Shepherd Behavioral Issues

Question
HI,
 I have an issue I cannot resolve.  I have done animal rescue for 5 years and have had quite the experience in dealing with behavioral issues, but I am stumped (along w/the Vet)on our problem.  This is the issue. My family and I adopted a 5 Year old retired show dog (GSD) 2 years ago.  Obviuosly he was kept in an outdoor kennel ALL of the time and we got over all of the issues regarding that (housetraining, socialization (kinda) and agressiveness towards our cats)  Well, I am the one he has bonded to since the adoption, and LITERALLY, he NEVER leaves my side.  For the first year, I chalked it up to his upbringing and his need for security.  Well, two years later, it is less than endearing.  This "following" does not even allow me to use the restroom w/out him attempting to be at my side.  Showers, leave of abscences, anytime he cannot see me makes him insane.  Our other Shepherd that we have had since birth (he is now 9) had the "separation anxiety" issues and is since "cured", the point is, is that if I am not at home, the dog will not go to the bathroom, eat or any of the such until I return.  This is a problem, because I am tied to home if I want the assurance he will have a full belly and go to the bathroom.  PLEASE HELP! Thanks!  

Answer
Hi Emily,  This is not that uncommon in American bred German Shepherds (show dogs).  Your other dog you had since birth, so he got accustomed to your comings and goings (in his mind you always came back).  With a 5 year old (middle-aged) GSD who is american bred (his mind is already bred to be more nervous) it's a whole different ball game.  Those dogs will pace non stop in their kennels due to nerves.  The problem is that he is middle-aged, so he is set in his ways.  He is panic struck in his brain and won't calm down (to go to the bathroom, eat etc.) until things are the way he thinks they should be.  Sort of like an ADHD person.  They need things in a pattern, and when you leave, in his mind you disrupt his pattern so he doesn't know what to do and can not function.  A lot of show shepherds turn out this way.  That's why kennel life works for them, things are a total routine and never change except for when they go to a show, and if you have ever seen them at a show, they can be a nervous wreck.  There is really not much you can do except recognize the problem, try and keep things in as much of a pattern as possible and just reassure him everytime you come back.  Don't make a big deal of leaving, even the room.  Keeping things as calm as possible to keep their nerves down is one thing that can help, but you are in an impossible situation.  Wish I could be of more help.

Dawn