Some behaviors are early warnings. Spotting them quickly can prevent health issues and serious training setbacks.
German Shepherds are drama queens about some things (that squirrel in the yard?) and completely silent about others (like actual health problems). It’s almost like they read a manual on how to confuse their humans as much as possible.
But evolution gave these incredible dogs certain behaviors for a reason. When your GSD acts outside their normal patterns, their body is essentially sending up a flare. The trick is knowing which behaviors deserve immediate attention and which ones are just your dog being, well, a dog. Today we’re diving into five behaviors that should have you picking up the phone to call your vet.
1. Excessive Panting or Difficulty Breathing
Your German Shepherd just finished a solid play session in the yard, tongue lolling, chest heaving. Totally normal, right? But what if your GSD is panting heavily while lying on the couch in an air conditioned room? That’s a different story entirely.
Respiratory distress in German Shepherds can signal anything from bloat (more on that later) to heart issues to overheating. GSDs have a double coat that makes them particularly vulnerable to heat exhaustion, and their deep chests put them at risk for cardiovascular problems. Abnormal panting looks different from exercise panting: it’s often more shallow, more rapid, and accompanied by anxiety or restlessness.
When your GSD’s breathing becomes labored without an obvious cause, their body is working overtime to compensate for something that’s gone wrong. This isn’t the time to wait and see.
Watch for these specific signs: pale or blue gums, an extended neck while breathing, unwillingness to lie down, or panting that doesn’t decrease after rest and cooling down. If your dog seems to be working hard just to get air, you’re looking at a potential emergency.
The tricky part? Some GSDs pant when they’re stressed or anxious, which can be behavioral rather than medical. But here’s your rule of thumb: if the panting seems excessive for the situation, if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, or if your gut says something’s off, trust that instinct. Better to have a vet tell you everything’s fine than to miss something critical.
2. Sudden Lethargy or Weakness
GSDs are essentially furry perpetual motion machines. They want to patrol, play, work, and be involved in absolutely everything happening in their domain. So when your usually energetic shepherd suddenly acts like moving from the couch to their food bowl is a Herculean effort, pay attention.
Lethargy can indicate a shocking array of problems: infections, pain, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorders, or even poisoning. The key word here is sudden. Gradual slowing down as your dog ages is normal (though still worth monitoring). A dog who was bouncing around yesterday and can barely lift their head today? That’s a veterinary emergency waiting to happen.
German Shepherds are particularly prone to certain conditions that present with weakness. Degenerative myelopathy, a progressive disease affecting the spinal cord, often starts with subtle weakness in the hind legs. Bloat, one of the most dangerous conditions for deep chested breeds like GSDs, can cause sudden, extreme lethargy along with other symptoms.
Here’s what to watch for:
| Normal Tiredness | Concerning Lethargy |
|---|---|
| Responds to exciting stimuli (doorbell, treats, leash) | Barely reacts to normally exciting things |
| Recovers after rest | Doesn’t improve with rest |
| Still eats and drinks normally | Refuses food or water |
| Alert eyes and expression | Dull, glazed, or unfocused eyes |
| Normal gum color (pink) | Pale, white, or blue gums |
Trust your knowledge of your dog’s baseline energy level. You know when something’s off. If your GSD seems “not right” in a way you can’t quite articulate, that’s enough reason to seek veterinary attention.
3. Restlessness, Pacing, or Signs of Abdominal Discomfort
Picture this: your GSD can’t seem to get comfortable. They pace from room to room, lie down for thirty seconds, get up, try a different spot, repeat. They might whine, look at their sides, or assume a “prayer position” with their front end down and rear end up. This isn’t your dog being difficult. This is your dog in serious trouble.
This constellation of behaviors screams bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus, or GDV) until proven otherwise. Bloat is a life threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and potentially twists on itself, cutting off blood supply. German Shepherds, with their deep chests, are at elevated risk. Without immediate treatment, bloat can kill a dog within hours.
Bloat doesn’t wait for convenient timing. It often strikes at night or on weekends, and every minute counts. If you even suspect bloat, you need to be driving to an emergency vet, not googling symptoms.
