[Grace4514]

My uncle recently passed away from heart problems two weeks ago. He had a German shepherd/black lab mix dog named Rookie. I ended up taking her. Rookie was with my uncle all the time almost. Even to work ( he was a truck driver) he had her since a pup and she just turned 4. So this is a big adjustment for her of course but im wondering how I can correct some things. For one shes a very protective/clingy dog she follows me everywhere I go through the house I cant go out of her sight. I left to go to town the other day and left her at the house but my boyfriend was with her so I didn't think she would freak out so much. He said she ran back and forth through the house for 30 minutes or so after I left But she just does this with me. If anyone knows how I can help her feel more relaxed being alone in a room that would be great

I dont know if this second thing is possible to change. When me and my boyfriend are just playing around if she thinks he's hurting me or I'm hurting him she jumps up on you, and does this like "warning". she doesn't bite you straight away she puts her mouth against your arm and has her paws on you, ( usually chest or torso area) She makes direct eye contact and will sometimes do this low growl, if you stop moving she gets off and acts like nothing ever happened. I'm not worried about it just with me or him so much but im terrified she will do it with little kids ( nieces and nephews) when they are playing and I cant exactly keep her away from them all the time. If she bit any of the kids I would have to get rid of her obviously. All of the kids are 3 and under so they dont understand yet. Is there anything I can do to help with this behavior? I'm just worried because she's not a small dog at all shes actually a lot bigger than my pure bred German shepherd somehow. So she could easily hurt someone

Also a picture of how adorable she is 😂

 

[storyist]

Why can't you keep her separate from the little kids? My big dogs would sure never be loose around any kid 3 or under and in fact that goes for kids a lot older than 3. An easygoing dog that's been raised around kids in one thing. Other than that, protect both dog and kid.

Also, I don't know the best way to stop the behavior with you and your bf, but in your shoes I'd find out and work on it now instead of waiting for it to get more assertive on the dog's part.

She's a beauty. Hope you can give her everything she needs to transition to a different life than she's had. I'd think the upset when you leave might just mitigate with time when she realizes you're always coming back, but she may need help with that too.

 

[Lillith]

I'm very sorry for the loss of your uncle. The dog is likely confused and scared at the sudden shakeup of her life, so the clinginess is not unusual. She's only been with you two weeks, so she's had very little time to learn your routines and that you're coming back. It's said it can take 3 months for a dog to settle into a new home. You might try giving her a stuffed frozen Kong or something else yummy when you leave to dull the sting of your departure a bit!

The "fun police" thing might also simply be because she doesn't know you or your boyfriend very well, yet, so becomes concerned when you roughhouse. I would work on teaching her an "off" cue or "leave it" cue of some sort, or perhaps a solid "go to bed" cue, which will give her something else to do than police you.

If you're worried about her with the kids, it's best to separate with a baby gate or even put her away entirely if she's too riled up. If its just a case of a dog getting excited by children running around, keeping her leashed and having a pocket full of treats will help, as well as that "leave it" cue. Reward her for ignoring the children and letting them do their thing.

 

[Grace4514]

I know it'll take time to adjust but I just worry when I do have to leave. I was told before when she was left alone for a while she ripped the fur off of her back. So I'm not just worried about her destroying stuff in the house, but also her hurting herself. You can see the hair is still thin on her back where she did pull it out. And I wanted to work on her being okay when she's alone that way if I do need to put her outside ( she's a jumper she can go over the tall baby gates we have ) she won't freak out. She doesn't even go outside to potty without me at least standing by the door. This morning I did get her to go out by herself I just left the door open since it was cool outside so she could come and go as she pleased and that seemed to work. But from what I've been told about her this isn't a new behavior. I think she just has separation anxiety, but I want to make her feel safe here so it will make adjusting a little easier for her

 

[Lillith]

Ah. If she has separation anxiety, you may be better off consulting with a professional specializing in separation anxiety. It's a tricky issue. You might also consider speaking with your vet about medication. A member here recently posted about Malena DeMartini's Mission Possible course in response to someone else's issues with separation anxiety.

 

[DaySleepers]

Agree with Lillith. If this were a new behavior, I'd assume it's stress related from such a big life change and that giving her time, routine, and love and see how she does. But with this being a longstanding behavior that goes as far as compulsive and/or self-mutilation behaviors, I'd get a vet and/or a behaviorist on board to talk about options like medication, to help reach a mental place where she's able to learn better ways to cope with the stress and anxiety of being left.

 

[Grace4514]

I will try to im trying to get her into a vet to get spayed and get her vaccines along with my other two dogs getting vaccines. Its very difficult still and some places aren't even taking in new patients because they're so booked up. And ill be starting school in August, I dont know how much time I'll be spending at the college and how much I'll be able to do online yet, so I dont want her left alone for long hours ill worry about her so hopefully I can find out something that will help her soon thank you all

 

[3GSD4IPO]

I am going to weigh in.. first about the dog breed. I think she is 100% German Shepherd (they do come in black!). Her behavior says German Shepherd as well. No Lab...

I think you have received some good advice here.
I would consider crate training her so she could be crated when you leave. This sometimes helps quite a lot with a dog that isn't thrilled when their person leaves the house.

 

[Uncle Foster]

Beautiful dog, but I am biased because she very much looks like the first dog my wife and I had as a married couple.
Very sorry for the loss of your uncle.
It is a good thing you are doing for this dog, giving her a loving home. Taking care of family.
This is also a very difficult time for the dog, having lost her first person.

When our firend died her little dog came to live with us.
The litle dog learned early on that it was okay to growl at his people.
Took me six months to stop that nonsense.

Back to you and your dog.
Separation Anxiety is a real challenge and your uncle really set the dog up for it
Go to akx.org, search separation anxiety in dogs - itś a start.

Generally, these are some of the things that make for a happy dog.
Basic Obedience, as the miniumu...
Sit, Stay, Down, Heel, Come, Off, Leave It. Hand Signals too.
Exercise. A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog. A Tired Puppy is a Happy Puppy.
A Loving Pack. Remember, dogs are social animals and they need their pack to be happy.

Good Luck,
Uncle Foster


Another aside
I rememeber it like it was yesterday, when if fact it was 35 years ago. Our dog #2, female dobie mix. I had been working with her on the hand signals. One morning, about to leave for work, I approach Daisy in the hall, give her the hand signal for Sit. Damned if she did not do the prettiest sit I had ever seen. I was so proud of uo. Both dogs would go on to be very reliable with hand signals.

 

[Toedtoes]

I agree that a good behaviorist is warranted. It is easy to offer suggestions based on a short description given, but ongoing observation and feedback will be most beneficial.

As for the breed, she is very similar to my Dog in negative (coloring). Dog was a shepherd/lab mix but was often thought to be a purebred white shepherd.