Why is my 7-month German Shepherd puppy so destructive & disobedient?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Although puppies will want to chew and bite, this behavior should be corrected with a little training. Keeping your hands away (placing them behind your back or folded) when he tries to go for a play bite will help eliminate the behavior. Also, making sure he has plenty of tactile toys around he enjoys to chew on will help as well. Lastly, a German Shepard needs PLENTY of exercise, so I would make sure he gets walked at least once daily (more is better). All of these behavioral tips can help decrease and eliminate the biting behavior. I hope this helps!

I am so sorry that you are experiencing these problems with destructive behaviour with Luther. I am sure it is very upsetting for you. First of all rest assured that this is a very normal puppy and young dog behaviour. Puppies learn through oral exploration and it is part of our role as pet parents to help them learn limits. The behaviours will calm down with age. In general the goals will also be increased exercise and mental stimulation. I would not attempt negative reinforcement such as striking Luther or speaking harshly as this will potentially create more serious behaviour issues such as anxiety and fear-aggression. Try some calm corrections and positive reinforcement. If Luther destroys something, simply say in a calm voice "no" and stop interacting with him for a few moments. This over time will teach him that chewing is not a desired form of play. Also try reinforcing him as she starts to play in a good way by not chewing inappropriate things, and giver him a small training treat. You can also try increasing her exercise and mental stimulation. These help with behaviour issues. Redirection to more appropriate activities or games will also help Other games which may be fun with Luther are hide and go seek either with you and another person, or you hide his toys and he has to find them. Or classic fetch. I would also suggest a dog appeasing pheromone diffuser such as this one to help calm him; www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=32887 Here are some resources to help; https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-tips-to-help-prevent-destructive-chewing/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/10-ways-to-stimulate-your-dog-s-brain/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-5-toys-gadgets-for-your-dog/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/benefits-of-maintaining-an-active-lifestyle-for-your-pet/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-common-myths-about-dog-aggression/ I hope this was helpful!

All of this sounds like normal puppy GSD behavior. They can have A LOT of energy that just needs to be expelled. I would consider taking her to a doggy day care during the day to see if this helps with her energy at night. I would also enroll her in a puppy behavior classes or have a trainer come to your house to help. These types of dogs need work and also need major behavior training in order to make them good dogs. Also, give her some time. As she becomes older she will mature and should improve but she won't without the appropriate training and attention. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You are likely describing teething which is basically a normal type of behavior when puppies are growing up and it is secondary to mouth discomfort as teeth are growing. I recommend that you get Pechi teething type toys which you can get at your local pet store or online. Anytime that she tries to nibble at you, you say no and give her the toy. This is likely going to resolve the issue but it does take time as this is a normal part of their growth. Good luck and have a good night!

That is a very young age to get a puppy and take it from its mother, which can affect socialization some. I highly recommend enrolling in a puppy kindergarten class together once Jerry is old enough to ensure you both set some ground rules, learn how to communicate with each other, socialize with other puppies, and get started on some basic obedience. It is normal for puppies to bark and be active, but if she is being aggressive, growling, snarling, etc, it is also a good idea to speak with a trainer or behaviorist in your area as this is not normal behavior. A trainer can work with you in person to help make sure Jerry is feeling comfortable instead of fearful, and that you both learn how to work together.

Yes, shepherds are a very dominant breed. You need to get this behavior under control before she gets much older. I don't know if you have any professional dog trainers where you live, but if you do, I suggest you consult with one. Dominance behaviors, if you try to correct in the wrong manner, can be very dangerous. A professional can help you do this the right way and safely. If you do not have access to a professional trainer then I suggest you read this website and try to incorporate the training methods described. ( https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-psychology/pack-position/5-keys-to-handling-a-dominant-dog ) ( http://inch.com/~dogs/taming.html ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! German Shepherds are highly intelligent an highly trainable dogs. I recommend hiring a trainer and nipping this in the bud now. German Shepherds are also very large and can be aggressive to strangers as adults so being able to control Bentley is very important. I would start with sit, stay, and leave it. Purchase the gentle leader harness that goes on the muzzle. Use that for all walks. Bring treats on the walk and when he tries to jump have him sit. Once he sits he gets a treat. Jumping is unacceptable in a dog his size and is one of the hardest bad habits to break. He should not be allowed to jump on people. The gentle leader allows great control of the head. I hope this helps and I wish you the very best!