Reasons Why German Shepherds Follow You Everywhere
The German Shepherd dog is following you everywhere? He does not want to leave you alone for a minute? Lets look at the reasons
Why German Shepherds Follow You Everywhere? Your German Shepherd dog follows you everywhere because he might suffer from separation anxiety. Or the Gsd is acting as a velcro Dog. Attention seeking is another possible reason to follow you around. German Shepherd puppy might see you as its mother .
Why Is My German Shepherd So Nervous
If your German Shepherd has been being nervous you might be wondering why and what you can do about it.
This post will show you a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might be so nervous and what you can do to stop it.
So, why is my German Shepherd so nervous? Possible reasons are that it was mistreated when it was a puppy, it has separation anxiety, you recently adopted it or youre in a new home, you get emotional around it or that you have inadvertently reinforced the behavior.
There are a number of things that you can consider when trying to figure out why your German Shepherd might be so nervous. Depending on the cause, there are also a number of things that you can do about it.
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth
The digestive systems of humans and animals are teeming with both beneficial and harmful bacteria. To be healthy, at least 80% of bacteria must be beneficial. When the number of harmful bacteria in the dogs intestines increases, issues might occur.
In this situation, we might see increased hunger in dogs and decreased nutritional absorption. Bacterial overgrowth in the stomach may turn a dog into a binge eater. When there is an outbreak of harmful germs, the dog will feel like starving to death.
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How Do You Stop German Shepherd Whining
It can be difficult to determine whether a German Shepherd whines for a good reason or not. Pay attention to the specific situation to better understand why your dog may be whining. If the situation is addressed, the whining will likely stop immediately. However, if your German Shepherd is whining too much, learning how to stop the behavior is important.;
There are several techniques available depending on the situation. Additionally, the Book Training your German Shepherd on provides added information on how you can train your German Shepherd to stop excessively whining.;
Final Verdict Are German Shepherds Afraid Of Darkness
There are several factors which can make your German shepherd feeling scared. Darkness is one of them. But according to the scientific literature and experts, German shepherds are not much susceptible to darkness fear just like other breeds of dogs.
They are strong dogs and alert dogs. Additionally, if you find any issue in your beloved GS, talk to a registered pet expert. He/she will help you better diagnosing the actual reason of anxiousness in your canine buddy.
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Train Your Gsd To Be Alone
The best thing to do to avoid symptoms of separation anxiety is to train your dog at an early age. Leave your dog alone for a few minutes. Note its behavior but do not make a big deal if it gets sad or destructive. Continue to train it by increasing the time until you leave the home for eight hours straight .
Another important thing is not to be present with your GSD all the time. Let it be alone even when you are at home.
Socialize And Train Your Gsd While Young
Protective factors include ensuring a wide range of experiences outside the home between 2-10 months. Puppies should be exposed to different stimuli as often as possible from an early age. Start by introducing your pup to your family and friends, taking him to many different places where he can encounter other dogs and experience various scenarios, such as traffic noise, lots of people, children playing, etc.
Puppies need a routine and a training schedule. Check out my article, German Shepherd Puppy Training Schedule, for a month-by-month plan on what to teach and when.
If you have adopted an older dog or a rescue who has had little or no training, dont worry, as its never too late to train a German Shepherd due to their intelligence and immense desire to please. Just understand it may take a little longer. For both puppies and older dogs, obedience classes are always an excellent idea.
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Poor Habits And Inconsistent Feeding
Inconsistent feeding and poor behaviors in your German shepherd might cause him to seem always hungry. In the majority of situations, these undesirable behaviors are initiated by the dogs owner. For instance, offering food to the dog whenever you eat or feeding him anytime he appears hungry or requests food.
Regular feeding is critical to preventing these undesirable behaviors in the dog. Never provide food to your dog when he appears to be hungry. When your dog has finished breakfast or supper, remove the remaining food from the dish and refrain from feeding him until the next meal.
Allow him no more than two meals per day and inform him that he will receive nothing else until the next meal. Preventing a harmful habit is preferable to correct one.
Whining Because Of Excitement
As we mentioned earlier, a German Shepherd whine as a way of communicating. When a German Shepherd is excited, it may also whine to express its joy and happiness.;
Some instance where a German Shepherd whines from excitement include:
- When someone comes home
- When it is about to go for a walk
- When playing with you, or other dogs
- When it is being served food
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What Does German Shepherd Separation Anxiety Look Like
These factors above all come into play with separation anxiety. German Shepherds should not be left alone for hours, as they simply wont be able to cope with the stress.
