First post....in need of advice :(

Don't worry! This sounds like a totally manageable problem. She is actually typical for a young 11 month old GSD. Here is what we do to get our dogs over this:

First, since a GSD has to have mental excersise, we join a training class. This gives us someplace to go to be involved with our dogs so it's fun for us, but mostly, it gives our dogs something to do-- because of all the homework we need to do at home from the class.

Second, speaking of homework-- this will help a LOT! Tire her out mentally (mental excersise again for these GSDs) have her do some sits, some downs, some heeling, some 'comes'-- on different surfaces. On a bumpy brick walkway outside the library, on a satiny smooth marble foyer in a shop, on the green grass of a park (filled with scents competing for her attention), and even on the raised surface of a picnic table! Try a stone wall-- bumpy surface plus height increase! These excersises on new, differing surfaces will tire her brain out.

Third-- Excersise her body more! Being turned out into the garden isn't enough for an 11 month old GSD, nor are standard long walks. With kids and a life, how can you find time? Easy! Find a field, a big fenced tennis court, anywhere that Honey can run offlead safely. Get two rubber balls on elastics, and play fetch. She won't bring the ball back? Sure she will! Because.. she doesn't get ball #2 until she brings you back ball #1. In 10 - 15 minutes, you will have a tired dog. Chew the chairleg? She needs a drink and a snooze! (note: My 18 month old needs 5 - 10 minutes ball chasing, twice a day.. each dog is different) You will see if she needs her ball chasing twice a day or not, but, probably so. To save time, you can even switch a walk for a ball game, just be sure she has time to.. uh.. use the facilities before going back home.

Also, what kind of "tough-girl" toys does she have available to her? Well, they need to stand up to a chewer.. so a Kong or other hard rubber toys may satisfy her urge. And, the key is, that they should not be available to her 24/7.... you ask her to sit, down, or come-- and then give her a toy to tire herself out and have something to do.

If you see her chewing something inappopriate, "AACKK-AACKK!" and tell her what you DO wish her to do. How about a nice down-stay by you for 3 seconds? Lots of soooothing praise when she does that, too. Or, you can see her chewing and recognize it as a need for her mental and energy outlet, and redirect her to a toy--- following her doing a sit or down or heel, whatever you have asked for, right there in your livingroom.

A crate is a wonderful thing for a very energetic dog who needs a job and mental stimulation. The crate gives her a chance now and again to have a crating schedule she can count on for naps, a time to relax.

Just want to also add-- you may wish to re-arrange a bit how things are left in the home, because access to fascinatingly stinky chewy items-of-interest such as shoes may be too tempting for her. Shoes maybe in a box in the front hall closet, perhaps? Putting things out of reach for now can help set Honey up for success!

She sounds like a dream dog! Good luck with her. I am sure more experienced owners will now chime in.

These GSDs are such a thinking breed. The nice thing is, you will actually get into a comfortable rutine with her-- it will actually feel good to you to pick up her leash and go for her 10 am ball playing and her 5 pm ball playing.. it will not take any extra time, as it can substitute for a walk you would normally have taken anyway. Plus, doing the excersises to tire her mentally will become a fun thing for both. The end result is a puppy who matures into a dog who, out of habit, will now look to you for fun, look to you for shared adventures.. the lifelong bond deepens with obedience rutines and earned praise. Everybody wins! Working with these dogs daily, even for a quickie 5 mins in the livingroom on a rainy day, or out at the park, really makes the GSD bond develop into the legendary tight relationship that it becomes. Oh, and, the workouts save your sofa, too.

Peet, yes! Great idea, the search game!

Is there a low stone wall near you? I sometimes take Grimm to a school where there is a stone wall. On the wall, he has to concentrate really hard to sit, down, and heel. I even have him stay-- then come, all while walking carefully atop the low wall. Concentrating can tire a dog nicely.

A playground with a kiddie slide, teeter-totter, benches, and other equipment, while not built for dogs, can (if you are very careful about her safety and staying right with her) stimulate her mind and scratch her mental itch. Imagine her doing a sit stay at the base of a slide! Or a down atop a bench! Just some fun things to keep that brain busy, so when she has time at home, she can unwind more easily. She is so young.. tiring her brain really will help get through this.