Odd Behavior Last Night

[yardsale]

Hi there. New to the GSD breed. Question about something which happened last night.

Background. Female sheperd, 7 months old, adopted three weeks ago, total sweetheart. Needs training though.

Anyhow, on most every night, before she is crated, I have been able to take her outside and tell her to go potty, which she does. Sometimes takes a few minutes. A couple of times she has not, but no issues in the crate. She must know her needs.

Last night she was in the yard and I went out to tell her to go potty and take her in. She would not do it. I left her there. Tried again in 15 minutes. Same. 15 minute break. Try again. Repeated this cycle four or five times. She was not going to go. Cruised the yard sniffing things, sitting in dog house, eating bugs, the usual.

We were both getting kind of frustrated by this point. I was petting her and she was laying on her back, petting her belly. She came at me with her mouth, and tried to get my hand. Kind of in a puppy play biting way. Told her no, kept petting, she tried to get me again, I held her mouth shut and told her no. This went on for a bit.

I should have left her.

So at some point she hops up, fast, and runs a big loop around the yard, comes back stops at me in a low crouch, barks one time, runs another lap, comes back, low crouch and another bark. I told her to knock it off and stood my ground. She did calm down so I petted her. She put her paw on my foot, held it down, and nibbled at my food. I had on thongs. Didn't bite, kind of like when she grooms herself. I went and sat in a chair. She came over. I petted her. Then she went to her doghouse.

I figured enough is enough and took her inside. I brushed her, then made her sit-lie down-upsit a few times, and gave her treats after she did what she was supposed to do. Normal training for us. I use dog food for treats. Nothing special.

I know I pushed her too hard trying to get her to go potty. My bad. My question is, what was up with her doing the hot laps and barking at me? Is this aggressive behavior? Was she letting me know I was getting too close? Too demanding? Overwhelmed? What about her nipping at me while I petted her belly? Does her, or I acting this way cause any long term damage to her behavior?

[BowWowMeow]

She had the zoomies and she was trying to get you to play! The low crouch is a play bow. The biting was play too. She sounds like a typical, goofy german shepherd puppy.

[Sapakus]

I'm no expert but i believe if she could talk she would say: "I dont wanna poop! Come play!! come play!!"

[1sttimeforgsd]

No aggression intended, just being playful.

[catz]

Yep sounds like puppy zoomies. Very normal GSD puppy behaviour
Maybe it would help if you put her on a leash when you planned on taking her to go potty. That way you can just stand in one place, be very boring and speed up the time it takes her to go.
I dont think anything you mentioned will lead to serious problems in the future. Its just crazy puppy play.

[Castlemaid]

She figured out that when you come out to tell her to potty, then afterwards she goes in her crate . . . booooooorrrrrriiiinnnggg!!!

She is a puppy, wants to run and play and wants your attention! That is what the whole thing was about, nothing more. NORMAL puppy behaviour. Looks like after three weeks she is feeling settled and safe, and her playful side is coming out.

How much time does she spend outside on her own, how much time does she spend time with you? How much interactive play does she get, how much exercise?

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

How much time does she spend outside on her own, how much time does she spend time with you? How much interactive play does she get, how much exercise?

She is outside by herself on her own maybe two or three hours a day, broken up into one hour blocks. Probably a lot less, with the wife and I coming and going, plus the kids playing outside. She is quite the soccer player with the kids.

She gets either two walks a day, or one walk and a dog park trip. The Seal Beach Dog Park is two minutes away.

She is an awsome girl. Took her trick or treating. Fifty kids must have petted her, she was great with all.

Thanks to everyone for explaining the behavior. I thought I screwed up pushing her too hard.

[Dooney's Mom]

I usually do not pet/play or interact with mine in anyway when we are outside waiting for potty. I stand there with my arms crossed repeating Go Potty until she goes. Once she goes she gets all the love attention she wants and we play around. this way she is quicker to go when I let her out because she knows we are gonna have some fun as soon as she does her business.

I found for mine that the 2 walks a day wasn't cutting it. Everyone on here recommended much more mental excercise- such as Find It, NILF, and basic obedience. It has been working wonders for us (mine is 9 months old)

BTW- I LOVE when mine gets the zoomies!!!

[Lilie]

Dad! You've got kids! What happens when your babies are all wound up and you tell them, "Brush your teeth and go to bed!" It ain't gonna happen! At least not as easily as you hoped!

She was telling you, "Com'on dad! I've got a better idea! Let's go! Com'on! Whoo Hoo! Watch me! Watch me!"

And I hate to say it, but my boy is 2 years old and STILL gets the zoomies! I've learned from them and don't try to fight it.

Wanted to add that holding her mouth in an attempt to get her to stop biting, will only increase the reaction to bite.

[Good_Karma]

Don't forget to throw a party for her after she does finally go potty. My two are well past the age of potty training, but I like a fast potty run, especially in the middle of winter after dark, so every time I tell them to go potty an they do it, I throw a big party and make a big fuss.

Rosa has gotten to the point where after she poops, she comes up to me and gives me a play bow! "I pooped Mommy! Time to play!"