Beyond bloat, this restless behavior can also indicate other forms of abdominal pain: intestinal blockages, pancreatitis, or internal injuries. GSDs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t (anyone else’s shepherd swallow a sock whole?), which can lead to dangerous obstructions.
Key signs to watch for include a swollen or hard abdomen, unproductive attempts to vomit (retching but nothing comes up), excessive drooling, rapid heartbeat, and weakness. If you notice these symptoms, especially in combination, you’re in emergency territory.
Prevention matters too. Feed multiple smaller meals instead of one large meal, avoid vigorous exercise right after eating, and consider a slow feeder bowl if your GSD inhales their food like they’re competing in a speed eating contest.
4. Limping or Obvious Pain When Moving
GSDs are athletes. They’re built to run, jump, work, and move with grace and power. So when your shepherd suddenly starts limping, favoring a leg, or showing obvious discomfort during movement, it’s not something to shrug off with “let’s give it a few days.”
Sure, sometimes a dog steps wrong or pulls something minor. But German Shepherds are also genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and various orthopedic issues. What starts as a mild limp can be the first visible sign of a degenerative joint condition that will benefit enormously from early intervention.
Early treatment matters. Caught early, many orthopedic issues can be managed with weight control, appropriate exercise modifications, physical therapy, supplements, or medications that significantly improve quality of life. Wait too long, and you’re looking at more invasive interventions or irreversible damage.
Watch for these subtle signs your GSD is in pain:
- Difficulty rising from a lying position, especially after rest
- Reluctance to use stairs or jump into the car
- Bunny hopping when running
- Shifting weight off one leg while standing
- Licking or chewing at a particular joint
- Decreased interest in activities they usually love
Here’s something many people don’t realize: dogs hide pain really well. By the time your GSD is showing obvious limping, they’re likely experiencing significant discomfort. The stoic nature that makes German Shepherds such incredible working dogs also means they’ll push through pain that would have other breeds complaining loudly.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking “they’re not crying, so it must not hurt that much.” GSDs have an absurdly high pain tolerance. They need you to be their advocate and recognize the signs they’re too tough to dramatically display.
5. Changes in Eating or Drinking Habits
Your German Shepherd has always had a healthy appetite. They do their happy dance when you reach for the food bag, they clean their bowl in approximately three seconds, and they give you those soulful eyes suggesting they’ve never been fed in their entire lives. Then one day, they turn their nose up at dinner. Red flag.
Loss of appetite in dogs who normally eat enthusiastically is a significant warning sign. It can indicate anything from dental pain (GSDs can develop serious tooth and gum issues) to gastrointestinal problems to systemic illness. Unlike humans who might skip a meal because we’re “not in the mood,” dogs generally don’t do that. Food is life for most GSDs.
Equally concerning is the opposite problem: suddenly increased thirst and urination. If you’re filling the water bowl multiple times a day when you used to fill it once, or if your previously housetrained dog is having accidents, this can signal diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing’s disease, or other serious metabolic conditions.
| Eating/Drinking Changes | Possible Causes | When to Act |
|---|---|---|
| Refusing food for 24+ hours | Gastrointestinal issues, pain, systemic illness | Same day vet appointment |
| Drinking excessively | Diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing’s | Within 48 hours |
| Eating non-food items (pica) | Nutritional deficiency, GI issues, behavioral | Within one week |
| Drooling while not eating | Nausea, dental pain, foreign object | Same day or emergency |
Pay attention to how your dog eats too. Are they dropping food? Chewing on only one side? Taking food to another room? These can all indicate dental pain or oral issues that need addressing. German Shepherds can develop painful tooth root abscesses or broken teeth that make eating uncomfortable.
The bottom line: any significant change in eating or drinking patterns deserves veterinary attention. These are often the first clues that something’s wrong internally, giving you a window to catch problems early when they’re most treatable.
Remember: You know your German Shepherd better than anyone. You see them every day, you know their quirks, their normal patterns, their baseline behavior. When something feels off, even if you can’t articulate exactly what it is, that instinct is valuable. GSDs are masters at hiding discomfort, which means small behavior changes can signal big problems. Stay observant, trust your gut, and never hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian when something seems wrong. Your dog is counting on you to notice what they’re too stoic to show.
