Hello! I'm wondering if this behavior is normal.... my one-year old male GSD has to be right next to me or my husband, wheverever we are and whatever we're doing! If we're in the living room on the sofa and the dog on his bed, and either my husband or I get up and go to the kitchen, he has to follow the moving person. When we sit back down, he'll come over and sniff us or lick us or stick his face in ours. It's annoying, so we've started working on the "enough" command. He gets it now, and will stop the sniffing and licking, then we praise him, then say "bed" or "down" and he'll go there. But usually, if we don't put him in a "stay," he'll pop back up again after a minute and come over again to make sure we still know he's there! We only allow him downstairs for now, but I would like to get to the point when he can be upstairs or downstairs, and my husband and I can move about freely without our dog either in the way or constantly with his nose you-know-where! (not amusing when I'm trying to fix dinner or empty the dishwasher!!)

Any suggestions or advice? Thank you!!

As far as the following you around, I have always found this to be endearing. Reminds me of my kids when they were toddlers. It is a sense of security thing with kids and I think this is the same kind of issue for young dogs too. However, I think there comes a point when they are "watching out for you". Remember GSD's are herders and bred to keep an eye on their flock. They are also very pack oriented and interested in what their "pack" members are up to. To me, this is totally normal. Not just with GSD's but with most young dogs. My dogs would be in the bathroom w/me if I let them. With some dogs this can be annoying. My lab is always right up my backside and I never can turn around w/o tripping over him. Drives me nuts! However, my gsd is always right w/me but off to the side sorta, so I never really feel him the annoyance the lab can sometimes be. LOL

As far as the "crotch sniffing" unfortuneatly this is the primary method for dogs communication. Dogs smell first, hear second and see last. Butt sniffing is an integral part of being a dog so a dog that belongs to your pack sees nothing wrong in a good "sniffing" upon greetings. It is up to you to allow this behavior. As a higher ranking pack member you can tell your dog what behavior you will or will not tolerate. (unless you have a lab like mine)I've been working on correcting this behavior in my rescue lab for years. (also his obsessive licking) He will practically lift you off the ground with his nose. It's very aggravating! However, my gsd and bc/x never have had this behavior because I was ready for it after being exposed to the lab and his sniffing habits.

Be patient and consistent and you will get the message across.

My 16 month old Lab is a velcro dog...has to be wherever I am. Will wake up from a sound sleep in order to follow me if I leave the room. It is endearing, but also kind of annoying when I'm moving from room to room.

We've made the kitchen off-limits when we're working or cooking. He can sit where he can see us but isn't allowed to enter and that's for his safety as well as ours.

Work on extending the length of his "stay" and don't allow him to break it until you release him.

I've also noticed my dog will be more of a pest when he hasn't had a good work-out. An extra walk or an extra play session can help.

 Quote: liz thomson

...But usually, if we don't put him in a "stay," he'll pop back up again after a minute and come over again to make sure we still know he's there!

So, if you put the dog in a "stay," and sit down on the couch, how long can the dog remember that? If you were to get up 5 minutes after the stay, would the dog stay? 15 minutes?

I think stay is an unneccisary command. If you tell the dog to sit/down/stand it should do whatever you tell it to do until the release command. That eliminates any confusion on the part of the dog. To me it is kind of like a teacher saying to a class, "Please start reading from page 150-152...Keep reading..." Why should you need to add this second, somewhat redundant command?

Discussion about "Stay."

Thanks for your responses! I was only worried because I had been told at one time that this might be a form of dominance, which I found hard to believe, but it was still a worry in the back of my mind. My dog doesn't show dominance in any other way, so it's nice to know that this is more likely attributable to pack/herding/protection/young dog behavior.

Robbin and Sarah, thank you for your input about your own dogs! The insightful comments about the pack nature of dogs and the herding and protective nature of GSDs in particular helps me put things into perspective. We will continue to be consistent in our commands and what behavior we will and will not allow :-)

And Rick, you bring up a really interesting point about the "stay" being redundent... I've often wondered about that, but thought "stay" should be used so as not to confuse the dog... but after reading more about it, it seems like we might be confusing him MORE by USING it! I think we'll start weaning off the "stay." It makes a lot of sense.

 Quote: rick miller

I think stay is an unneccisary command. If you tell the dog to sit/down/stand it should do whatever you tell it to do until the release command.
Discussion about "Stay."

Absolutely, stay means stay, down means down, heel means heel and so on.
I however feel that stay can be used in certain situations.

I use stay when I open crate and kennel doors to enter or I need to get into the crate to give water or remove a dish and I want the dog to "stay" in there. They have to learn that just because the doors open, does not mean they can exit or go through.
I also use it when the dog is walking and I do not want them to follow me or I want them to stop and wait for the next command.

My dogs follow me around everywhere.

I don't use a "stay" command but that's more because I have little experience training dogs and it seemed difficult to train. I was thrilled when I was told I didn't really need to teach that command

But I can see why it would be useful, especially in Carol's line of work.

My dog also follows me everywhere. He is young so I just assumed it relates to the young canines in a pack needing to stay near the adults and follow for survival. But that could be wrong.

Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong!

I started with saying sit, then stay, and down, then stay before I knew better , now am trying to get away from that. I still like stay for times I just want him to stop and stand still like Carol said. Coming out of the crate, the car, not going out the door, although "wait" will work too, until he is realeased. I also use stay to get him to stand still to take his pics, he is learning.

 Quote: Mike J Schoonbrood

My dogs follow me around everywhere.

Mine do as well, unless I tell them otherwise. The Dutch is the worst.....he is sound asleep right now and if I get up to walk into the kitchen, which is 10ft away, he will be right behind me.

I actually like that they follow me, because I know where they are at, however, I like to pee in private........