Question about GSD behavior

[DAKDSO]

Hello, I have just joined the forums today because I was hoping I could get some helpful advise from others who own this breed. This is the first Shepherd I have ever owned so some behaviors are completely new to me, and I am not sure if they are common to the breed or maybe some issues. I have owned a Working Breed dog before, a Rottweiler named Ivan who passed away from bone cancer at the age of 8. So do know that they need to have their minds work alot.
Ok, first, he tends to be a grazer with his food. He is soo skinny and can't seem to get him interested in eating regular. I have him on Blue for puppies. Oh, his name is Dexter and he is 1 1/2 years old. I am gonna take him to the vet, but was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to get him to be more interested in eating.
He seems to have high anxiety. He is always pacing, like he doesn't know what to do with himself. Even when I am training him, he seems to have a hard time focusing on the task at hand. It seems his mind is going all the time. I would like to eventually get him into Agility classes, but know that he has to know basic commands to even think about beginning that. He does know sit. Working on down, but he seems to not want to do that one.
Just would like some info and/or ideas on how this breed differs from others and if there is different training techniques.
Thank you for any and all info you could provide.

[gagsd]

How long have you had him?

[Mom2Shaman]

Is he neutered?
What was his history before you? He is 1 1/2 but you have had him a month. What was his previous life?
Have you had a fecal done to check for worms/parasites? (re: skinny and not the behavioral, of course).
How are his stools? Firm, soft, varying from firm to soft in cycles?
Have you tried another food that maybe he likes better?
Do you free feed or feed meals 2 or 3 times a day?
How much are you feeding?

That may help with some of the responses be more accurate.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by DAKDSO

Ok, first, he tends to be a grazer with his food. He is soo skinny and can't seem to get him interested in eating regular. I have him on Blue for puppies. Oh, his name is Dexter and he is 1 1/2 years old. I am gonna take him to the vet, but was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to get him to be more interested in eating.

Why is he on puppy food at a year and a half old? Here is how you get him interested in eating: Put the food down. Leave it down for fifteen minutes, then pick it back up again. Next mealtime, do the exact same thing. Let him get a little hungry between meals instead of "spoiling his appetite" with constant snacking. All organisms are more interested in resources that are scarce than resources that are abundant. If you make food more scarce, it will become more interesting.

Originally Posted by DAKDSO

He seems to have high anxiety. He is always pacing, like he doesn't know what to do with himself. Even when I am training him, he seems to have a hard time focusing on the task at hand. It seems his mind is going all the time. I would like to eventually get him into Agility classes, but know that he has to know basic commands to even think about beginning that. He does know sit. Working on down, but he seems to not want to do that one.

It might be anxiety, it might be his natural drives coming out. German Shepherds tend to be dogs that need a job and a channel for their energy and intelligence. If they don't have jobs they get BORED. If you want to eventually get him into agility classes, why not get him into obedience classes now?

[MissKaos]

Originally Posted by DAKDSO

Hello, I have just joined the forums today because I was hoping I could get some helpful advise from others who own this breed. This is the first Shepherd I have ever owned so some behaviors are completely new to me, and I am not sure if they are common to the breed or maybe some issues. I have owned a Working Breed dog before, a Rottweiler named Ivan who passed away from bone cancer at the age of 8. So do know that they need to have their minds work alot.
Ok, first, he tends to be a grazer with his food. He is soo skinny and can't seem to get him interested in eating regular. I have him on Blue for puppies. Oh, his name is Dexter and he is 1 1/2 years old. I am gonna take him to the vet, but was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to get him to be more interested in eating.
He seems to have high anxiety. He is always pacing, like he doesn't know what to do with himself. Even when I am training him, he seems to have a hard time focusing on the task at hand. It seems his mind is going all the time. I would like to eventually get him into Agility classes, but know that he has to know basic commands to even think about beginning that. He does know sit. Working on down, but he seems to not want to do that one.
Just would like some info and/or ideas on how this breed differs from others and if there is different training techniques.
Thank you for any and all info you could provide.

Hi there, I'm new to the forum as well. Nice to "meet" you.

All of my shepherds that I have brought into my family have all been young adults.

If your boy is 1.5 years old and he's new to your home, the pacing is totally normal. You probably find him napping with his back placed firmly against a wall. This is an insecuirty thing. In my experience, a young adult shepherd will take around three to five months to really move into your home and be completely secure.

Like your Rottie, GSDs are very alert and protective. They hear and watch EVERYTHING! This is totally normal, in my experience. You may find that after another month or so your boy will start carrying articles of your clothing around when you are not home....again, this is a security thing.

