My dog just started exhibiting some behaviors, notably loud whining and whimpering that ends up being high-pitched barks. Is this radical behavior change normal?

Hi Cindy,

You have provided some excellent training tips to me regarding my new GSD pup who is a year old by now. However, she just started exhibiting some behaviors, notably loud whining and whimpering that ends up being high-pitched barks at virtually anything that moves especially bikers, approaching dogs, and joggers. She just came into her first heat over the weekend (there is blood dripping every where) and I have absolutely no experience with a dog in heat. Is this radical behavior change normal?

And if so, how should I handle her? Should I make an about turn whenever she starts and when she catches up to me throw a big party for her? Or should I just stop the walk and wait until she be quiets? I tried both where the stop-and-wait seems to make her vocalize even more until whatever it is that is bothering her is gone. This vocalization also happens when my partner walks ahead of us, leaving me and the pup about 10-20 feet behind. With the about-turn method, I cannot seem to get her to stop looking back and vocalizing unless I go into a slight jog and whip out her Orbee-on-a-string. I know you told me that giving her a toy may be construed as reward for poor behavior, so I am hesitant to do this, but not sure what else to do (treats do not seem to work). She does wear a prong collar on walks, but when I did correct her for this, she was even louder.

Is this behavior due to her being in heat, or is it developing prey drive, or did I mess up on training somewhere?

Thanks again,
Jeffrey