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My fiancé and I brought home a 4/5 year old long haired girl 2 weeks from a shep rescue and are having some problems with her. She is a very sweet dog and seems to learn quickly, but she is extremely needy and has a lot of separation anxiety. She will follow either of us around the house like glue. She whines and howls when we come home because we ignore her for the first 5 minutes when we walk in and also don't pay any attention to her when she is whining or acting out. At night time she'll pace from one end of our bedroom to the other whining for someone to pet her or give her some attention. We tried crating her but that didn't work.

We have another 3 year old shepherd (that we've had for about a year) who we got a dog behaviorist for and he is very calm and relaxed. She doesn't appear to have been abused, but we really don't know the history on her and I think she may have been abandoned several times in her young life which is why she is so needy. We make her work for her attention (playing fetch, sitting, training) but I wanted to know if there is something else that we should be doing to ease her into her new home.

>>My fiancé and I brought home a 4/5 year old long haired girl 2 weeks from a shep rescue and are having some problems with her. She is a very sweet dog and seems to learn quickly, but she is extremely needy and has a lot of separation anxiety. She will follow either of us around the house like glue. She whines and howls when we come home because we ignore her for the first 5 minutes when we walk in and also don't pay any attention to her when she is whining or acting out. At night time she'll pace from one end of our bedroom to the other whining for someone to pet her or give her some attention. We tried crating her but that didn't work.
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>>We have another 3 year old shepherd (that we've had for about a year) who we got a dog behaviorist for and he is very calm and relaxed. She doesn't appear to have been abused, but we really don't know the history on her and I think she may have been abandoned several times in her young life which is why she is so needy. We make her work for her attention (playing fetch, sitting, training) but I wanted to know if there is something else that we should be doing to ease her into her new home.

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Training is life's blood to German Shepherds. It helps them figure out who they are and have pride and self respect and a sense of security. Get into a training class with her and keep the training going. Her insecurity is typical of a GSD who has lost a home. She needs time and a good structured life where she feels needed.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

I would also keep in mind you've only had her for two weeks. Most rescues take atleast a couple of months to be completely relaxed and feel secure in a new home..

Right now, I would be working on bonding with her (and following you from room to room is a very typical/normal gsd trait), I'd be doing whatever I could to make her feel more secure ..While you say "needy",,I'm seeing lack of self confidence and insecurity. Which in a way, will make her needy.

I'd be lavishing attention on her (and yes i would ignore her when you first come home if she's throwing a hissy)..When you leave, I would be giving her something great to gnaw on, leave a radio on..And yep, try a crate, most dogs find a crate their sancutary.

While I'm not saying you should encourage her "needy" behavior, just keep in mind, you don't know much of her past, you've only had her 2 weeks, and it takes awhile to build trust.

Good luck to you
diane

When the dog gives you attention give some back, it needs you now. Don't ignore it at this point, or maybe ever. You haven't had this dog very long. This dog is living in a strange world right now, it needs your attention. It needs comfort and security for quite some time. I also adopted a GSD, two years old. It took me five weeks just to get her in the house at night. I thought I was going to lose my mind. Six months later, she does'nt want to go out if I don't come with her. Just take your time and stay calm. Try not to over react. It will all work out.

Craig