How to stop my dog's annoying habits?

My 9 month old German Shepherd has two annoying habits that I have no idea why he does or how to get his to stop and I’d love anyone’s advice on how to stop them or on what is going on. First off he has an itching problem. He will itch like crazy sometimes and then be fine. His underbelly is almost entirely one giant tickelish spot. I don’t think its an allergy and I know it isn’t fleas so I’m stumped.
His second issue is whining he just whines for no reason at all. He’ll be chewing on a bone and just get up and whine, going pee he’ll whine, even yawning he can whine. He knows he is doing it because when you look at him or snap your fingers he stops but I’d like to make the stop permanent except for when he wants to go outside or when he is injured not just because. Any ideas?

Answer #1

German Shepherds are notorius for allergies…food allergies, especially…try changing his food (gradually) to a food without corn, soy, wheat, or gluton…They sell a high quality food at Costco…Kirkland Lamb and Rice, for only $20.00 a bag. Also, fish oil tablets will make his coat and skin healthy…they’re cheap at Walmart…1000 mg’s a day…just toss the cap in his food. When my GSD itches, I let him for a second, then tell him to stop, and he does…so the itch is real, but the “tickles” keep him going…I don’t want him digging holes in himself.

GSD’s do “anxiety whining”…they are high activity dogs…I play with mine a total of 2 - 3 hours a day…split up in 45 minutes or so…He chases frisbees, tennis balls…follows me around our little farm and “helps” with chores. He still whines some, but not at all like when he had to stay down for a injured pasturn…THAT 2 weeks drove both he and I crazy!!

I’ve had German Shepherds for nearly 40 years…I love them…Start working at changing his food…give him plenty of mental and physical stimulation…and a lot (maybe not all), BUT MUCH of those irritating habits will disappear.

phrannie

Answer #2

EXCESSIVE ENERGY LEADS TO UNWANTED BEHAVIOUR.EXPECIALLY IN A HIGH ENERGY DOG LIKE A GERMAN SHEPARD. THEY NEED A WALK EVERY DAY 4 AT LEAST 45 MINUTES.

Answer #3

one more thing you say its annoying ? think how they feel, their dealing with these issues on a daily basis, please be a responsible animal owner PAY ATTENTION!!

Answer #4

Hello

a bath in benadine, some at the local “Farm and Tracker store does help skin problems.

Another thing to check is “Are you sure he in not scratching his ears or has an ear fungus, this is a problem dogs get a lot and it is a serious problem for them.

For sure get your dog to the Vet, something is going on here and he just can’t speak up and tell you what it is, so he is trying to tell you in the only way he can.

Answer #5

the itching im told is from flea bites the posion is already in its system take him to the vet let them give him an allergy shot they may help or like the vet says give them over the counter benedryll (not too much)1 mg per pound and stop feeding it anything with corn in it,look at the ingredients if corn is the first ingredient dont get it a lot of dogs are allergic and the whining puppy, has he been to a vet he may have something wrong internal, dont wait or it may be too late, learn to study your animals body language and sounds and looks, thats the only way they can tell us whats wrong when there is and if you are a true animal lover you will understand them good luck sweetie

Answer #6

Are you sure its not fleas? My mom is a vet and tons of people come saying that the dog has no fleas but actually they do have. If it really isn’t fleas it might be a new disease. There a a few dangerous unknown diseases lately but nobody has whining dog problems. Your dog might feel that he doesn’t have enough attention or something. I hope that helps. Check it out with the vet.

Answer #7

Have you tired giving him a bath? I am sure you have. That was most likely a dumb question.

I would take him to the Vet. There are many micro things that can be in a dogs fur and in their skin. My Boxer does this once a year when it turns spring and summer. I have to give him a bendryl. He could have cattle lice. There are a number of things he could have.

Another thing that is very common but most people forget to check is food. Many times food can cause skin allergies.

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