The signs below are classic signals to look out for if your German Shepherd is suffering separation anxiety:
- Trying to escape the yard or house like under or over fences.
You can reduce your German Shepherds separation anxiety when you leave your home by adopting the following routines:
- Always stay calm and put them at ease.
- Dont make a big thing of it when you leave the house.
- Build them a safe and comfortable place to sleep in.
- Only leave the house for short absences at first.
- Use positive reinforcement.
- Keep your German Shepherd happy and entertained with toys.
- Keep your German Shepherd well exercised to burn off excess energy.
- Employ a dog walker or doggy day care if you are away for a few hours.
- Speak with your vet for professional advice and possible medication.
Check if your German Shepherd is happy
If you still not sure whether your German Shepherd is happy or not, then you might want to check out other signs to look out for.
Or Maybe They Always Avoid Eye Contact When You Try To Look At Them And They Retreat To The Other Room Or Into A Hiding Place Often If So Your Dog Likely Has An Anxiety Disorder
- Spontaneous elimination
- Avoiding interactions
- Displacement behaviors: yawning, lip licking, air sniffing, shaking it off like a wet dog
More and more pets are experiencing Separation Anxiety as their parents return to working in the office after working from home for so long.;A dog with separation anxiety may become destructive of furniture, bark, whine or howl excessively, or potty in the house when left alone. This behavior can occur whether youre gone an hour or only 5 minutes.
these natural ways to help a dog with anxietySocial Anxiety
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Reducing Separation Anxiety In Dogs
You can download this article as a PDF by clicking here;and keep it handy for yourself or share it with someone you know.
EVERYONE NEEDS A LITTLE TIME ALONE NOW AND THEN;unless of course you are a dog who suffers from separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when theyre left alone. Typically, theyll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time after their owners leave them. The most common of these behaviors are:
- Digging, chewing, and scratching at doors or windows in an attempt to escape and reunite with their owners
- Howling, barking, and crying in an attempt to get their owners to return
- Urination and defecation as a result of distress
Why Do Dogs Suffer from Separation Anxiety?
;We dont fully understand why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and, under similar circumstances, others dont. Its important to realize, however, that the destruction and house soiling that often occur with separation anxiety are not the dogs attempt to punish or seek revenge on his owner for leaving him alone. In reality, they are part of a panic response.
- When a dog accustomed to constant human companionship is left alone for the first time
- Following a long interval, such as a vacation, during which the owner and dog are constantly together
- After a traumatic event , such as a period of time spent at a shelter or boarding kennel
- After a change in the familys routine or structure
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Separation Anxiety?
Exercise Your German Shepherd Sufficiently
German Shepherds are high-energy dogs and need a lot of daily exercise. Exercise helps to keep them healthy and prevents boredom. This study;found that dogs with separation anxiety exercised less compared with dogs that did not have separation anxiety. The same study also found that unsocialized dogs were more at risk .
Always exercise your German Shepherd before you leave him.;He will be tired and will want to sleep while you are away. A tired dog is also a happy dog. When you return home, exercise him again.
A healthy adult German Shepherd needs at least two periods of between 45 to 60-minutes of daily exercise. Its also important that you allow your dog to run off-leash and play games such as fetch or frisbee, as this will mentally stimulate him. Walking him on the lead every day without any variety will not be sufficient.
Puppies have different exercise requirements as they are still growing, and too much or the wrong type of exercise can be harmful to pups. So, here are my 7 fun ways how to exercise a German Shepherd puppy.
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Mix Their Meals With Home
Make their food exciting!
Feed your German Shepherd some home-made meals. Theyre going to love that.;
Dogs love having variation in their food. Introducing new food can motivate them to eat more.
Some of the food you can give them are chicken, rice, egg, and vegetables such as pumpkin.
But before doing this, consult your vet. You want to make sure you are giving the right food and the right amount.
Its In Your German Shepherds Genes
German Shepherds are known for being brave, loyal, and protective and make an ideal good first dog, as long as you have the time to devote to them. Theyre also extremely intelligent and easy to train, which is why theyre often used both as family pets and as working dogs!
Since being a working dog is in their genes, theyre used to developing a strong attachment to one person. Remember, German Shepherds were originally bred to herd sheep and other livestock and to work alongside one person.
If you have ever wondered why your GSD nudges your ankles or the back of your leg with his nose, he is herding you, usually because he wants you to carry on playing!
