So, everyday I come home from work and my GSD FREAKS OUT!!! Crying, whining, jumping, pawing. I've tried what everyone said about ignoring it, turned my back, he jumps on my back, squeeze his paws, he puts them right back up without tiring. How do I get this dog to chill the heck out? The paw thing is driving me bananas and no I never teach my dogs to shake!

It sounds like you're still having the same issues from this thread of a couple months ago.

http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=34240&page=1

So no improvement at all? How old is he now? Maybe you've mentioned it before, but can you refresh our memories on what he does while you're at work and how long a period that is? Is anyone else home? Is he crated that whole time?

Ok, so when we are away, he is kenneled and goes very well to his "place" My husband is in and out all week long as he works close and comes home at least twice a day before I get home. He and Bella are out playing when he is home and at the end of the day my daughter gets home and lets them out. I leave around 545 and dont get home till around 400. Drogo only reacts this way with me, no one else. I do believe he is showing how much he loves and misses me but dang!! Excercise is plentiful, he isnt pent up for more than 4 hours at the max on any given day. The pawing he does to everyone, he sits in front of us and puts his paw up. I'm opposed to teaching a dog to shake for this very reason, this is his own thing, no teaching of the behaviour in any way shape or form. Literally loses his mind when I get home, whines, jumps on the front, turn my back to ignore jumps on my back. Heaven help me when Bella wants attention too because then he escalates even more attempting to oust her from the mix. He will even sit still with one paw, slightly raised off of the ground even when he isn't excited. Ugh! Hard headed, I've even tried squeezing his paws to discourage, doesnt do a thing. He would be a great dog for police because a perp could punch him in the face and he would keep coming back as if he never felt a thing. I'm at a loss how to work this. I've tried sit, with a treat but was told that is rewarding him for bad behaviour, I've even tried leaving him in the kennel for about 20 minutes after I've come home so he has a chance to get used to the idea that I'm home....HELP ME!!! LOL

Ok, so when we are away, he is kenneled and goes very well to his "place" My husband is in and out all week long as he works close and comes home at least twice a day before I get home. He and Bella are out playing when he is home and at the end of the day my daughter gets home and lets them out. I leave around 545 and dont get home till around 400. Drogo only reacts this way with me, no one else. I do believe he is showing how much he loves and misses me but dang!! Excercise is plentiful, he isnt pent up for more than 4 hours at the max on any given day. The pawing he does to everyone, he sits in front of us and puts his paw up. I'm opposed to teaching a dog to shake for this very reason, this is his own thing, no teaching of the behaviour in any way shape or form. Literally loses his mind when I get home, whines, jumps on the front, turn my back to ignore jumps on my back. Heaven help me when Bella wants attention too because then he escalates even more attempting to oust her from the mix. He will even sit still with one paw, slightly raised off of the ground even when he isn't excited. Ugh! Hard headed, I've even tried squeezing his paws to discourage, doesnt do a thing. He would be a great dog for police because a perp could punch him in the face and he would keep coming back as if he never felt a thing. I'm at a loss how to work this. I've tried sit, with a treat but was told that is rewarding him for bad behaviour, I've even tried leaving him in the kennel for about 20 minutes after I've come home so he has a chance to get used to the idea that I'm home....HELP ME!!! LOL

"I've tried sit, with a treat but was told that is rewarding him for bad behaviour, "
Honestly, I would do this IF it prevents the jumping and pawing behavior. It's rewarding PROPER behavior when he sits instead of jumping. Eventually, you fade the reward.

A couple of questions for clarification. I would really like to know how old Drogo is. He's still kind of a pup, right?

The word "kennel" means different things to different people (and in different parts of the country, I think). Are you talking about a crate of some type, indoors, or something like an outdoor space that is fenced in with a dog house? And where is he in relation to the other dogs during the day? Can they see each other?

You say your husband plays with "Bella" when he comes home during the day, but does he (or your daughter) play with Drogo during the time you are away? I mean something besides just being let out to go potty. Any actual play and/or training sessions that might burn up some energy for at least twenty minutes or so?

I'm not sure why you would be told that rewarding him for sitting is rewarding him for bad behavior. What you are trying to teach him is to keep all four feet on the floor. So ask him for a sit, down, or any other command that involves him keeping his feet off you. When he has four on the floor and is relatively calm, he gets a mark and reward. From there, I would work on duration, asking him to remain still for a little longer time before he gets the reward. Just seconds at first, then gradually build up the time.

Forget the paw-squeezing. Like you said, it's not working. I agree that it sounds like he is very excited to see you and desperately wants your attention. But I would be working on teaching him that good things happen only when he has his feet off you and listens to what you ask of him, and he gets no response at all, no gratification, no fun, for pawing at you.

"I'm not sure why you would be told that rewarding him for sitting is rewarding him for bad behavior. What you are trying to teach him is to keep all four feet on the floor."

