Why Does My German Shepherd Stretch So Much? 5 Different Types of GSD Stretches and Their Meanings https://www.anythinggermanshepherd.co...

There are lots of reasons why a German Shepherd might stretch a lot.

As long as there is no reason to suspect an underlying health issue, the simplest explanation is often the right one – stretching simply feels good and your dog wants to communicate with you!

Let’s take a look at each of these common stretches and decode their meanings.


#1 Your dog wants to play

Dogs will often start stretching to indicate to their owner or another dog that they want to play.

Here, there is usually a lot more going on than just the stretching behavior. Your GSD may whine or bark, wag their tail, stare, or wiggle to indicate excitement and eagerness.

You may also see your dog stretching with a favorite toy in their mouth – this is often a clear sign that they want to play and what type of play they want.

#2 Your dog wants to make friends

When your dog meets other dogs, there is a lot of communication taking place. Stretching can be a handy way to say, “let’s be friends!”

A dog that wants to communicate submissiveness may actually lie down on the ground and stretch its front legs out, as this Vetstreet photo gallery illustrates.

#3 Your dog wants to mate

When German Shepherds hit puberty and become sexually mature, they become interested in mating.

An unfixed female dog may stretch her hindquarters up in the air to signal readiness for mating.

#4 Your dog wants to say hi

Clicker Training calls this the “I love you” stretch or the “greeting” stretch.

This is a special stretch that your German Shepherd will only do with you and others they really love.

It is often accompanied by a sweet expression and a gaze right at you – you can tell if you look at your dog’s face and see their nose is pointed right at you.

The front legs are lowered, and the hindquarters are lifted in this stretch.

Usually, the dog’s front elbows are elevated off the ground. Sometimes the reverse is the case, however.

#5 Your dog wants to cool down

Gilbertsville Veterinary Hospital points out, there is another type of stretch that dog owners often call “the sploot.”

Half split, half scoot, and all stretch, the sploot can have several different meanings. But one of the most common reasons a German Shepherd will sploot is because they want to cool down.

The German Shepherd is a working dog breed that has a thick, doublelayer coat in adulthood. That coat can get quite hot in the warm season.

So, if your dog comes across a cool floor or some cool grass, lying bellydown in the grass with the hind legs back is a great way to cool down fast.

Have you noticed any unusual GSD stretching behaviors? Let us know in the comments below!

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