Hi everyone, I could really use some advice so thank-you in advance for taking the time to reply.
I have an almost 7 month old german shepherd mix. (Dad is full shepherd)
He's always been a bit high strung and overly active but he has improved a lot in the past while.
The most common issue i'm having is on walks, and just for extra information I use one of those under the arm and hook at the back harnesses to help with pulling. ( I think it's called a sporn) Previously he would get startled or bratty on walks and would gently bite at my running shoes and jump up at my arms. No signs of aggression, tale would be wagging and he would be friendly. I would respond by standing perfectly still and ignoring him and he would suddenly stop and wait for me to move, then we'd carry on the walk as usual. This would go on for a few minutes, and sometimes if I moved to quickly he would start again. This was annoying but he'd learn and stop quickly.
During that time he would get a lot of backyard time, he would run around and play ball and just get into mischief in the yard, but having that freedom would cause him to be bratty and not come in the house when told. He would litteraly sit outside the door on the porch then run as soon as I would open the door. This would happen all through the night when he'd have bathroom breaks and it would take a lot of upset to get him back into the house. ( Previously he would do great and come back when called).
Fast forward to the last 3 weeks, he is only allowed out for bathroom breaks on the leash, which he responds to nicely, and allowed out to play only if I am with him. We were doing great progress with walking too, we'd do an hour in the morning for a long neighbourhood walk, and an hour at around 9pm and he would go to bed for the night afterwards. I should mention that he is not allowed to interact with other dogs, he is too jumpy and this isn't the type of neighbourhood with dogs I feel comfortable with.
Last 3 days, he is doing well other then when trying to walk him. He will out of no where start wagging the tail really fast and start biting my running shoes, pulling on my pant legs and then jumping up and biting my arms. Which is quite painful even with a poofy nylon winter coat on. He hasn't punctured the skin but there is many many bruises that I am embarrased to admit too. When he is in this mood he becomes very high strung and doesn't listen to anything. Only thing I can do to protect myself is to hold his bum and push him into a sit position and just sit and hold him until he calms down, petting and talking to him. However once I let go he starts all over again. I have even hidden his toys in my pocket and use them as bait during these times but he just ignores it.
Yesterday I was stuck on a street with him for over 45 minutes until he tired himself out enough to continue walking. This is is just really upsetting to me because it goes on for so long and I worry about what these strangers will think. I understand it must look horrible from their perspective, but aside from these outbursts everything is going well.
I haven't figured out the cause of the moments, it's more common during the day then at night, so I'm not sure if he's getting startled or just wants to play/ run and becomes a brat when he's not allowed.
Anyways, sorry for the rant. I've been following the site for awhile, and I just wanted to provide as much info up front as I can.
Only thing I can think of is try playing with him in the yard for awhile and kinda getting past the hyperness before a walk, but he does the jumping/ biting thing there too sometimes.
Thanks everyone.
I have an almost 7 month old german shepherd mix. (Dad is full shepherd)
He's always been a bit high strung and overly active but he has improved a lot in the past while.
The most common issue i'm having is on walks, and just for extra information I use one of those under the arm and hook at the back harnesses to help with pulling. ( I think it's called a sporn) Previously he would get startled or bratty on walks and would gently bite at my running shoes and jump up at my arms. No signs of aggression, tale would be wagging and he would be friendly. I would respond by standing perfectly still and ignoring him and he would suddenly stop and wait for me to move, then we'd carry on the walk as usual. This would go on for a few minutes, and sometimes if I moved to quickly he would start again. This was annoying but he'd learn and stop quickly.
During that time he would get a lot of backyard time, he would run around and play ball and just get into mischief in the yard, but having that freedom would cause him to be bratty and not come in the house when told. He would litteraly sit outside the door on the porch then run as soon as I would open the door. This would happen all through the night when he'd have bathroom breaks and it would take a lot of upset to get him back into the house. ( Previously he would do great and come back when called).
Fast forward to the last 3 weeks, he is only allowed out for bathroom breaks on the leash, which he responds to nicely, and allowed out to play only if I am with him. We were doing great progress with walking too, we'd do an hour in the morning for a long neighbourhood walk, and an hour at around 9pm and he would go to bed for the night afterwards. I should mention that he is not allowed to interact with other dogs, he is too jumpy and this isn't the type of neighbourhood with dogs I feel comfortable with.
Last 3 days, he is doing well other then when trying to walk him. He will out of no where start wagging the tail really fast and start biting my running shoes, pulling on my pant legs and then jumping up and biting my arms. Which is quite painful even with a poofy nylon winter coat on. He hasn't punctured the skin but there is many many bruises that I am embarrased to admit too. When he is in this mood he becomes very high strung and doesn't listen to anything. Only thing I can do to protect myself is to hold his bum and push him into a sit position and just sit and hold him until he calms down, petting and talking to him. However once I let go he starts all over again. I have even hidden his toys in my pocket and use them as bait during these times but he just ignores it.
Yesterday I was stuck on a street with him for over 45 minutes until he tired himself out enough to continue walking. This is is just really upsetting to me because it goes on for so long and I worry about what these strangers will think. I understand it must look horrible from their perspective, but aside from these outbursts everything is going well.
I haven't figured out the cause of the moments, it's more common during the day then at night, so I'm not sure if he's getting startled or just wants to play/ run and becomes a brat when he's not allowed.
Anyways, sorry for the rant. I've been following the site for awhile, and I just wanted to provide as much info up front as I can.
Only thing I can think of is try playing with him in the yard for awhile and kinda getting past the hyperness before a walk, but he does the jumping/ biting thing there too sometimes.
Thanks everyone.