Give him some time to move into your home and get acclimated to his new "pack." Be sure that you do *not* console him. If he's feeling nervous and pacing, don't tell him that it's "ok." This will reinforce his insecurity and cause major issues in the future. When he's feeling insecure, just have him sit by you and put your hand on him for a few minutes and then remove it. Think of how alphas in a pack will act. Where there's an alpha male in a pack, he won't console or coddle other pack members, rather he'll give a quick reassuring lick or brush up against the uncomfortable dog and move on. This, in effect, is saying - you're fine...you'll get over it, and life will be grand...promise! I'd encourage you to do the same in him.

Regarding him being thin.......it really depends on what his stool is doing. There may be something medical going on, or he may be off his food due to nerves....a few questions for you:

• How much water is he drinking in a day?
• How much food does he eat, when he does eat?
• What are his stools like? Color? Texture? Odor? Loose or firm?
• When you put your ear up to his tummy, do you hear it constantly gurggling? Is it loud?
• Flatulance?

[DAKDSO]

Ok, now to try to answer all the questions.
His previous owner said that he has always been a grazer and has always been thin. He has been checked for everything. I have his vet records showing that he has had blood work, x-rays, stool check, visit upon visit.
He had a good life before he came to my home. Dexter was spoiled. Slept in his bed, coddled alot. But the owner did tell me that he got out before he had him, when his aunt (the breeder, and no, not a backyard breeder, a breeder of some of the best German Shepherds out there) still had him, he got out and was gone a few days, and wasn't the same when he returned.
His stool is normal, he goes everyday, he is active and loves to play and go for walks. He is not lethargic in any way. You would think him perfectly normal except when you look at him and pet him and see and feel a skeleton.
When he does eat, it is a few kibbles at a time to which he grabs from the bowl and eats away from the bowl.
Please do not misunderstand my asking for info, with thinking I know nothing about dogs. I know alot. In fact I know probably more than alot of ppl here on these forums. I am just asking about the behavior of this breed because I am not familiar with the quirks, and certain behaviors of German Shepherds. I do know how to obedience train, to which I am trying to do now. Dexter just seems to have his mind elsewhere sometimes instead of concentrating on the task at hand.

[MissKaos]

Just a thought - you may want to have him tested for EPI. EPI is pretty common in GSDs and could be the result of him being so thin. The only thing that doesn't make sense if it were EPI, is that his stool would be loose - and you may hear his tummy gurgling. EPI is a specific test - so check is vet records for cTLI test that would have been performed - if it had been performed.

[APCURLS]

Originally Posted by DAKDSO

I do know how to obedience train, to which I am trying to do now. Dexter just seems to have his mind elsewhere sometimes instead of concentrating on the task at hand.

What is he like when you play? Maybe you need to find a different toy? I know Draco loves his squeeky tennis balls and would do anything for them. His focus goes down with other toys. Just a thought. There's a wealth of knowledge on this forum so hopefully you can find what you're looking for. We just recently got our 1st GSD pup - 18 months old - and we're learning more and more about him each day.
Oh - I meant to ask where he sleeps? If you leashed him to you when you first got him? When you sit down at the end of the day to relax, where is he? GSDs love to be with their pack, that much I know. They get anxious if they're not with their people. Maybe if you can try to relax when he's around - not look at him, or talk to him, but just relax - he may relax too? I'm by no means an expert, but he may just not understand the routine yet.. Like others said, he may just be adjusting.
Good luck and hope to hear more about your pup's progress!!

[Sarah Rose]

I would say he is adjusting. As long as everything checks out O.K. at the vet...I wouldn't stress too much at the moment.

A tip for the food that works for mine (we feed Merrick)....
She grazes her dry food (takes her 20 minutes to eat a cup of food). If you add warm water to Merrick and let it sit for a bit, it turns into a gravy. She eats great when I do this. It has brought her weight up to being very healthy. When I got her as a 8 week old pup she was pretty thin. Now I will add a little pre-made raw to her bowl as well every day, she eats this down really well also.

I guess I would assume two things....he is very distracted and uneasy trying to learn the new routines and adjust. And also....he may not like the food you're feeding him. Of course, this is if he is O.K.'d by the vet and you know he is in good health I would assume this.

I'm sure you'll love getting to know your GSD. They are awesome pets. In the end I'm sure he'll make an awesome companion.

Good luck!

[doggiedad]

how much does your dog weigh?? maybe
he doesn't like what you're feeding him.
you might have to switch foods several times
before you find one that he likes. why is he
being fed puppy food at 1&1/2 yrs. old???