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GSD 10 months Barking out of the blue
I need a little advice… I am training with a 10 month old GSD for a service dog and he is still in tact but has just all of the sudden started barking when people clap or another dog comes close to him. No major life changes but has just started in the last week. I have tried redirecting, leave it, and now I just remove him from the situation. I am not sure how to correct it. Loud noises don’t usually bother him, he is very socialized. A little about his background, I got him when he was 12 weeks old from the breeder, went to a male veteran for a couple months then his health got bad and he gave him to a trainer that contacted me and asked me to find him another home with a veteran cause he has great potential. So I got with one of my female veterans who had been waiting for one and she went and picked him up. She has had him for a couple months now and they are bonded very well. He don’t leave her side and she takes him everywhere. She has 3 kids and they all get along great. His training has been spot on.. until now.
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8 Replies
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Hi Amanda!
Adolescent fear spikes are common – it’s not unusual at all, but everything depends on how it is handled. This pup has been through a lot of change in homes in his short life, and as you know GSDs are often “1-person” dogs… so right now he may be feeling very insecure about where he belongs and who he’s with. The best answer is to slow down expectations, keep in mind he’s still a teenager and set up lots of scenarios where he can have easy wins. The pressure of full public access is too much for him so back up and work with him at a speed he can handle. GSDs can be slow to mature so it may be another year or so before he is ready for public access. Be patient, work on nosework, parkour, agility to build confidence and the bond with his person, with only limited outings to work on triggers. Overwhelm at this tender stage could end his career. Instead, here are some tips:
- Absolutely NO PUNISHMENT should be used to “correct” his behavior. Punishment will make it worse, even if it seems to inhibit him at first.
- Maintain Calm Demeanor: When the dog exhibits fear (barking), avoid mirroring their anxiety. Remain calm and remove him from the trigger with a food lure, or at most, use gentle leash pressure to guide him behind a visual block like a car or a wall.
- Systematic Desensitization: There can be many steps to this, but essentially, reintroduce the trigger at a sub-threshold distance or intensity. Gradually decrease the distance/volume while the dog remains comfortable.
- Counterconditioning with High-Value Rewards: Pair the trigger with high-value treats (chicken, cheese) to create positive associations. Over time, the fear weakens, replaced by a happy anticipation of treats. Remember, consistency is key!
Best of luck and please do keep us posted!
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Thank you.. this gives me another perspective and allows me to change my training plan and refocus on his training.
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You’re welcome! I’ve seen teen GSDs come through this stage and SHINE at the end, so don’t give up on him, but also, let him lead the pace. Watch for signs of relaxation and confidence while you continue to build his skills. You should see steady progress over the next 6 months… if not, then you can reconsider whether being a service dog is still the career for him.
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Thank you again… I have trained GSD before including mine but never had this come up so it stumped me… I know all dogs are different and you are right he has been through a lot so it will take longer. I will keep working by and also keep the confidence of his veteran up and not discouraged.
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Of course; happy to help! Every dog teaches us if we only listen and embrace the learning. Good luck with this pup. Do keep us posted on his progress please. You are doing good work. 🙂
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Hi @Combatsmomma , this is a vulnerable time of adolescence (hormonal changes, continuing brain development) and things can get wonky for a while. Is it possible to create very easy-to-handle outings for this dog right now with lots of easy successes, positive experiences, and some solid protection from triggers? Skills training can continue in safe/easy settings, but some protective ‘wrapping’ for the dog may be a smart choice right now.
Here are some highly valuable words of wisdom from an expert, Dr. Kathy Murphy (a veterinary surgeon and neuroscientist), about the adolescent brain:
“1. The inhibitory neurons of the amygdala that help to dampen down emotional responses don’t fully mature until the END of adolescence.
2. Communication between the frontal cortex and amygdala, which is essential for skills training, decreases during adolescence.
3. Extinction memory is impaired during adolescence, so if your dog has a bad experience it’s much more likely to lead to a ‘hard wired’ fear memory.”
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Thank you so much this is very helpful!!
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Thank you this is great information
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