Twirls/spins before going outside or excited?

Thesilentone · 02-25-2013, 02:32 AM

Everytime I go to take Sam out he does his "ballerina dance" and it's just annoying, I usually wait til he stops and then proceed to put his leash on. I always make him sit/wait to go out the door, but I want to know if anyone else has shepherds that do this as well?

Galathiel · 02-25-2013, 07:08 AM

Spinning, twirling is an OCD behavior that needs to be stopped. I'm no expert, but I would definitely be researching ways to redirect it or talking to a behaviorist.

ponyfarm · 02-25-2013, 07:43 AM

Put him in a down before you start to get ready to go out.

Whiteshepherds · 02-25-2013, 07:43 AM

I think it's pretty common, both of our dogs have spun a time or two when they're excited about something.

Just keep doing what you're doing, wait for him to sit, don't reward him for the spins.
I wouldn't call it OCD unless the dog does it for long periods of time for no reason.

Posted same time as ponyfarm-putting him in a down should work too.

**gsdraven** · 02-25-2013, 08:12 AM

Doesn't sound like OCD spinning by the description. My guys do something similiar when they are going for a ride. Just so excited to be going out they they jump and spin and carry on.

Down-Stay is an excellent idea. There are ways to desensitize that behavior. Practice like you are going out and every time he gets over excited (jumping spinning) then put his leash/collar down and go do something else. He only gets those on and out the door when he's calm and controlled.

Shade · 02-25-2013, 08:13 AM

Delgado does when excited, I just ignore it and he settles after one or two max.

I wouldn't call it OCD either unless it's consistent and not just in one circumstance.

onyx'girl · 02-25-2013, 08:47 AM

Use the behavior to your advantage. Verbally mark the positions and ask for turns, circles ups before you begin a training session. It'll bring the dog into drive and more enthusiasm to train. Do it after a correction as well, before you resume the training.
It would only take a minute or two before you head out to work on this(while the dog is naturally doing it)
Then after you've done the markers on the behaviors, you can put the dog in a down to leash him.

Thesilentone · 02-25-2013, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

Use the behavior to your advantage. Verbally mark the positions and ask for turns, circles ups before you begin a training session. It'll bring the dog into drive and more enthusiasm to train. Do it after a correction as well, before you resume the training.
It would only take a minute or two before you head out to work on this(while the dog is naturally doing it)
Then after you've done the markers on the behaviors, you can put the dog in a down to leash him.

Thank you, you made a very good point here. I'll try this with him!

doggiedad · 02-25-2013, 10:46 PM

leash him and stop him from spinning and then follow
your procedure for exiting.

doggiedad · 02-25-2013, 10:50 PM

if the OP has rugs laying in front of the door it would be
good to teach him to spin on command when entering the house
on rainy days, snow days or when his feet are dirty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

Use the behavior to your advantage. Verbally mark the positions and ask for turns, circles ups before you begin a training session. It'll bring the dog into drive and more enthusiasm to train. Do it after a correction as well, before you resume the training.
It would only take a minute or two before you head out to work on this(while the dog is naturally doing it)
Then after you've done the markers on the behaviors, you can put the dog in a down to leash him.

02-25-2013, 02:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Thesilentone Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: PA Posts: 106	Twirls/spins before going outside or excited? Everytime I go to take Sam out he does his "ballerina dance" and it's just annoying, I usually wait til he stops and then proceed to put his leash on. I always make him sit/wait to go out the door, but I want to know if anyone else has shepherds that do this as well? __________________ "Compassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to living creatures cannot be a good man." - Arthur Schopenhauer

02-25-2013, 07:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
ponyfarm Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 985	Put him in a down before you start to get ready to go out. __________________ Max Von Zahnderhaus -CGC- DOB 2/14/2012 http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/dog.html?id=1353416 Tim the Collie- RN -DOB 4/01/2010

02-25-2013, 08:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
gsdraven Moderator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mont Co, PA Posts: 5,417	Doesn't sound like OCD spinning by the description. My guys do something similiar when they are going for a ride. Just so excited to be going out they they jump and spin and carry on. Down-Stay is an excellent idea. There are ways to desensitize that behavior. Practice like you are going out and every time he gets over excited (jumping spinning) then put his leash/collar down and go do something else. He only gets those on and out the door when he's calm and controlled. __________________ Jamie Raven (GSD) - December 8, 2007 Kaiser (GSD) - November 2009 Holly (GSD) - March 24, 2011 Best Paw Forward Life's Abundance

02-25-2013, 08:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
Shade Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 3,438	Delgado does when excited, I just ignore it and he settles after one or two max. I wouldn't call it OCD either unless it's consistent and not just in one circumstance. __________________ Shanna My Pack: Jasmine - Female Miniature Poodle - born Aug 15, 2010 Loker Delgado Von Stalworth - male GSD - born Jan 26, 2012 Koda & Zazu - 4 year old male cats

02-25-2013, 08:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 21,181	Use the behavior to your advantage. Verbally mark the positions and ask for turns, circles ups before you begin a training session. It'll bring the dog into drive and more enthusiasm to train. Do it after a correction as well, before you resume the training. It would only take a minute or two before you head out to work on this(while the dog is naturally doing it) Then after you've done the markers on the behaviors, you can put the dog in a down to leash him. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

02-25-2013, 07:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Galathiel Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: East Texas Posts: 317	Spinning, twirling is an OCD behavior that needs to be stopped. I'm no expert, but I would definitely be researching ways to redirect it or talking to a behaviorist.

02-25-2013, 07:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Whiteshepherds Knighted Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northeastern Connecticut Posts: 3,373	I think it's pretty common, both of our dogs have spun a time or two when they're excited about something. Just keep doing what you're doing, wait for him to sit, don't reward him for the spins. I wouldn't call it OCD unless the dog does it for long periods of time for no reason. Posted same time as ponyfarm-putting him in a down should work too.

02-25-2013, 10:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 12,696	leash him and stop him from spinning and then follow your procedure for exiting. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

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