True---unless the dog is initiating the interaction. If the dog jumps up and every time he does so it produces the response "sit-treat"--then the dog is still demanding and getting the attention he wants. I don't think he will automatically disconnect the jumping up from the rest of the interaction.

"I've even tried leaving him in the kennel for about 20 minutes after I've come home so he has a chance to get used to the idea that I'm home"

I'd continue down this path until it shows results.

His pattern of behavior is now several months ingrained. It will not be fixed in less time. As discussed in your earlier thread about this, it is NORMAL for a behavior to ESCALATE when you are trying to extinguish it. Translation: it will get worse before it gets better. But that means you have to keep it up. It also means it's working. Don't keep trying something new because you aren't seeing results fast enough.

A behavior that is not rewarded WILL go away. Really. The "reward" for this attention-seeking behavior is the attention itself--any kind of attention. Saying "no" is attention. Looking at the dog is attention. Hollering at him is attention. Engaging him in a different game is attention. The only way to make him stop this is to withdraw any form of attention when he demands it.

Easier said than done, I know. That's why leaving him in the crate for 20 minutes (or as long as it takes) may be the easiest solution for you. If you're sure he doesn't have an about-to-burst bladder, leave him in the crate when you come home (every time). Don't speak to him. Don't look at him. Don't react when he throws a fit. He will, eventually, shut up and settle down. THEN you can go to the crate and very calmly let him out. If he tries to jump up or paw at you--poof--he becomes invisible again. Walk away.

He only gets attention when he is behaving the way you want--calmly, with all feet on the floor.

Look at it this way: This dog has proven to you that he so wants your attention that he will do anything to get it. He does not yet know what action on his part will consistently get it. He's doing what works for him. It's up to you to show him--as clearly as you can--what works and what doesn't. Dogs don't continue doing anything that isn't in their best interest.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

You say your husband plays with "Bella" when he comes home during the day, but does he (or your daughter) play with Drogo during the time you are away?

Cheri, I took her to mean that "DROGO plays with Bella" while all the humans are away (???)...

 Quote: RobbinMann

He and Bella are out playing when he is home...

OK, so now I read this to mean that "DROGO and Bella are out playing when The Husband is home", LOL (???)

 Quote: Tracy Collins

"I'm not sure why you would be told that rewarding him for sitting is rewarding him for bad behavior. What you are trying to teach him is to keep all four feet on the floor."

True---unless the dog is initiating the interaction. If the dog jumps up and every time he does so it produces the response "sit-treat"--then the dog is still demanding and getting the attention he wants. I don't think he will automatically disconnect the jumping up from the rest of the interaction.

"I've even tried leaving him in the kennel for about 20 minutes after I've come home so he has a chance to get used to the idea that I'm home"

I'd continue down this path until it shows results.

His pattern of behavior is now several months ingrained. It will not be fixed in less time. As discussed in your earlier thread about this, it is NORMAL for a behavior to ESCALATE when you are trying to extinguish it. Translation: it will get worse before it gets better. But that means you have to keep it up. It also means it's working. Don't keep trying something new because you aren't seeing results fast enough.

A behavior that is not rewarded WILL go away. Really. The "reward" for this attention-seeking behavior is the attention itself--any kind of attention. Saying "no" is attention. Looking at the dog is attention. Hollering at him is attention. Engaging him in a different game is attention. The only way to make him stop this is to withdraw any form of attention when he demands it.

Easier said than done, I know. That's why leaving him in the crate for 20 minutes (or as long as it takes) may be the easiest solution for you. If you're sure he doesn't have an about-to-burst bladder, leave him in the crate when you come home (every time). Don't speak to him. Don't look at him. Don't react when he throws a fit. He will, eventually, shut up and settle down. THEN you can go to the crate and very calmly let him out. If he tries to jump up or paw at you--poof--he becomes invisible again. Walk away.

He only gets attention when he is behaving the way you want--calmly, with all feet on the floor.

Look at it this way: This dog has proven to you that he so wants your attention that he will do anything to get it. He does not yet know what action on his part will consistently get it. He's doing what works for him. It's up to you to show him--as clearly as you can--what works and what doesn't. Dogs don't continue doing anything that isn't in their best interest.

I sure hope this post doesn't get overlooked.

"He only gets attention when he is behaving the way you want--calmly, with all feet on the floor. "

NO attention .... and that includes negative attention.

You haven't been consistent with this, and what that shows the dog is that if he REALLY REALLY REALLY acts up, you will eventually give him attention. Now there will be an even greater period of escalation ("His pattern of behavior is now several months ingrained. It will not be fixed in less time. As discussed in your earlier thread about this, it is NORMAL for a behavior to ESCALATE when you are trying to extinguish it. Translation: it will get worse before it gets better. But that means you have to keep it up. It also means it's working. Don't keep trying something new because you aren't seeing results fast enough. ")