I am posting this in this category as I'm not sure where else to.
My GSD is almost 2.5 yr old, and does something that has become very annoying and stressful.
Whenever I step into the yard, he takes off around the house barking like a nut at full speed, even if there is nothing in sight (usually that's the case). If I'm sitting on a chair outside and raise my head to look at something in the distance, he'll do that too. Same thing f I get up to to check out my flowers. Basically, I can't lift a finger outside without him reacting this way. He doesn't act that way for my husband, or not often. He can also act like this inside if he sees me look outside a window, or in the distance. In this case he'll just bark and become overly excited since he can't run around the house.
I have become stressed about it as I hate him being aggressive. I don't enjoy being in the yard for this reason.
I have no clue why he acts so, and wonder if anyone would and if there is anything I can do beside having him wear his e-collar and correcting him each time, which I haven't done yet.
Thanks for any comments/suggestions,
Aude

Hi Aude,

It doesn't sound like aggression. He's probably in need of exercise and thats his way of burning off excess energy. Try playing ball with him and let him burn it off. A tired dog is a happy dog.

Howard

The first question that came to my mind after reading your post was, like Howard and , is this dog getting enough exercise? I've read so many times, neurosis in dogs can develop from boredom and not enough exercise. As for not doing the neurotic stuff with your husband, I just a$$umed he doesn't do much training with the dog anyway ??? and thus, when the dog is with you in particular is where is gets drivey....??? Just a guess.

What is your exercise plan? Also, like Mike said, sometimes, just the attention thing first and foremost (throw ball, some tugs, whatever) might help in getting you on with your "quiet moments" or gardening, etc...

Interesting comments, and I'll start with the exercise and training one. Malik gets 3 to 4 walks a day, one of them at least an hour long with swimming most days. These days, he's not into afternoon walks because of the heat, but my husband takes him out around 7 pm again, for another 30 mn or so. I really can't say Malik doesn't get enough exercise! As far as training, my hb actually does ALL the training, and I would say that Malik listens to him much better than me, as he is consistent, firm and fair with the dog. However, I admit that in spite of exercise, he stays in the yard from about 1 until 7 pm and I interact little with him as I work (inside). So that could be a factor and I will make a point of taking a break every hour and go play with him even just 5 mn.
I think what resonates better for me is the attention part. I didn't think I ignored him when going out, but now I am in order to avoid him acting that way. I am going to try the treat/toy act, and see how that goes.
Thanks for making me think differently!
Aude

I don't know if I am reading this correctly, but I may have seen this before. I do know a dog that when you open the door to his yard he bolts, doing a perimiter search and bark, full speed. His real hope (and it happens so it is reinforced) is that he will come out running and then will see a cat or squirrel in the yard and he will already be at full speed when he sees it

It is fun times for this high drive dog! Now some dogs are a little extra brave/protective when thier owners are around. The dog could be just having fun with this thinking if you are coming out, he might as well check the yard to see if anything moves! Does he ever come around the corner and see a cat that will run from him when he does this? That would reinforce it. If you are often looking out the window when you see or hear someone, the dog may be cueing to that.

Does the dog stop the behavior once the yard is secure ?

I am with the others on how to stop it. What works with the dog I know is to distract the dog from this inital perimiter task. He will not do it if he knows you are taking him out for a walk or to play with him. Mostly he does it when he is bored or has pent up energy. Ask the dog for an ob command before and after going throught the door (or when you go outside) Make sure reward (food? toy?) is better than the chase. Maybe get the dog used to thinking it will get a toss or two of the toy when you go out?

Please totally disregard if I have misread the situation. Just reminded me of my sister's dog that does a similar sounding thing.

I actually spend some time with him this morning, went out and when he started, called him to me with treats, gave some ob commands for fun + reward, played freezbee a few times, went for a run with him, later for a mini bike ride... right now he's sleeping hard :-) and I will repeat the commands later this afternoon. I probably will have to repeat some of this everyday to distract him.
And yes, there is a cat next door... however, he will go around the yard 20 times if I step out 20 times.
Let's see how this progresses!

Aude, Maybe he's just announcing your presence. :-)

If it bothers you that much then put a lead on him to stop the running around. For some reason he feels like he has to do this ritual. Break the cycle by restricting this and give him something else to wrap his head around.

Howard

Hmmmm... just a guess, but since he typically does not do this with your husband, I wonder if he assigns himself guard-duty to protect you when the head of your household is off the premises -- Do you practice routine "groundwork" rules with this dog, so he realizes that you are in charge of taking care of HIM rather than vice versa?

Here's Ed's article on how to give your GSD the "big picture" <:-)

http://www.leerburg.com/groundwork.htm

(But if you already know all this, please disregard my advice!)