We have a Female GSD pup that is 10 months old. We have had her since she was 3 months old. She is from a reputable breeder with excellent bloodlines. We recently had to put her in a boarding kennel ( no one we knew could watch her for us) for a week while we had a family emergency to take care of out of town. When we got back our Lexxi was acting funny. She cowers and pees whenever anyone comes near her. This is not the Lexxi we knew before we left. She was a bit aggressive and loved to play and very outgoing and friendly. The boarding kennel said she was like that the whole time but I think someone beat her or something bad happened to her there. Am I right to think this? Is she ruined? My daughter is planning on trying to show her for 4H. We have been very good about not acting like it's a big deal that she is peeing all over. Suggestions? We took her to vet and nothing is wrong with her physically. Any input would be helpful.

It sounds like the people at the boarding kennel didn't treat her right at all. I have boarded my GSD and my Lab on 2 different occassions and have NEVER had either of them act the way you're talking about.

You may want to ask the people at the kennel more questions about how they run it. She might have been attacked by another dog, or maybe someone did do something to her (yelled at her or physically hurt her-but if the vet didn't find anything wrong with her physically, then that rules out physical. Did you know much about the facility before you had to board her? I'd ask around and see if there's anyone that knows the history and reputation of the place. Whatever happened wasn't good, because your dog isn't the same as beforehand.

I don't think your dog is ruined.

You're going to have to put some work into getting her back to normal-it is possible, but it'll take time. How much time is up to you. Alot of praise for anything she does good. When you approach her, how are you approaching her? Is it a specific time you approach her and she does this?

I would be pretty pissed if I got my dog back and it didn't act right. I would raise hell with the facility for sure. JMHO

Another forum member, Cameron Feathers, had a bad boarding experience a bit different than yours but with a similar result...her dog came back acting different. In her case, the facility had tapes so she was able to see some of what went on.

As I recall she did a lot of work with her dog and was able to undo some, if not all, of the damage that was done.

I'll see if I can find the post for you.

This is probably not it, given the timing, but I'm just throwing it out there - if she's 10 months old, could it be one of the puppy fear stages? Would they revert to things like urination? I doubt it is a fear stage, given the timing, but just trying to brainstorm.

Here's Cameron's original post:

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/195080/page/0/fpart/1

She got some very good advice, which you may find helpful.

And she posted an update later on:

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=195623

I just read that full thread of Cameron's problem... holy sh*t! I would've raised hell big time. Too funny that she was offered to show OB and proper handling to the staff. lol

Hopefully everything ends up alright with your dog Julie.

All the advice given here is fantastic.

Just to cover all bases, I would have the dog in for a vet checkup.
The dog may have picked something up (or eaten something) at the kennel, and may be feeling lousy.

My apologies. I missed that you had already taken the pup to the vet.

All of the advice given has been great. I checked with the boarding kennel again. This time the owner said one of the staff may have gotten aggressive with Lex because she climbed out of the run... she has always been quite the escape artist. I asked him to elaborate on getting " aggressive" with my dog and he just went on to state the person no longer worked there blah, blah, blah. I'm sure she got hit and I was quite P. O'd my husband had to drag me out of there as I was thinking about getting " aggressive" with that idiot. That is the last time I ever take my dog to a boarding kennel. I don't care how great they say they are or how many references they have. Lex is still laying down her ears and peeing when anyone comes near her but I got her to play today. She has always had a serious prey drive. We played with her ball and ran all over the house. The link to the other post was really uplifting as that dog has come around. I hope Lex does too.

GGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! I feel for you and Lex. You are rightfully very angry, guilty (which you shouldn't be) and dealing with a recent family emergency (I hoped it turned out ok). As hard as it is; put it all behind you when dealing with Lex.

Do not let it color how you are reacting to this recent behavior....I know.....easier said than done but guilty, angry and anxious does not translate to strong leader. And she needs that right now. Ignore what you don't want and throw a party for all appropriate behavior. Have you done any marker training with her? If not; now is a great time to start, there is nothing quite like the exuberance of an adolescent GSD

If so; go back to basics make it easy for lots of successes and confidence building for both of you

Also, I'd love to see a picture of your girl!