What does GSD stand for?

German Shephard Dog...

How long is she in the crate?
How much exercise time does she get?

Has she been checked for intestinal parasites?

Thanks joepyeweed for the response

I let her out for playing with my other dog three times a day each for around 30 minutes. I have a 100 X 150 feet yard where she runs fast when I let her out for playing. Rest of the time she is the cage. If the weather is too cold like the current weather conditions (below 32 degrees for the past 3 weeks), I only let her play for 15 minutes twice a day. So most of the time she is in the cage. Does this affect her stomach?

Not sure whether intestinal parasites test was done, I will check with the vet.

I only let her play for 15 minutes twice a day. So most of the time she is in the cage. Does this affect her stomach?

I know it would effect mine...if were stuck in a cage all day, except for two 15 minute outings, I would be sick, and tired and stressed.

If you have to keep her in a crate all day, perhaps you should find a new home for her.

I understand your point. It is too cold here. I am worried that putting them outside for long period when the temperature is 20 degrees may affect them. What do you do in cold weather?

When I am at home, my dogs are wherever I am, in the living room, in the kitchen, in the bedroom etc. They follow me around awaiting a command, a pet, or toss of toy. They lay at my feet, or in my lap, when I am on the computer or watching TV.

I take my dogs for a walk everyday. A walk is different than letting them run freely in a fence yard. A walk stimulates their mind, as they have to walk in control, with you, their leader at the other end of the leash. A walk exposes their olfactory senses(that makes up much of their brain) to different smells that they cannot get in your home and in your yard. We walk two times for about 15 - 20 minutes each day, during the week. And we take much longer walks when the weather is nice and its a weekend.

When I am not home, my dogs are either confined to the front room (with two couches and a big picture window) or they are in their crate. But they are never in a crate for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time... And usually they are only crated while potty training. Once potty trained, they are rarely crated. Though they still use their crates voluntarily, when they want to nap.

Whether you know it or not your dog is being abused. Animals just like people need love and attention. Why did you get a dog only to leave locked up in a cage. Your dog is probably suffering from depression. I have an english bulldog which is one of the most lethargic breeds and even she would go nuts if locked in a cage for most of the day. According to you ...the most your dog is free is for about one and a half hours and thats on a good day. My old dog used to intentionally pee in the house when she was pissed at me. Maybe your dog is trying to let you know how unhappy it is. Since it does not spend any time with you it is trying to show you the only way you will understand. I think that if you have no time to spend with your animal maybe you should find someone who does. And please do not do another animal the disservice of being owned by you. Being in a cage is no way to spend your life.

I would say be careful what you write here. Don't jump in to conclusions and discourage people.

I don't abuse dogs. Both the dogs I have, are adapted from the shelter, I give them the best food, keeping them up to date on all vaccines and we all love them. To quote an example, When I went on vacation for 2 weeks during this new year, I put both the dog in one of the best Doggy day care which is 20 miles away with 30+ other dogs so that they can socialize instead of being in a cage in a cheap dog kennel near my home.

I have a Lab and GSD and the Lab is not in the Cage. The previous owner who had put the GSD in the county shelter had written that GSD chews things up (Leather sofas etc). So the shelter staff/trainer recommended that I create train her and slowly let her out when she grows up. I don't see she is stressed up. She is playful and likes us.

I understand that dogs are social and need more time with human beings. But to accuse me that I am abusing dogs is ridiculous.

"I only let her play for 15 minutes twice a day"

Even prisoners at the state pen get an hour a day out of their cells to exercise.

From you original explanation, the conclusion others are reaching is that the dog is crated for 23.5 hours per day. Based on this, the reaction is justified.

the shelter staff/trainer suggested crate training as a solution when the dog cannot be supervised. Surely, you are available to supervise the dog more than 30 minutes each day?

I am a HUGE supporter of crate training and I'm wondering if there's a misunderstanding here. When you are home, where's the dog?

Let me explain here clearly. May be I did not describe it correctly

If you read my posting, I wrote that I don't let them out for more than 15 minutes when it is very cold. For the past two weeks the temp is 20 degrees here many days. It is an exaggeration to say that the dog spend 23.5 hours a day for 7 days a week inside the cage. This is not true.

