First, this is my first time to ask a question so if I don't do it correctly please let me know.

I have a 7 1/2 month on female GS (spayed) who I have been told by a professional trainer she is crazy smart. Alot of energy, alot of ball drive, etc. When she was right at 6 mo's old she had to have an exploratory operation and they found she had a condition called Intus-su-sception. The vet said this was a rare situation but never gave us any specifics on what caused it or why it happen. Anyway, it seems since then when we let her out to go to the bathroom she goes over to her area and runs around and barks, barks, barks and then finally does her business. It doesn't seem like she is in any pain and all looks normal. We mentioned it to the vet on a follow up and he said after getting to know Sarah no telling what might be going through her mind. She will bark at the gate if she see's a dog or folks walking at the street but its a bark of she wants to play or have the person come pat her. She is really friendly and so far has showed no animal aggression after being able to smell the other animal. But she does bark until they can meet each other. I've tried using NO, quite and putting my hand on her muzzel but not very much success. So it may all be related she just likes to here herself bark. When we hike or go out to public places when she see's someone approaching she wants to run over and get patted. I put her in a sit, may have to correct her several times but she is barking, whinning to have them pat her. If they do then all is ok.

Guess that ought to be enough but I would like to say I appreciate this site and all that Ed does for the GS dog and to help educate people about the dog. I have his obeindence tape and his heeling tape and have watched them many times. So help and suggestions are more than welcome. I have had German Shepherds growing up and I have been the trainer on all of them but Sarah is a different dog than I have had in the past with such drive and energy.

telescoping intestine?

Never knew a dog or kid with this problem, and this seems like a better description than what I saw on the vet med sites... If she barks while she's having a bowel movement, I'd sure want to know that all of the obstruction/fold is fixed.

Like people, they vary widely in pain tolerance and expression. Our american-type gsd will scream over anything (even if she imagines she will get hurt! My working pup rarely makes noise when she's hurt, and she "forgets" pain as soon as it's over and there's something more interesting to do. She may blow off the pain as soon as it's over.

I suppose she could be wound up enough by previous pain to bark in anticipation of it, even if it doesn't happen.

Either way, I'd want to make darn sure she was OK inside. Our university hospital can do MRIs. etc.

The generalized barking is another issue, and you should do some reading, or have a dog-savy friend watch her with you and see why she's barking -- excitement, fear, whatever.

At 7.5 months she is still a puppy, I think you should start now letting her know what you deem as acceptable behaivor. Being a puppy complusion is out so I'd find what she likes her favorite toy, food or your praise. When she is barking in your presence distract her with her toy or whatever.

Get her attention and play with her with the toy, then sit her and pet/praise her for the quite sit. While in the sit repeat "Saraha, good quite, sit". She should be able to meet new things and fun people without trying to rush/control the situation.

You should be in control and relay that to her by your firmness and calmness.

Its acceptable to bark at some one opening the door to home, or entering into your yard.

But its not Ok to bark at strangers walking by in the park, or in the Pet stores (unless they get too close, TO YOU, IMO).

I forgot to mention that her stool maybe hard is the reason she barks when she poups. Try adding another brand of kibbles and a dab of vegetable oil or bacon oil to her dog food.