German shepherds are loving and loyal dogs. They are fun-loving and can at times show some amusing behaviors like staring or circling you but they can turn out to be annoying when they overdo it. In this post, I’ll go through the reasons that can contribute to your German shepherd circling you.
A German shepherd can circle you for reasons like over-excitement, seeking attention, herding instincts, boredom, separation anxiety, and medical issues.
Why Does My German Shepherd Circle Me?
Excitement
German shepherds will express their joy in a variety of ways. It accomplishes this in several ways, including circling its owner. German shepherds, as you may know, are sociable creatures with gentle temperaments who adore their owners. So your German shepherd will circle you to demonstrate how happy he is to see you.
Your dog may be thrilled because it’s about to get its favorite treats or be taken out to play, and dogs like such attention.
Attention
If you fail to pay attention to your German shepherd, he will most likely demand it. Circling you is one of the ways your German shepherd will get your attention.
Perhaps you’ve been gone for a long period, or the dog has spent the entire day in a cage. When there is a problem, certain trained German shepherds will try to draw your attention. They will circle you if you are unaware of an emergency.
Herding Instincts
It may be a herding instinct that drives him, especially if he does it more frequently while you’re walking. To prevent this form of circling, go in the other direction from where it is circling you, especially if it is trying to move you.
You’ve Been Encouraging It
Dogs are bright creatures who learn best when they are rewarded for their efforts. If you reward your dog with pats or biscuits after it circles you, the behavior will become habitual.
Every time the dog circles you, he will be rewarded with treats. Such habits, especially if they are repeated, can be difficult to break.
If you’re bothered by this behavior, you should cease praising your German shepherd when he circles you. It’s preferable if you say no, and the dog will understand that this is unacceptable behavior.
Boredom
Your German shepherd will circle you whenever you are nearby because of boredom. The German shepherd will circle you since he has nothing else to do.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common behavioral problem in German shepherds. Because they don’t want you to leave them alone, a nervous dog will circle you.
This is mostly if he has become so reliant on you that they are unable to survive without you. Separation anxiety is also manifested by barking, whining, walking in circles, and destroying everything.
Medical Condition
Your German shepherd will circle you all over if he has vestibular disorders. If this is the case, you should keep track of when the behavior begins and contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
My German Shepherd Is Circling Me, What Should I Do?
Don’t Encourage It
You can make the German shepherd’s circle behavior permanent by supporting it. You must understand that this behavior must be stopped as soon as possible by refusing to engage it.
When your German shepherd begins to exhibit such behavior, show disinterest, or refuse to offer it a toy or a treat.
What you need to do is refocus the dog’s interest on a more helpful activity. For example, take your dog for a stroll or a swim.
Training
It is critical to provide your GSD with a lot of training so that it does not become dominant and is well behaved and easy to govern. If you haven’t given it much practice, it’s a good idea to start with the fundamentals.
Visit A Vet
A veterinarian can determine whether your German shepherd suffers from an illness such as canine vestibular dysfunction, which causes your dog to circle you. The veterinarian will ask a series of questions to discover when the behavior started.
If the problem isn’t serious, your veterinarian may recommend that you take your dog to an animal behaviorist.
The animal behaviorist will investigate why this dog is acting this way and how to control it.
Conclusion
A German shepherd can circle you because of behavioral, natural, and medical problems. You should understand the reason behind the behavior before looking for a solution.
Patience and persistence are required to train your German shepherd to stop circling you.