Is your German Shepherd giving you the puppy eyes more often than usual? Are they turning your favorite shoes into chew toys or redesigning your garden landscape? If so, your furry friend might be trying to tell you something! German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and boundless energy.
But when these canine powerhouses don’t get enough exercise, they can turn into four-legged troublemakers faster than you can say “walkies.”
So, grab a cup of coffee (or a doggy treat), and let’s dive into the world of restless shepherds. Here are ten telltale signs your German Shepherd is begging for more action!
1. The Furniture Feng Shui Master
Does your living room look like it’s been rearranged by a furry interior designer with a destructive streak?
If your German Shepherd has suddenly taken an interest in redecorating your home by chewing on table legs, shredding couch cushions, or turning your carpet into a DIY project, it’s a clear sign they’re not getting enough physical and mental stimulation.
German Shepherds are working dogs by nature, and when they don’t have a job to do or enough exercise to burn off their energy, they’ll find ways to keep themselves entertained. Unfortunately, their idea of fun might not align with your vision of a well-kept home.
To prevent your pup from becoming the next HGTV star (in all the wrong ways), increase their daily exercise routine and provide plenty of appropriate chew toys and puzzles to keep their mind engaged.
2. The Canine Cling Wrap
Is your German Shepherd suddenly acting like your shadow, following you from room to room, even to the bathroom? While these dogs are known for their loyalty, excessive clinginess can be a sign that they’re not getting enough physical and mental stimulation outside of their interactions with you.
When German Shepherds don’t have enough outlets for their energy, they may become overly dependent on their owners for entertainment and stimulation. This behavior can lead to separation anxiety and other behavioral issues.
To help your furry velcro dog become more independent, increase their exercise routine, engage them in training sessions, and provide interactive toys that can keep them occupied when you’re busy.
3. The Backyard Excavator
Has your once pristine backyard suddenly transformed into a replica of the moon’s surface, complete with craters and tunnels? If your German Shepherd has taken up amateur archaeology, it’s likely they’re trying to burn off excess energy and alleviate boredom.
Digging is a natural behavior for dogs, but excessive digging often indicates a lack of proper exercise and mental stimulation. German Shepherds are intelligent and active dogs that need regular physical activity and mental challenges to stay happy and well-behaved.
Instead of letting them redesign your landscape, channel their energy into more appropriate activities like agility training, long walks, or fetch sessions.
4. The Midnight Marathoner
Does your German Shepherd turn into a nocturnal athlete, zooming around the house at 2 AM like they’re training for the Doggy Olympics? This behavior, often referred to as the “zoomies,” is normal to some extent, but frequent late-night energy bursts can indicate that your pup isn’t getting enough exercise during the day.
German Shepherds have high energy levels and require significant daily exercise to maintain a healthy sleep cycle. If they haven’t burned off enough energy during the day, they might become restless at night.
To help your nighttime ninja settle down, ensure they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation during daylight hours. A tired dog is a good dog, especially when it comes to bedtime!
5. The Leash-Pulling Locomotive
Does walking your German Shepherd feel more like water skiing behind a speedboat? If your pup is constantly pulling on the leash, nearly dislocating your shoulder in the process, it’s a sign they have pent-up energy that needs to be released.
German Shepherds are strong, athletic dogs that require regular exercise to stay balanced and well-behaved. When they don’t get enough physical activity, they may become overly excited during walks, making leash manners difficult to maintain.
To address this issue, try increasing the frequency and duration of your walks, incorporate running or cycling with your dog, and engage in off-leash activities in secure areas to help burn off that excess energy.
6. The Vocal Virtuoso
Has your German Shepherd suddenly developed a passion for canine opera, serenading the neighborhood with barks, howls, and whines? While some vocalization is normal for dogs, excessive noise can be a sign of frustration and pent-up energy.
German Shepherds are naturally protective and alert, which can lead to some barking. However, if your dog is constantly vocalizing without apparent reason, it may be their way of expressing boredom or a need for more activity.
To help your furry Pavarotti find a new hobby, increase their daily exercise, engage them in training sessions, and provide mentally stimulating toys and activities to keep them occupied and content.
7. The Canine Contortionist
Have you noticed your German Shepherd engaging in excessive licking, tail-chasing, or other repetitive behaviors? While some of these actions can be normal in small doses, obsessive repetitive behaviors often indicate that a dog is not getting enough physical and mental stimulation.
German Shepherds are intelligent dogs that need regular mental challenges to stay happy and balanced. When they don’t get enough exercise or mental stimulation, they may develop these repetitive behaviors as a way to self-soothe or alleviate boredom.
To help your pup break free from these habits, increase their daily exercise routine, engage them in training sessions or puzzle toys, and consider activities like nose work or agility training to keep their mind engaged.
8. The Weight Gain Woes
Has your once-svelte German Shepherd started to resemble a furry barrel with legs? While it’s easy to blame those puppy-dog eyes that convince you to share your snacks, weight gain in German Shepherds is often a sign of insufficient exercise.
German Shepherds are naturally athletic dogs that should maintain a lean, muscular build. When they don’t get enough exercise, they can quickly pack on the pounds, which can lead to various health issues.
To help your chunky companion get back in shape, gradually increase their daily exercise routine, incorporate more active playtime, and consult with your veterinarian about appropriate diet adjustments.
9. The Destructive Greeter
Does your German Shepherd greet you or visitors with the enthusiasm of a tornado, jumping, nipping, and possibly knocking people over in their excitement? While German Shepherds are known for their loyalty and affection, over-the-top greetings often indicate a lack of proper exercise and training.
When German Shepherds don’t get enough physical and mental stimulation, they may struggle to control their excitement when interacting with people. This pent-up energy can manifest as jumping, mouthing, or other undesirable behaviors.
To help your enthusiastic greeter develop better manners, ensure they get plenty of exercise before interactions, work on impulse control training, and teach alternative greeting behaviors like sitting calmly for attention.
10. The Attention-Seeking Antics
Has your German Shepherd developed a knack for mischief-making whenever you’re trying to focus on something else? If your dog is constantly bringing you toys, pawing at you, or engaging in naughty behavior to get your attention, it’s likely they’re not getting enough exercise and mental stimulation.
German Shepherds are intelligent and social dogs that thrive on interaction with their owners. When they don’t get enough physical activity and mental challenges, they may resort to attention-seeking behaviors to alleviate boredom.
To help your furry attention-seeker find more appropriate ways to interact, increase their daily exercise routine, engage them in regular training sessions, and provide plenty of interactive toys and puzzles to keep them occupied.
