Hello Im Kelly from England

[kelly-lou]

Hi everyone
This is my first time on the forum I have spent lots of hours reading lots of threads but have finally plucked up the courage to register myself to talk to people who the love gsd as much as me
I have a 14wk black shepherd called Storm and im head over heels in love with my little guy. I lost my last Shepherd Mishka in March last year to bloat and was totally heartbroken. Storm is by no means a replacement for her but is helping to ease the pain of her loss.
I have a problem with Storm..he is a typical shepherd in the fact that he is a "velcro dog" where I am you can be sure to find him...now although I do love him soooo much, im struggling with anytime I have to leave him he gets himself into such a state that he howls,cries,barks and poops everywhere (then eats it..yuck). Even just popping to the loo results in him getting very upset
He was ok while other ppl were in the room if I left up untill last week but now even being left with someone else results in him pooping everywhere and generally being really upset.
Sorry for the long text but really need some advice please
Thank-you all in advance

[Angelina03]

Hi and welcome. Sorry I cannot help you as I am an inexperienced dog owner (new); but lots of members here will be able to give you lots of good advice. Congrats on your pup.

[mleun481]

Not sure what you have tried so far, but but how long do you leave him? Have you tried leaving for short amounts of time starting with just going out the door and coming back in immediately to show you are coming back? Then, gradually increase the time you are gone? Also, when you do come home - are you making greeting him right away? With our dogs, when we come home, we ignore them like its no big deal that we were gone. Go inside, put your keys down, jackets, etc - then greet them. The poop eating could be a puppy stage, but sounds more like separation anxiety.

[carmspack]

when you leave you have to be more matter of fact. If you surround your coming and going with big emotional drama you are heightening anxiety. Get a crate for constructive confinement. Throughhout the day pop the pup into the crate for 10- 15 minutes per day. Leave the house if the noise bothers you . If you become emotional and rescue the dog and baby him as if he has endured some trauma then you will have a problem.
For the dog to separate himself from you in a healthy way , you, have to separate yourself from the dog. Even ignoring the dog when it is out and about is a good step .

this is a start --

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

[Rua]

Hello and welcome, neighbour!

The advice carmspack has given you is spot on. Having a crate really does help establish boundaries and a safe place for your pup. When you go to put him in it, really try to make an effort to not make a big hoo-ha about when you have to leave. And avoid eye contact. I can't stress that one enough. Keep things simple and matter of fact, without excessive talking, petting, etc.

Whenever I have to go out and I put my girl in her crate, I follow the above protocol to the letter and she's grand. Juno stays quiet and contented. But if for some reason I've forgotten anything in in the room or whatever and had to go back in, she gets really anxious and starts crying to be let out. So I avoid re-entering the room at all costs from the moment I leave.

Bottomline, make sure your "goodbyes" are short, sweet and to the point. No fussing. And avoid going back in there until you are actually ready to let him out!

[Germanshepherdlova]

Just want to say Welcome!!!

[kelly-lou]

Thank-you all for your replies so far. he is crated when I have to go out and I am also giving him some 10-15min time outs during the day.
As you all say I don't engage with him at all when I leave him and leave him with a stuffed kong and a bone to "try" and keep him occupied, I always ignore him on my return and he is not let out until he is quiet and sitting nicely, even then when he is out I busy myself and still give no attention until complete calm.
Usually when I do go out he is quiet when I get home but as soon as I walk in the door he goes wild.
I think that maybe I just stress myself out alot when im in the house and can hear him, just feel that I am doing something wrong for him to be that upset.
Oh forgot to mention that he is always walked before I leave him aswel..in the hope that he will sleep rather than howling the house down.

This is a fantastic site, I spend hours on here reading through all the different threads