Behavior issues aren’t random. Discover the most common German Shepherd problems and simple solutions that actually work long term.
You bring home an adorable German Shepherd puppy with those oversized ears and clumsy paws. Fast forward six months, and you’ve got a 70-pound adolescent who thinks your couch is a chew toy and barks at literally everything that moves past your window. Sound familiar?
German Shepherds aren’t for the faint of heart. They’re incredible dogs, but they come with quirks that can test even experienced dog owners. The breed was developed to herd sheep and protect property, which means they’re hardwired with behaviors that don’t always translate well to suburban life. But here’s the thing: every single one of these behavior problems has a solution. You just need the right approach and a bit of patience.
1. Excessive Barking and Vocalization
Let’s start with the elephant in the room, or rather, the barking machine in your living room. German Shepherds are vocal dogs. They bark at strangers, they bark at squirrels, they bark at leaves blowing across the yard, and sometimes they bark at absolutely nothing you can perceive.
This isn’t random noise; it’s communication. GSDs were bred to alert shepherds to danger and keep predators away from flocks. Your dog is doing exactly what generations of breeding programmed them to do. The problem is that your neighbors don’t appreciate the 6 AM wake up call about the garbage truck.
Your German Shepherd isn’t being annoying when they bark constantly. They’re trying to do their job. The solution isn’t to stop them from working; it’s to redefine what their job actually is.
Why it happens: Boredom, anxiety, territorial behavior, or lack of proper training. Sometimes it’s a combination of all four. A German Shepherd left alone in a yard all day will bark. It’s virtually guaranteed.
How to solve it:
First, exercise is non-negotiable. A tired German Shepherd is a quiet German Shepherd. We’re talking serious exercise here, not a leisurely 10-minute stroll around the block. Think vigorous walks, running, fetch sessions, or agility training for at least 60 to 90 minutes daily.
Second, teach the “quiet” command. When your dog barks, acknowledge what they’re barking at (“Yes, I see the mailman, thank you”), then give the quiet command. Reward immediately when they stop, even if it’s just for a second. Gradually increase the duration of silence required before treats appear.
Third, address the root cause. Is your dog barking from boredom? Get puzzle toys and rotation schedules. Anxiety? Work on desensitization training. Territorial behavior? Create visual barriers so they can’t see every person walking past your house.
2. Destructive Chewing
Ah, yes. The Great Furniture Massacre of 2024. German Shepherds have powerful jaws and a natural inclination to use them. When that energy isn’t properly directed, your belongings become casualties of war.
Puppies chew because they’re teething and exploring the world. Adult German Shepherds chew because they’re anxious, bored, or because it feels really, really good. Unlike some breeds that grow out of the chewing phase, GSDs can remain enthusiastic chewers well into adulthood if the behavior isn’t managed.
| Age Range | Primary Chewing Trigger | Best Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 6 months | Teething discomfort | Frozen chew toys, appropriate teething items |
| 6 to 18 months | Adolescent energy and exploration | Heavy duty chew toys, increased exercise |
| 18 months+ | Boredom, anxiety, or habit | Mental stimulation, anxiety management, exercise |
How to solve it:
Prevention is your best friend. Puppy-proof your home like you would for a toddler. Keep valuable items out of reach, use baby gates, and supervise constantly during the chewing phase.
Provide appropriate outlets. Invest in quality chew toys designed for power chewers. Rotate toys to keep things interesting. Kong toys stuffed with frozen peanut butter or wet dog food can occupy a German Shepherd for impressive stretches of time.
Catch them in the act and redirect. If you find your dog chewing something forbidden, don’t yell (that’s just exciting). Calmly remove the item, replace it with an approved chew toy, and praise when they accept the substitute. Never punish after the fact; dogs don’t connect delayed consequences with past actions.
Increase mental stimulation. A mentally tired dog is less likely to seek entertainment through destruction. Training sessions, scent work, and puzzle feeders can exhaust that busy brain.
3. Separation Anxiety
German Shepherds bond intensely with their families. They’re velcro dogs who want to be involved in absolutely everything you do. While this loyalty is endearing, it can morph into genuine panic when you leave.
Dogs with separation anxiety don’t misbehave out of spite. They’re experiencing real distress. Signs include excessive barking or howling when alone, destructive behavior focused on exit points (doors and windows), pacing, panting, drooling, and sometimes even self-harm.
How to solve it:
Start with baby steps. Practice leaving for literally 30 seconds. Come back before your dog gets anxious. Gradually increase duration over weeks or even months. The key is that your dog never crosses the threshold into panic mode during training.
Create positive associations with your departure. Give a special treat or toy that only appears when you leave. Make your exits boring and your arrivals calm (ignore your dog for the first few minutes when you return, as hard as that is).
Establish a solid routine. Dogs find comfort in predictability. Feed, walk, and leave at consistent times when possible.
Separation anxiety isn’t cured overnight. It requires patience, consistency, and sometimes professional help. But your German Shepherd’s emotional wellbeing is worth the investment.
Consider crate training if done properly and positively. For some dogs, a crate becomes a safe den where they feel secure. For others, it increases panic. Know your individual dog.
For severe cases, consult a veterinary behaviorist. Medication combined with behavior modification can make a significant difference for dogs with clinical anxiety.
4. Jumping on People
A 90-pound German Shepherd launching themselves at you with unbridled enthusiasm is terrifying, even when it comes from a place of love. This behavior is super common in GSDs because they’re social, excitable dogs who want to greet you at face level.
Puppies jump because it’s cute and people reward it with attention. Then suddenly the puppy is 65 pounds, and nobody thinks it’s cute anymore. But the dog doesn’t understand why the rules changed.
