Hello Forum,

I've been having a problem with my GSD for some time now and have finally concluded that I don't know how to help him and am reaching out to anyone who may be able to assist me. My male, intact GSD (2.5 Y.O.)seemingly has an issue with anxiety. Mainly at night, he'll start to get anxious and start pacing the room. He'll "walk the walls" from corner to corner, looking up, looking at the wall, looking sideways, whatever. He'll be pacing, tongue out, drooling, whining, etc. He will literally do this until he wears himself out which could be hours (I'm not joking). It's almost like he's chasing light or shadows but even when the lights are off he'll do this.

I've tried ignoring him to see if it'll just pass. I've tried breaking his attention by moving to a different part of the house for a few minutes, then coming back to see if he'll start up again (which he almost always does). I've tried giving him new toys or something to occupy his mind, but he seems to want to pace more than play. In a normal situation, when I call his name, he focuses on me. When he's in this trance, it takes more than me calling his name to get his attention. Even if I do get his attention, he'll just come to me for a second, whine, and carry on with his pacing and drooling, etc.

It's been a bad Winter here in Chicago and I know I haven't been giving him the kind of "hard" exercise he needs like I do in the nice months, but there's got to be some kind of solution to this. I work with him as I can outdoors, but mainly this time of year it's inside with very basic stuff like sits, downs, stays,etc. He is very well trained, very smart and VERY high energy. He's the kind of dog that normally is go-go-go, but the pacing thing is really sad to watch. I should also point out that this doesn't just happen in the cold months where he's indoors mostly, this is a year round habit.

Should I crate him during these "severe" episodes until they subside? Will one of those treat dispensers that makes a dog work for his treats help ease his mind? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hope I wasn't rambling on, thank you.

Is the behavior present during the times he gets more exercise?

Has he always done this or did it begin suddenly?

Does he ever do this during the daytime or only at night?

Hi Barbara,

He has been doing this for quite some time now (at least a year), but has been getting worse in my opinion lately. He's always been an "anxious" dog, always wanting to do be on the move. He is a VERY HIGH DRIVE dog. Always has a ball in his mouth, etc. I don't know if that's part of this behavior or what but it seems possible I guess. It does seem that this happens more at night than at any other time. As for exercise, if I work him until he's near death (not actually of course), he may be good for a while, but I would bet on him getting anxious and pacing before the day ends.

Is there a way you can change your routine in the evenings?
I would try giving him a late night walk and or do something to drain his energy. I know it is hard when it is so cold and you just got that big storm/snow.
But I would do something to change it up and try to get him out of his normal routine.

Once he has been allowed to get his energy drain, I would make his bed nice and cozy in his crate and put him in there for the night and see how that went.

Do you have any ideas what could be causing his anxiety?
I have a male that will get like this from time to time.
But I know what his triggers are.

I would want to see if the routine change will work, and if not, then I would be tempted to want to find a behaviorist and get a consultation. I wouldn't want to allow this behavior to continue and I think it would be a good thing to get to the bottom of this sooner rather than later.

I really feel for you, and I know it can really be hard on the dog. I wish I had more answers for you.
I hope you can figure this out soon. Let us know how he is doing and if anything works for him.

Hi Joyce,

Believe me I've already tried to drain his energy, but the problem is it is an endless battle. He's never tired, never "off" and always has to be doing something. I will start taking him on early morning walks and late night walks to see if that helps this, but I'm not very confident. I feel bad for him more than anything. I just wish I knew what the problem was.

I feel for you. I think I would consider getting a consultation from a qualified behaviorist to look into the matter.

It sounds like you have really tried to everything you can and it by the sounds of it, it is getting worse.
Maybe someone on the board has some more ideas. But just in case, I would start looking around to look into what resources are available to you for the behaviorist.

 Quote: Will Grzybowski

I work with him as I can outdoors, but mainly this time of year it's inside with very basic stuff like sits, downs, stays,etc. He is very well trained, very smart and VERY high energy.

For a high energy, high drive, only working on very basic obedience inside is probably driving him a bit nuts. I'd ask that we don't rule out real exercise as at least a partial solution until it it reintroduced on a daily, regular schedule.

Just tiring him out one day isn't going to be helpful, imho. This dog needs a regular, dependable means to drain his energy, keep his mind occupied, etc... Even the inside work could be mentally stimulating (scent detection, finding hidden objects, etc...) but it won't take the place of getting this guy outside and moving. I'd recommend introducing a fun, challenging training schedule and start getting this guy mentally and physically active again. (Are you familiar with marker training?)

Will, this isnt' going to be solved overnight, but not doing anything significant exercise-wise for a high energy/high drive dog, is really not healthy for him. JMHO.

 Quote: will grzybowski

Hi Joyce,

Believe me I've already tried to drain his energy, but the problem is it is an endless battle. He's never tired, never "off" and always has to be doing something. I will start taking him on early morning walks and late night walks to see if that helps this, but I'm not very confident. I feel bad for him more than anything. I just wish I knew what the problem was.

Walking this type of dog is great for starters, but if he isn't given the opportunity to REALLY GET TIRED every day, tongue hanging out, ready-to-crash-for-a-nap tired on a regular basis, the stressed out behavior isn't going to change one bit.

You have an "athlete" living in your home Will.

^^^ Agree with Barbara 110%

This dog needs mental work. You can't really tire them out physically - you just build endurance. But you can work that brain giving him plenty to think about mentally which will help satisfy him and help him to settle.

Nose work, object discrimination, even training stupid pet tricks will give him something to do with his brain and will help him to settle as much or more than lots of exercise will. Yes, the physical exercise is very important, but it just isn't enough for intelligent, high drive dogs.

I would work on implementing a new schedule with a fair amount of exercise, but also several indoor training sessions each day where he is learning new behaviors. After he's had both a good physical and mental workout, I'd crate him with something to chew on or a stuffed frozen kong to help break the pacing cycle - that type of frustrated pacing doesn't put him in a good mental place and it feeds itself.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I do agree that walking is just the absolute least that should be done. Honestly, it's just to get him out of the house, it does nothing for his energy level or mental stim, as you've stated.

I do not have any experience with marker training, but will research and see if I can utilize this to ease his pacing. Also, I will figure out how to exercise, train and stimulate his brain during these indoor months and see if all of this helps him.

I know he hates these months just as much as I do and I can't wait for Spring, but in the meantime, we do need to get him satisified with his day to day life this time of year so he's not driving himself crazy.

I appreciate all your input.