I work out of home and during week days and typically let them out for 3 to 5 times a day ranging from 1/2 hour to 1 hour each trip if it the weather is good. I don't use a stop watch, so probably I would say not less than 1/2 hour and not more than an hour in the yard. Here is my schedule

I get up at 6.00 AM and let them out first
Second recess at 8.00 AM after they finished their food (Most of the time both the dogs POOP during this trip)
Third around 1.00 PM
Fourth around (If any) 4.00M
Last around 9.00 PM

During week ends, this schedule gets changed, because we get up late but the dogs spend more time out side

If I go out of my home, I might skip the third or forth based on my schedule. My Lab is not in cage. We don't take them for walk on all week days, may be twice or thrice a week, by me or my wife probably for an hour or so. GSD is in cage rest of the time. During the Weekends, my sons take them out for walk up to an hour or some time more. I seldom let GSD roam around inside the house since she has the habit of chewing. Some times my sons take her to their bed rooms, but no time limit. They play and after that the GSD is back in Cage.

Gee, I did not realize that there are some people in this forum just waiting to find opportunity to criticize others. Why else in the world you pick two or three words of a sentence and come to a conclusion?

Seth,

Maybe I did jump to conclusions a bit. If you are using the crate only as a training device. My dog was also crate trained. However once I was home she was free to be with me. If the dog chews and you can't watch her every move, then I suggest when you are home you put the GSD on a leash so she can be with you and at the same time won't chew things. I do understand its hard to constantly watch a dog....my tootsie is a year old and is always wandering around...Anytime she is gone too long I have to stop what I'm doing and check on her (I work from home so sometimes it is a problem). But from your original post it did sound like you just have the dog crated all the time....and anyone who would consider that Okay should be discouraged from getting a dog. The reason I do post such things on here sometimes is because I do hope that someone that is considering a pet will come across these post and hopefully think before adding to their family.

I assumed that your dog wasn't crated as much as you had implied. If you go back and read what you wrote in your previous posts, what you described seems like your dog is spending way too much time in the crate...I certainly hope that your description doesn't match the reality of the situation.

I guess when your dog is not in the crate, does he let you know when he has to go outside to potty?

Is your dog generally potty trained? It sounds like he spends so much time in the crate, it might be hard to know how well potty trained he is?

But back to the loose stools, if they are a common occurrence, I would have my vet do a thorough exam with blood work, parasite check et al. Hopefully that checks out normal, then I would review the diet. Are you feeding a premium dog food, with more meat than grains?

You want to try an elimination diet to check for food allergies? A common problem for many dogs on commercial diets.

But I would also be mindful of the general socialization of the dog. GSD are one of those "smart" breeds that need a lot stimulation, socialization, training, they need a job. After addressing the health and diet issues, I would focus on stress issues. Its very stessful for smart dogs to be lacking in mental stimulation.

There is a thread on this forum about chewing and lots of suggestions regarding supervision, walking, addressing boredom and providing alternate items for the dog chew on.

You can train a dog not to be a destructive chewer, such that he doesn't need constant crating. A crate is a tool to keep your dog safe while training, its not a substitute for training.

Anytime a dog begins to exhibit symptoms out of the blue, it should be checked by a vet. In addition, this dog obviously needs more time with you. Too much time in a crate is stressful to any dog, but a sensitive, super-smart breed like a GSD will go absolutely bonkers. Like trinigemini, I would tether this dog to me so that i could provide constant supervision and begin to teach him what can be chewed appropriately. Are you just turning him out in the yard and depending on his ability to self-exercise? Why not spend 15 minutes during each "recess" working on obedience skills and then give him 15 minutes of "free" time in the yard?
The dog really needs more stimulatation than crate/outdoors/crate/outdoors and 2 maybe 3 hour long walks per week.

It's been said before and joepye said it again....

A crate is a tool to keep your dog safe while training, its not a substitute for training. I have 5 dogs (Anatolian Shepherd, Akbash, Border Collie, Great Dane and German Short-hair) and all are crated WHEN I AM NOT HOME, but i wouldn't have this many dogs (+ 1 foster dog) if I wasn't committed to giving them the attention and supervision they need to thrive. The BC and GSP would not only be soiling their crates, they would be chewing their feet off out of boredom.

Plenty of good advice here! The one reason I am not ready to bring even a small dog into my home is that I know I won't be able to take it out for long walks, true I could let it out to play for as long as it wanted, in a safe area, but from what I've read on this forum, walks are absolutely necessary and there's a good deal of commitment required to owning a dog. (I find taking care of five cats really easy!)

I agree with the other posters that a vet visit is in order. Did you check yet if she was tested/treated for intestinal parasites?

Please do take some time to go thru the posts asking for help with destructive chewing, there is lots of good advice there too. Your dog just might be able to get rid of its habit with patience and consistence from you and your family.

All the best
Pranjal

Just to add - because it is a GSD we're talking about, if the tests for parasites (and potential treatment) does not clear up the problem, you will need to have your vet order something called a "TLI" test. There's a disorder (possibly genetic) in German Shepherds called Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency...the symptoms of which are excessive diarrhea and "wasting" (eating all the time, and still losing weight). Basically, the dog isn't able to digest food anymore. Your vet can give you more info, and decide whether to test for it based on your dog's symptoms, but it's something you need to be aware of and ask about if this continues/gets worse and isn't solved by parasite treatments. It's very serious, but also very treatable.

