I have a 2yr old german shepherd and she will NOT stay on her own, What can i do?

Question

I have a german shepherd she is 2yrs old we moved over a yr ago and since we moved she has become a nightmare to leave on her own in the house! If i am in the house with her she has to follow me everywhere i go you can see she panicks and thinks i am leaving her! When i leave her in the house when i go out just to pop to the local shop for 5mins she will bark continously and scratch at my door which she has now put a hole in from where she has scratched at it so much! When i go out i leave her in my kitchen. It feels like i cant go anywhere or do anything without her being there ALL the time. She is always in the same room as me at all times otherwise she gets upset. She isnt like this with anyone else in my household ie my partner and 4 children. I would love another animal but think it wouldn't be fair only by the way she is! ADVICE GREATLY NEEDED!!!

Answer 1

You might like to read this link, I found it very helpful when my dog started to show seperation anxiety! I don't normally agree with the HSUS but this is GOOD advice!
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/separation_anxiety.html
You also need to be aware that a German Shepherd is very much a 'one-person' dog. They'll love and obey others in the family but there is always one person they become more attached to!
I'd hold off getting another dog till you can get her more settled. If you get another her level of anxiety will be felt by the other and you could end up with two anxious dogs instead of just one!
(It happened to us!!!!)
To break her habit of destructive behaviour it might be best to crate her when you do have to go out whilst you are training her to be left! She'll see it as a 'den' and that should help help calm her anxiety.
If you can, talk to a behaviourist or trainer preferably one who knows the breed and can teach you how to handle a Shepherd calmly but firmly! Once she learns that you will return, which with their intelligence shouldn't take long, she'll get more confident quickly!
Good luck with her!

Answer 2

German Shepherds are 1) pack animals and 2) herders.
When you leave your dog, she follows you because you are her leader, ie, the alpha pack member. Often they will also do this with children in more of a guardian, herding role (especially when outside).

You just need to work with her on the stay command. I have Shepherds and have to do the same thing. Teach her to lie down and stay, and return shortly with a treat to reward her. Gradually lengthen the time before returning, but be ready to make her go right back if she gets up....you will never cure her of her desire to follow you, so this has to be an obedience exercise.....you say stay, she must stay.
Shepherds are extremely smart and she'll catch on quick.
Just be reassuring when she's uncomfortable with letting you leave, and be very very happy with her when she does what you ask. She'll learn the reward is in your return.

EDIT: If she still has issues when you must leave the house for long periods, it's best to get a crate for times when she can't be watched. she is still fairly young and a lot of dogs/shepherds need to be confined when unsupervised until 3 or 4 yrs.
If she does have true separation anxiety, she either needs to spend more time bonding to your other family members so they can be a substitute for you when you're gone. Or, the idea of another dog is the best solution if she is left alone for very long periods.
I've trained many dogs that have this problem/separation behavior while alone at home when the owners at work. They're faced with the probability of having to rehome the dogs if the behavior can't be stopped, or curbed substantially.
The second pet is the best solution in the vast majority of these cases.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

I see that you already thought of the second animal answer. Well, I am no specialist in animals but, have you tried giving her a friend of her own? When I say this, I mean like a stuffed animal or a doll. Another idea is, if I am not getting too personal, are you pregnant or have a longstanding illness? Sometimes animals will attach themselves to someone or something they think need the extra love or attention. The stories I heard was when my mother was pregnant with me her cat followed her everywhere. When she was asleep the cat would curl up near "the baby" or lay on her stomach. When I was pregnant I had a dog that followed me around the house, and after the baby was born he kept vigil at the nursery door when I wasn't in the room. Give your dog some extra attention and a little more patience and she will adjust. I hope....... GOOD LUCK.

Answer 4

Sounds like you could do with a behaviourist. Problems like these are complex and can't be solved simply, certainly not over the internet like this. A lot more information is needed.

As a guide, you might want to stop the dog following you absolutely everywhere in the house at all times. Do this gradually; get her used to being able to be in a room by herself and be happy before you starting leaving her alone in the house for short periods. When you do leave the house, vary your routine so she doesn't pick up on the signals that you're about to leave; this is how she'll get worked up before you even leave.

Chalice

Answer 5

I also have a 2 yr. old shepherd...I think you need to find a reputable trainer and ask their advice. I was told by mine that to place a shepherd with someone else sometimes takes a year for the animal to settle down. Ex. do not leave it outside, it will go to the old home or try to, etc. She needs lots of reassurance and maybe she should go with you at times. Does any of the other family members pay attention to her? I definitely would not get another pet in the household until this issue resolves.

Answer 6

yeah, thats a big bill but I would still got to the vet & see if they will work with you on payments. My dog broke here tooth just last week I ended up with a $200 bill and that was without all the extras. I'm sure if you looked around someone could do it cheaper maybe a Vet school?

Answer 7

My beagle does this. We just adopted her and she follows me everywhere, including the bathroom. If I leave her she howls non-stop until I return. If I bring her in the car and run in the store she howls. When I come out of the store there is a crowd gathered around my car. You have to get to the root of why your dog is howling. Call a trainer. We have one coming right after the holidays. Good luck.

Answer 8

She is getting away with it because you are not there to control it and she is getting habituated to acting that way. She also seems to have a seperation anxiety thing happening. I don't suggest getting another animal since you have yet to be capable of properly dealing with this on. Get a crate and crate train her. She needs to learn to be away from you without behaving badly and getting habituated to destructive measures. It would likely be a good idea to locate a good behaviorist/trainer in your area that can help you better learn how to train your dog and the training will teach you how to properly interact as well as will help her learn to have more confidence in herself and you will learn to be more confident in your relationship/interaction with her.

Answer 9

There is somthing that has happened to her since yall moved that she can't stand. You've been the one that confort her the most and the became attached. My advice is to get another dog to be with her. Why? I have 2 dogs...the influence each other ALOT!! They are like sisters and one always wants to be with the other. They do their bussiness together...eat together...ect. It will work!!

Answer 10

you should watch the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic.

Cesar Milan is awesome and you can learn a lot about dealing with your dog from him.

In your case, I bet he would say she needs to be walked more frequently to release energy and that will help her deal with the anxiety of you leaving. But watch the show.