Going nuts....someone please help!!! - Page 1

I have had a few GSDs in the past and none of them did this, so I was wondering if mine was the only one and if not if you had advice to stop it. 4 month old GS loves his water dish, a little too much. I have been having and issue with Liam and his water bowl. I have a 5 gallon water that was working out great (since I have 2 dogs it was easier). When he was younger he would just put his front feet in the water bowl while he was drinking. I only noticed this right before he started doing his new thing. He now likes to dump the whole thing over. It started when I was gone so I would just move the water bowl into another room and shut the door while I was gone (I never go anywhere longer then like 30 minutes unless it's grocery shopping). But then he decided to start dumping it right in front of me. By the time I get to the thing all the water is already in the carpet. I retired that water dispencer and tried just regular steel bowls in the raised feeder, he does it with that too. I have a water bowl that I bought when I had a bloodhound that has a top to it and a hole just big enough for them to get water, he has already eaten that (Teething and I think mad because it didn't spill). I don't know what else to do. I have never seen a dog this interested in playing in the water. I tried taking him to the lake to see if he would play in that and he looked at me like I was dumb. He doesn't like any other water then the one he plays with in his water dish. PLEASE HELP ME. I'm going nuts trying to figure out what to do. I'm renting so the last thing I need is the carpets getting moldy. 

I have also tried limited the water. Nothing has worked. :(

I have had Smooth Fox Terriers for thirty years and they can be the same way. My GSDs also will do the same thing if allowed to. I learned from my FTs that you have got to correct them for playing in the water bowl. It is unacceptable behavior the same as chewing on shoes etc. Put a collar and leash on your little darling and give him a stern NO with a pop with the lead. Be consistent and don't leave him unsupervised, (crate while you are not home). Just be sure your timing is so that you don't correct them for getting a drink.

I had one that did this.  Just put a large rock in the bottom so he cant tip it over.  Be ready for him to chew it unless you use a metal watering container.  He will stop in about a year.

Correction as mentioned already . I have a 5gallon bucket  and halfway up from the floor I screwed a 3/8 x 3inch eyebolt into the wall (into a stud or any solid wood) then get a strong bungee cord run it around the bucket and hook the ends to the eye bolt . Also I have a now 11months old male WL and if he doesn't get enough exercise (rarely happens-I learned my lesson) he can be a terror. Corrections are all  well and good but some of these guys have an amazing amount of energy and need an outlet and it is up to us to channel that into a more positive direction i.e exercise and mental stimulation.  I am not saying that you are not doeing that,I don't what you do.Just  felt like adding that.Good luck with the puppy, don't get too exasperated.....maybe add a few more toys .     Uli

Our boy started out doing the same thing as a puppy & it still continues today (he's 3-years-old)-except 
it's worse.  This is the only way to keep the water & bucket safe.  This is a cement block & metal water buckets ( available at Ryan's Pet Supplies).  If the bucket is hooked to something (like a crate) he'll get if off in exactly 30 seconds spilling the water & then fighting with the bucket. Hope this helps you out!

You can also remove the hook from the buckets.  We don't have to do that anymore because after he realizes he can't get the bucket or spill the water he doesn't even try--he's off to some other mischief :)

  

Mine always did this too at first. He'd carry it around proudly, water going all over the house or outside. I decided to get a water dish that was bigger than he was at the time......He stopped, though he attempted to just splash water out with his paws and bite the water for fun.  Light verbal correction and then redirection and over time he knocked it off. He's a nut though. Still, if I toss a small food bowl or water dish he'll go carry it around, but typically I keep those out of reach.

Bucket sat inside 2 car tyres :)

Good advice has been given already so just going to share a photo of just one of mine even though they all did it lol