Any breed can get it, but GSD's and Collies are more prone to it, so if your vet can't figure out what's wrong, and the problem continues, ask about it. Better to test and find out it's not the problem than to watch your dog suffer months before diagnosis (which is what happened to us). We went round and round with parasite tests and antibiotics, and finally switched vets before we figured out what was wrong. Now Lucy's doing much better.

Hopefully, it's just parasites, or too much crate time, or even food that doesn't agree with her (have you tried switching foods - could be a food allergy). But if you don't find a diagnosis soon, don't be afraid to ask about EPI. Just in case.

Jamie
Lucy (GSD/Lab, EPI) & Gabriel (Dobe/Lab, CVI)

Thanks every one for the help; This evening, I gave the feces sample to the doctor for parasites testing. The doctor said that the last time this test was done in April 2008. Tomorrow I will ask for a TLI test. Also I will take her for a walk everyday.

You have not mentioned the name or gender of your dog. Just GSD.

Dogs do not want to soil themselves, so evidently GSD needs to be out of the crate more, to give it a chance to empty itself. Diarrhea indicates a problem, and the GSD would need additional water to replace fluids lost.

If a dog has to eliminate, that needs to be addressed.

Now, you asked for "thoughts:" Your dog needs more time out of the crate. Specifically: playing outside (not "laying," but "playing", which will pump its blood and keep it warm); interacting with you (i.e. throw a ball, play with a tug toy, training sessions); and a good long walk at least once a day.

It's better for the dog and better for your relationship with the dog.

A vet visit is always recommended, as mentioned above, with any kind of physical or behavioral changes.

I am not saying this is you, but some dogs are kept in crates 18+ hours a day by owners too busy to give their dogs what dogs really need. Owners are too busy or tired to give their animals the requisite attention dogs need. This won't kill the dogs but in heart and spirit.

Jamie has given great advice. We've got an EPI GSD-mix ourselves. As Jamie said, any breed (or mixed breed) can get EPI, but it's estimated that over 50% of EPI dogs are shepherds. (Cats can get it too.) The first sign is usually frequent poops and diarrhea (often "cow pies"). Normal blood tests and stool samples cannot detect EPI, so it's true you must ask for the "TLI" test by name. It's often sent to Texas A&M University for analysis.

A website that summarizes EPI well is below.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: EPI in Dogs

Thanks for the suggestions

And we do hope you will follow up with us in a few months, to let us know if you're dog gets better.

Otherwise I will worry about her...

I won't go so far as to say you are abusing your dog - but surely if you work from home, your dog could be tethered to you?

If she is a chewer, it will NEVER go away if she is locked up a good chunk of the day. Dogs destroy because they are bored and under stimulated. Also, how can you correct the problem, if you're unable to correct her in the act? Your dog won't just snap out of it and become a well mannered doggy citizen without the opportunities to mess up and learn from you.

My beagle was a chewer - I was home with her all day, too. If she couldn't be beside me, she was in her crate, but never for more than a half hour, unless we were out. Your dog should be with you as often as possible, inside and out, all day every day.

I am saying this from experience, not to criticize. The more time she spent in the crate, the more destructive she would be once she was let out and we turned around. Dogs need tons of social interactions inside and out. The less social they're allowed to be, particularly if they're locked up - the more likely they are to become shy and agressive. You WILL end up with an agressive, destructive dog if this dog isn't given more time with it's family.

Are you outside with the dogs when you put them out for an hour, or inside? IF you're not with them, then the only time GSD is getting social interaction with the family for any length of time, is when your sons take her, correct?

Also, I'm glad you're getting her checked out, something is obviously wrong. You might have work ahead of you, even if the problem is solved, because your dog may have learned popping in the crate, gets her let out.

Seth,
The smartest dog I ever met was a GSD. Thankfully he came into my life as a pup when someone wrote on a card "no time for - chews a little" and handed it (and him) over to the Humane Society attendant. He was really so eager to please that the first night's squat in the house and my rushing to him to catch him before the act, well, he never went in the house again EXCEPT for the one time when he WAS confined to his crate and had loose stools. He was so ashamed upon my coming home to that. And I didn't even scold him - he was that smart. And it WAS my fault afterall. As for the chewing, he did love it but in a very short time of my replacing the inappropiate object in his mouth with an acceptable toy, he was good about it. He knew the names of all of his toys too. Smartest dog ever. Changed our lives, he did.
(p.s. Doesn't your lab mouth?)