MissEris, I agree with Tang— it’s very important that you keep your son safe. Of course you feel sorry for the dog. Anyone would. I don’t know the dog, but from what you are describing, it sounds uncomfortable at the least to me, and possibly dangerous.

Circling, barking at nothing, random lunging: these are all classic anxiety behaviours, but anxiety can have any number of causes, from plain boredom to pain to disease to whatever. How often, and for how long, is she getting walked? Does she have toys or any way to let off steam? A 3 year old GSD needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation, and not getting it could easily cause her to go stir-crazy just like any normal animal. German Shepherds are also prone to a number of illnesses (pretty much all of the ones that normally affect dogs) so a vet visit is well in order, if it might be pain that is causing her distress. She should have her eyes checked (detached retina is a thing; it is extremely painful) and her hips looked over; she should have bloods done, testing for thyroid and glucose abnormalities, teeth checked, and a general checkup.

Whatever is the matter, this situation could easily escalate. You don’t want a snap turning into a bite, especially not with your little son. I bet your roommate feels the same.

Maybe you could show this thread to your roommate? Your concerns are perfectly valid and I’m sure everyone here wants a good solution.

EXCELLENT post and summing up by Strangechilde there.

Completely agree, chasing his tail is just a way to get some interest into his life. Humans need to understand that dogs (especially a breed like a GSD) need exercise, both physical and mental, they need a job or task they can get their teeth into (Pun intended)

Owning a dog is not like owning a car, it doesn't just sit there until you put the key in the ignition, the humans associated with dogs need to think about keeping the dog in a good mental state, just like a toddler.

Today she got a 15 minute walk, and has spent the rest of the day with her owner gone, or shut off in a separate room.
I AM nervous about having my baby interact with her. When she's left here or unattended I'll likely have to put her in the backyard until they have time for her. She seems to get more stimulation out there chasing squirrels and barking at the neighbors dog anyhow.

I tried taking her on a walk, and never again. She's a strong animal, and pulls WAY to hard for me. Not to mention that I have a baby (the main reason I'm so out of shape right now).

I just tried to talk to him about this, and was told that she just needs to be forced to stop circling when she does it. He doesn't seem to understand how constant this is, or that it's worsening, since he isn't here to see it. I also think this is his first dog.

I'm also getting the impression that a vet can't (or won't?) be paid for.

THANK YOU! I've started to think this same thing, and wasn't sure if I was being too paranoid.

Yes, it looks like anytime the dog is left here with me freaking out, I'll have to put her in the backyard. She seems happier out there anyhow barking at the dog next door nonstop and chasing squirrels.
It's all I can do. I have a baby to care for, and no dog experience.

Hi MissEris, your latest post explains it all for me, this poor girl is totally bored out of her skull. Perhaps you could suggest to him, that when he gets home at night he ought to take her out for a proper walk where she can get a good run about, if only with a ball in the park. Afterall, he committed himself when he got this dog, and he should have been advised that she needs at least an hour's good exercise every, single day to keep her stable, not just a trip down the road to do her business.

This is not a breed you can do this with, nor can you just shut them in a room, they'll go stir crazy, so no wonder she is exhibiting such behaviour.

Do you know where he got this dog from at all? If it was a rescue centre, you could ring them up and explain what's going on, they will either be horrified, or send somebody around to give him a good talking to and explain why this is the wrong dog in the wrong hands, or get him to understand what she needs.

I know your main concern is your son, but I think you are doing an admirable job in even trying to sort this out, and asking for advice on here or anywhere else you might have put it up.

Temporarily, your idea of putting her outside is a good one, but sadly, this is how a lot of them end up, shut out and forgotten for hours on end Is there any chance that whilst you little one is asleep you could spend 5 mins out there with her throwing a toy for her? That mental stimulation, even just for 5 or 10 mins a day will bond her a bit more to yourself, and also help to alleviate her boredom.

I suspect you'd really like the dog gone wouldn't you? So would I! I'd like her to go back to the rescue centre where they can find the proper home for her as this is clearly not it.

I wonder if you could get a friend round who knows all about dogs, whilst the owner is there, and he/she could subtly get into the conversation with him about what a dangerous situation this could end up, because it is imo.

He should have got an oldie, who would have been quite happy to mooch about the place whilst he was out, or spend some time chilling out the back, but this 3 year old shepherd is certainly not going to do that happily and she's already showing signs of retaliation.

Good luck and please keep us informed. Well done for taking the time to get something sorted if only for yourselves.

Excellent post Helena. I think 'he' shouldn't have got a dog at all! Oldie or younger.

And as OP says she has no experience with dogs. An erratic GSD is not the best dog to start with!

Nowhere NEAR enough physical OR mental stimulation to an intelligent, high energy dog like a GSD. Poor darling, she is going stir crazy ... this is the nub of the matter. IMO the dog should be rehomed immediately to someone who knows how to look after and exercise a dog like a GSD. Please NEVER leave your child alone with her, and even when you are present in the room I would always make sure that I am between myself and the child. A dog like this is potentially a very dangerous animal indeed ... through no fault of the dog's either. She deserves far better, and so do you and your family - not to mention the poor cat!

Please try and persuade your room mate to do the right thing - for everyone's sakes, including the dog herself. Best of luck