How to solve it:
Consistency is everything. Every single person who interacts with your dog must enforce the same rule: Four paws on the floor gets attention; jumping gets ignored. If your aunt encourages jumping because she thinks it’s sweet, you’re fighting an uphill battle.
Turn your back and cross your arms when your dog jumps. No eye contact, no talking, no pushing them away (that’s interaction and therefore rewarding). Wait for all four paws on the ground, then immediately lavish praise and attention.
Teach an incompatible behavior. Train your German Shepherd to sit for greetings. A dog can’t simultaneously sit and jump. Practice this with everyone your dog meets. “Say hi” becomes synonymous with sitting politely.
Exercise before social situations. A dog who’s had a good run is less likely to explode with pent-up energy when visitors arrive.
Use a leash during greetings initially. This gives you control to prevent the jump while reinforcing the correct behavior. Step on the leash so there’s only enough length for your dog to stand or sit, but not jump.
5. Aggression Toward Other Dogs
German Shepherds can be territorial and protective, traits that served them well as guard dogs but can create friction at the dog park. Some GSDs are naturally social butterflies; others are selective about their canine friends.
Dog aggression often stems from fear, lack of socialization, or overly protective instincts. It can also develop from negative experiences during critical socialization periods (roughly 3 to 14 weeks of age).
How to solve it:
Early socialization is critical. Expose puppies to various dogs, people, environments, and situations during those crucial early weeks. Positive experiences during this window create confident, well-adjusted adults.
For adult dogs showing aggression, safety comes first. Use a muzzle if necessary during training. There’s zero shame in muzzle training; it protects everyone and allows your dog to continue learning.
Work on desensitization and counter-conditioning with a professional trainer experienced in aggression cases. This involves gradually exposing your dog to other dogs at a distance where they can remain calm, then rewarding calm behavior. Slowly decrease distance over many sessions.
Learn to read dog body language. Recognize stress signals before they escalate into aggression: stiff body, fixed stare, raised hackles, whale eye (showing the whites of eyes), and lip licking. Remove your dog from the situation before things get ugly.
| Aggression Type | Typical Triggers | Training Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Fear-based | Unfamiliar dogs, being cornered | Building confidence, positive associations |
| Territorial | Dogs near home/car | Redirecting protective instincts, impulse control |
| Leash reactivity | Dogs seen while on leash | Loose leash walking, focus on handler |
Never punish aggression. It might suppress the warning signs (growling) without addressing the underlying emotion, creating a dog who bites without warning.
6. Digging
Your backyard looks like a minefield, and your German Shepherd looks incredibly pleased with themselves. Digging is a natural, instinctive behavior. Dogs dig to create cool spots in summer, warm nests in winter, to bury treasures, to hunt burrowing animals, or simply because it’s wildly entertaining.
German Shepherds, with their strong work ethic and high energy, often dig because they’re under-stimulated. It’s a perfect outlet for excess energy and provides both physical exercise and mental satisfaction.
How to solve it:
Provide an acceptable digging zone. Designate a specific area (maybe a sandbox or corner of the yard) where digging is allowed. Bury toys and treats there to make it enticing. When you catch your dog digging elsewhere, redirect them to the approved spot and reward enthusiastically when they dig there.
Increase exercise and mental stimulation. Notice a theme yet? So many German Shepherd behavior problems circle back to this. If your dog is genuinely tired, they won’t have energy for excavation projects.
Make forbidden areas unappealing. Bury chicken wire just below the surface, place rocks in holes, or use motion-activated sprinklers. Some people swear by putting their dog’s own poop in the holes (dogs typically won’t dig where they’ve eliminated).
Supervise yard time. If you can’t watch your dog, they shouldn’t have unsupervised access to the yard. Simple as that.
Address temperature regulation. If your dog digs to cool down, provide shade and fresh water. Consider a kiddie pool or cooling mat during hot weather.
7. Mouthing and Nipping
German Shepherd puppies are basically land sharks with adorable faces. They explore the world with their mouths, and those needle-sharp puppy teeth can inflict surprising damage. While most dogs grow out of this, GSDs sometimes continue mouthing into adolescence if not properly trained.
This isn’t aggression; it’s communication and play. But it still needs to be addressed because an adult German Shepherd bite, even a playful one, can cause serious injury.
Teaching bite inhibition early is one of the most important things you can do for your German Shepherd. A dog who’s learned to control the pressure of their mouth is safer for everyone.
How to solve it:
Redirect, redirect, redirect. Keep toys accessible at all times. When your puppy mouths your hand, immediately replace it with a toy. Praise when they chew the appropriate item.
Use the “ouch” method. When your puppy bites too hard, let out a high-pitched yelp (mimicking how a littermate would respond) and immediately stop playing. Walk away for 30 seconds. Return and resume play. This teaches that biting ends fun.
Never play rough games that encourage mouthing. No tug-of-war where your dog’s teeth contact your hands, no wrestling matches. These games can reinforce the very behavior you’re trying to eliminate.
Ensure adequate socialization with other puppies. Puppy play groups teach bite inhibition naturally. Puppies learn that biting too hard ends playtime, a lesson they generalize to interactions with humans.
Tire them out. Overtired puppies get bitey and cranky, just like human toddlers. Make sure your pup gets enough sleep (puppies need 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day).
Be patient. Most German Shepherds naturally reduce mouthing behavior as they mature, usually by 6 to 9 months, if you’ve been consistent with training. If mouthing persists beyond a year or intensifies, consult a professional trainer to rule out underlying issues.
German Shepherds are extraordinary dogs capable of incredible things. Yes, they come with challenges, but those challenges are manageable with proper understanding, training, and commitment. Every behavior problem on this list has solutions that work when applied consistently and patiently. Your GSD isn’t broken or bad; they just need guidance to become the amazing companion you know they can be.
