I am looking after a 3year old neutered GSD over the holidays... he has been here for 3 days, and only here for another 3 days, BUT.. I feel so desperately bad for him.. he is pining for his owner. we knew he would be bad, which is why he hasnt gone into kennels.

GSD is not my breed, and I really am at a loss in how to deal with him.. he is a lovely lad, and loves cuddles, but so far he has paced the yard non stop.. not eaten.. trying to feed him titbits, he turns his nose up...

the only thing that has brought him to life are my two puppies, and he talks and kisses them over the top of the playpen, but I cant let him play obviously... My boys are going through the hormonal strop (7 months between them) so I darent put them in with him... and the girls are being protective because of the pups, so I cant let him with them... I let him with Summer but he didnt want to know.. and continued to pace....

In the house, he just paces from one window to the next a back...

Any suggestions would be appreciated...

I know exactly what you're going through Kayc, but to be honest have no clue how to deal with it!
I've had GSD's for 7 years now and most of them, away from their owner/s get really depressed from what I've experienced.  I've had a number of my own pups, some bred by my partner and others come to stay in my kennels whilst their owners have been away, and they do fret.....I've noticed it more with males than females. 

Is he a fit, healthy dog?  I know it's a difficult time of year, but lots of exercise could well help, tire him out and maybe relax him a bit.  That's what I've done with the ones that have stayed with me.  It's helped....but not greatly.

I really feel for you at the moment, it's a big responsibility looking after somebody else's dog, I get very stressed when I do it!!

Wish I could help more....I'm sure it will all turn out well though and it's not long till his owners come home.

Lisa

Hi Lisa, many thanks for your reply, it is difficult looking after others dogs, I agree... and to be honest, have no experience with GSD's at all... I have worked with timid/SA/shy gundogs, but probably with a little more confidence than I have with this boy... still.. he will be home tomorrow at 6pm, so he hasnt got much longer to go now...

Yes, hes is a good, fit healthy boy, just pining for his mum....

Kay

Could you get him to do a job Kay? Maybe train a new trick or at the least play a favourite game. If you can find something really interesting for him it might take his mind off things for a bit.

Hi Lori, that was one of the 1st things I tried, i just cant hold his attention long enough, (maybe he sensed I was trying too hard ) so that was stressing him out.  Before going over to my daughters for Dinner, I took him back to his home and let him have a good wander around his own garden and wander around in the field behind etc... and he seems much happier (less distressed)  I left food down for him before going out, and he has eaten it :)  so, I think tomorrow morning will take him another wander round his own home... and his mum comes back around 6, so he hasnt got too much longer to go...

Bless you, you're doing a fab job and I think that was just the right thing to do - let him be somewhere familiar.  Also maybe for next time if you do it again, you could ask her to wear a Tshirt or jumper to bed a few times so that he has something with her smell on it that you can put in his bed!

If he was happier around his own home his owner might consider next time having someone stay with him in his own home.

Totally agree with Brainless. Thinking how the dog does - I've been dumped at someones house, don't know where my owners have gone, took me back to my house and there not there!! he's probaly wondering whats going on? If there with him alot of the time without been separated will have made it worse. Well he's home soon but next time like brainless thinks maybe keep him at his own house or before they go away have him overnight with something of theirs and see if it helps first.

Totally agree with you Barbara... and he's still here, not going b ack now till 5pm tomorrow ... (sigh)  I think I am as stressed as he is now..

This is the 1st time in his 3years they have been seperated, but she knew he would be difficult to leave, since she very rarely leaves him at home alone, normally taken everywhere she goes, I dont think either of us realised just how difficult... although, with his behaviour, I would be more inclined to say it was his surroundings that he is stressed about leaving,... he is a little better today after another trip home....

Not long to go now Kay, and he'll be happily settled back with his Mum.....I reckon you should sit down and relax with a glass of something strong then :-D 
I'm sure you've done a grand job with him, and it sounds like his visits home certainly helped, good thinking!

Just being there listening to my moans helped immensly lol... he's now home... :)