Help! 2year old GSD acting out!

[ApolloDude]

My 2 year old german shepherd has been acting out lately! We have been leaving him out loose when we are gone for about a year now and he has been good up until the last couple of months..he gets into everything from the trash to my Xmas decorations..today he ate a bunch of Candy Canes! We can not leave anything out or he will get into it! We do not know what to do we have a kennel but he tends to go potty in the kennel when we put him in there all day. Anyone have any suggestions?!?

[kiya]

Act like a puppy, get treated like a puppy.
Back to basics.

[NewbieShepherdGirl]

First of all hello from a fellow Ames dweller!

Secondly, I think Kiya is right. My Sasha is two as well (almost three now) and has started acting up recently. So, we're going to be enrolling in training classes and I'm going to be upping her exercise. Think about whether you've done anything different recently. I know that for me I've been really lax about training recently, so she's started to view commands as optional.

[ApolloDude]

We have been pretty relaxed on the training as well just because he normally is a really good boy! But yes I think he does need some more training classes and exercise! I have been working more hours lately and he only does things after I leave for work. Maybe some separation anxiety?

Thanks for the advice!

[NewbieShepherdGirl]

Originally Posted by ApolloDude

We have been pretty relaxed on the training as well just because he normally is a really good boy! But yes I think he does need some more training classes and exercise! I have been working more hours lately and he only does things after I leave for work. Maybe some separation anxiety?

Thanks for the advice!

It could be separation anxiety, or it could just be boredom. How much exercise does he get? I know my girl is much more destructive if she isn't worn out.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted by ApolloDude

We have been pretty relaxed on the training as well just because he normally is a really good boy! But yes I think he does need some more training classes and exercise! I have been working more hours lately and he only does things after I leave for work. Maybe some separation anxiety?

Thanks for the advice!

Think you just figured out the problem EXCEPT it's not the separation anxiety part.

I'm thinking it's more the 'working more hours lately' and 'pretty relaxed on training' that's more the issue.

Haul out the crate again to backtrack and manage the situation to prevent the 'bad dog' syndrome. With many of our dogs thinking ANY attention is better than no attention, when they are more bored and lonely cause we are busy, even getting yelled at (for them) is better than when we are ignoring them. Course us getting mad isn't training at all, so adding the crate will stop the angry that I'd be having.

Plus sitting down and coming up with a better exercise and training program will also help. Dog classes are perfect for winter, forces me to get out of the house with the dog and most places are heated

[mtmarabianz]

Exercise & German shepherds is a commitment to owning the breed.
JMHO
Although I find, once bundled up & outside, I don't want to go back in; I like the winter & walks/runs (run, gsd, not me), less people & other dogs, relaxing, & at my age, def need the exercise myself

[doggiedad]

try not to leave things out. when you crate him
have someone come in to give him a break. his
acting out maybe him acting according to his training.

[doggiedad]

get up 1 to 2 hours earlier and train and exercise
before going to work. when you come home train and exercise
again before you settle down on the sofa or in front
of the computer. before you go to bed train again.

Originally Posted by ApolloDude

We have been pretty relaxed on the training as well just because he normally is a really good boy! But yes I think he does need some more training classes and exercise! I have been working more hours lately and he only does things after I leave for work. Maybe some separation anxiety?

Thanks for the advice!

[chelle]

Welcome to another Iowan and a white-owner!

I think everyone hit the nail on the head. Up the exercise and the training... and back to basics.

You said he will eliminate in the crate if left all day -- what is "all day" ? As in, a really long time or ?? Does he hold it if left to free roam for the same amount of time?

Welcome to the board!