Its therefore in your German Shepherds genes to be extremely loyal to one person whom they depend on, and that one person may also depend on them to do their job especially if they are used as a working dog.
Even though your German Shepherd may just be a family pet, hes still prone to developing this type of relationship and he loves to please his owner immensely.
German Shepherds are so clingy because its a characteristic of his breed he is not an independent dog by nature.
You also only have to think about how loyal and protective German Shepherds can be. Your German Shepherd considers you to be family, which is why he wants to be around you so much.
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Why Does My German Shepherd Have Separation Anxiety
If your German Shepherd has suddenly started suffering from separation anxiety, you may wonder what has caused it, other than the breeds disposition to it.
Causes of separation anxiety in German Shepherds are insufficient early socialization and training, hyper attachment to their owner, trauma such as abuse, abandonment, or neglect. A change of owner, environment, or routine is also a cause, and shelter dogs are certainly more prone.
It is often reported that separation anxiety can be caused when puppies are removed prematurely from their mother . However, this does not appear to be the case according to this study by the American Veterinarian Medical Association:
Results do not support the theory that early separation from the dam leads to future development of separation anxiety.
They Cant Help But Kiss Or Lick You
Dogs learn to lick and kiss during puppyhood. Puppies lick their mothers mouths as a signal that they want to get fed. Therefore, they learn early on that licking on the mouth is a way to show they want to be cared for.
As they grow older, kissing also becomes a communication act. Dogs mouths and noses are incredibly sensitive. A few kisses can give them tons of information about you, including where youve been and who youve been with.
While its up to you to set boundaries with your own GSD, know that kissing you only means that they love you and are interested in what youve been doing.
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Whining To Get Attention
In a scenario where the dog wants something, it may whine to get your attention.;German Shepherds are very active and friendly dogs. With their owners, they crave a lot of love, care, and attention throughout the day.
If you have not been giving it any attention, you may find the German Shepherd whining more than usual. However, if the dog has associated whining with attention, then it may end up whining to get the attention that it wants.;;
How Can You Tell A Fake German Shepherd Puppy
Examining the Dogs Coat One of the most obvious ways to tell a German Shepherd from other dog breeds is by simply looking at its coat. When we think of the typical German Shepherd, we think of tan coloring with black facial and saddle markings. The coat is typically dense and short and lies close to the body.
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They Follow You Due To Emotional Reasons
Youre tickled pink knowing that your dog follows you around because they miss you. Or they just want to hang around with you.
This is not the case all the time. Sometimes, feelings of insecurity push them into being your shadow.
This is especially true among adopted German Shepherds.
Insecurity stems from bad experiences in the past. They might bring this emotional baggage into their new home.
Its not going to be easy to make them feel secure right away. Until then, following you is the best thing to do for them.
Signs Your German Shepherd Is Stressed
German Shepherd Dogs are intelligent, sweet and loyal to their families. If you have one, you know this is true. You also know many of them suffer from stress. As a trainer, I see a lot of nervous German Shepherd Dogs that have a hard time focusing or relaxing in new places or around new people. The first step to helping your German Shepherd Dog is recognizing when he is feeling this way so you can help him. The following are signs your shepherd is feeling stressed or anxious.
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Diet And Poor Nutrition
The first thing you have to consider is if youre feeding your German Shepherd with enough nutritious food.
According to PetCareRx, German Shepherds typically have a daily caloric requirement ranging from 1,272 calories to 2,100 calories depending on the dogs activity level.
So, the question is, are you feeding your German Shepherd enough to fulfill its caloric requirements? If not, that you might just have your answer.
What Causes Separation Anxiety In German Shepherds
It is not properly understood why dogs experience separation anxiety. There are, however, a few likely scenarios.
First, wolves and dogs are natural pack animals. They grow fond of each other and their master much faster than other animals like cats.
It is not, therefore, hard to imagine how difficult it is for your dog to feel alone, as they might be afraid of being hurt or lost.
Another possible reason for this behavior is previous experiences with abandonment. Dogs adopted from shelters are particularly vulnerable to these experiences.
According to GermanShepherdWorld, the issue is also quite rampant in older dogs who have had to survive the passing or departure of their owners and had to be re-homed.
Here are a few possible causes for your German Shepherds separation anxiety.
- Moving into a new home
- New household schedules such as school hours or a new job
- Recent additions to the household such as a new pet, a baby, or a new roommate.
- Changing of a guardian being moved to another family
- Death or moving of a family member