Dog Community

dog jumping and biting (new behavior)

Posted : 7/11/2006 6:17:52 PM

german shepard, female, that is about a year old. she has spent most of her time with my mother and brother, as I have been away at school. my family has been away for about 3 weeks, and the dog and i have been getting to know each other, and up till recently it went generally smoothly.

it started with her turning over her food and water bowls in the morning before i left for work about 4 days ago. i come home to let her out, and she starts jumping on me, and attempted to bite me several times. this has now been a pattern over the past 4 days. she jumps on my back and then proceeds to try to bite me, relentlessly. i am unsure of what to do, and i am scared that she will actually draw blood (she's made contact twice so far).

any possible reasoning for this?

spiritdogs

Posted : 7/12/2006 7:27:36 AM

It just sounds like a dog that is getting way too little exercise, and is way too demanding. Start some training with her, make sure she is well exercised, and let her drag her leash around when you are home. If she jumps, simply step on the leash (about a foot from the snap) so she will self-correct if she tries again. Then, calmly ask her to sit and reward her for doing so. Another tactic is to simply leave the room any time she demands attention that way. Come back a few minutes later, ask her to sit, or lie down, or do a trick. Whatever she knows. Never let her decide when to go out, play games, eat, etc. You decide.

zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa]

Posted : 7/12/2006 4:51:24 PM

Well it sounds liek your dog is pretty much lacking obediance, manners and is acting a little wild. Your previous absence may be confusing as she dosnt see you as a pack leader and you may have to start from scratch. I say walk with her, get her used to you being the leader and DEFINTLEY work on some obediance training with her. It sounds as if she has no idea how to behave and needs to be shown. You can make her out to be the dog you want and the previous post about ignoring her when she acts up is great too. No time like the present, keep us posted!

blink28514

Posted : 7/12/2006 6:48:11 PM

thanks for the advice. i've been trying to do simple training things with her, and keep her out a little longer at night, she's slightly better.

Xeph

Posted : 7/12/2006 7:49:01 PM

Gotta say, sounds like a typical GSD! I agree with everybody else...she's bored, not getting enough exercise. She's being obnoxious, but that's what happens when you don't give a working dog enough exercise.

My Strauss is much the same way. During agility...he body slams me if I'm not giving commands fast enough (we're working on this). Hop on your bike and take your girl for a 30-45 minute jog, and bring her home and work obedience with her. Teach her MANNERS!

A GSD is not a good GSD without proper physical and mental exercise. It's like locking Albert Einstein in a closet and only giving him a piece of string to play with. It doesn't bode well for anybody, let alone Albert ;-)