart for her own good! I hope this helps-good luck!
Aussie/ border collie mix

Answer 8

Exercise and more exercise...a tired dog is a good dog.

Also, it sounds like she needs a job. Start her on tracking....it teaches the dog to focus, and is fun for them...There is quite a few websites that can help you. One being the forum section of www.germanshepherds.com.