German Shepherd - 8 mon old

Question
My husband and I are in our 50's and have had our 8 mon old German Shepherd since he was 9 wks. old.  Our kids gave him to my husband as a Father's Day gift, but they are adults and don't live with us. "Rambo" is very active and playful.  He has always slept in a kennel at night away from us because he barks when we first put him in the kennel.  Sometimes he only barks for 5 minutes but sometimes it's 45 minutes.  During the day when we are at work or otherwise gone, we put him in a 5' x 4' cage in the house so he can move around more.  He is very smart and learns quickly.  We took him to obedience class and he learned quickly but was also very distracted by the other dogs (wanting to play).  He is not around other dogs at home.  Our evenings consist of contantly playing fetch in the house with Rambo. He is not careful about "mouthing" too hard and grabs our hands.   He whines quite a bit and wants constant attention.  He chases our cat but doesn't hurt her. I think he just wants to play.  He does not like to have his nails touched and cutting them is not a fun experience. He goes beserk.  It took the vet about 20 minutes to cut them with 2 helpers holding him.  He actually let loose his anal glands in the process. The vet said to touch his nails a lot to get him used to it but after several months he hasn't gotten any more used to it.  We love him but sometimes we feel like he is too much dog for us and we are doing him a disservice by keeping him.  (He probably needs a family that would take him ourside and run with him more but he is very attached to both of us.)  I guess my questions are:
1. Do you have any suggestions on how to keep him from barking at night?  2.  Do you have any suggestions for nail cutting?  3.  Do you think we should keep him or give him to more active owners?  Thanks for you assistance.

Answer
Hi Barbara
Part of your dog's problem is definitely lack of exercise. He needs it pretty desperately. Is there no way you can walk him a couple of times a day? How about hiring a local teen as a dog walker? Or purchasing a treadmill? Once they learn to use them dogs LOVE them and it's not as hard to teach them to do it as you would think. You might also consider putting a tether ball and pole in your backyard, hanging tows from low hanging limbs in trees, throwing a soccer ball out there for him, playing fetch with him until he's tired. Play outside not in the house but where he can really RUN. Even if it's just a few times a week. Swimming is great too if you know someone who has a pool they wouldn't mind your dog swimming in that would be perfect. How about a doggie park a couple of times a week? Doggie Daycare?
That'll help with ALL of your problems, exercise is a huge cure all. Next step for the crate. Purchase some toys that you can stuff with treats., Let him have them ONLY in the crate. Make sure the treats are REALLY good one's and smell great (to him anyway LOL), Alternate them frequently so he doesn't get bored. Try using the tv rather than the radio, put it where he can see it. I don't think rehoming should be an option. It sounds like he's very bonded to you and I believe that you care enough about this dog to change some things in your lifestyle for him. You sound like good, responsible pet owners. More exercise will make less chasing the cat and biting too. BTW, when he attempts to  put his teeth on you say NO or CHHH and turn your back to him immediately, END the game at that point. Give him a minute or two to consider it and try it again. If he mouths you again, turn your back to him and then walk away. He'll get it. The cutting the nails problem, that's going to be tough, your vet really messed up by forcing him to allow his nails to be done. Start by sitting on the floor with him in the evenings and rubbing his belly and the sides of his muzzle until he is very relaxed and in a calm submissive state. Give him a light massage but don't try to TOUCH his feet. Just see how near he will let your hand get before he begins to tense. The second he begins to tense work back up his leg. Each time try to get a bit closer to his foot. Make SURE he is tired, and nice and relaxed. End on a positive note and continue until he actually lets you touch his feet. Go SLOWLY, he is traumatized and having anxiety attacks due to the way he was handled. Walking him will actually boost his confidence and trust in you as well, but if you can't, well do the best you can. Let him know he can trust you and that you are not going to force him to let you handle his feet. Eventually, with love, patience and treats he will let you do it. When he does don't push him, Just touch his feet and go immediately back into a comfort zone. Make sure you give him a treat afterwards and lots of praise. Let him decide when he's had enough> This is not the time to establish dominance but to establish trust.
If you decide to give him to more active owners, please be very very careful in choosing his new home. If possible turn him over to a GSD rescue where they can help him deal with his problems and will screen prospective homes very carefully. I firmly believe that you can overcome this if you decide to apply the time and effort needed for this guy, who loves you so much :)
Happy Holidays
Cindi