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ForumsGerman Shepherd Dog > What do you think . . . . (29 replies)
What do you think . . . . by 3Shep2 on 09 February 2012 - 23:37 |
Tomorrow I plan on visiting this lady in a shelter about two hours from home-if all goes well she will be coming home with me-she is one of three GS turned into the shelter when their owner passed away last December. She is 8 years old and to my surprise still unaltered-supposedly will chase cats and kill small dogs-of which I have neither-usually neither is a big issue to correct-neither do I expect major problems introducing her to my existing pack. .jpg) .jpg) |
by starrchar on 09 February 2012 - 23:53 |
| Wow, she is gorgeous! My sister's last hearing dog, a black lab mix, came from the Humane Society. They said she was surrendered because she killed cats and ate furniture. After six months of training she became my sister's reliable hearing assisitance dog. She was great with cats after she was taught that she can't can't chase them and she never chewed anything. Of course, she was kept in a crate when I wasn't home and on a lead on my belt for quite some time when I was at home, until she learned the rules. I also spent a lot of time training her, but she turned out to be one of the most amazing dogs ever. I guess my point is that you need to have the dog for a while before you really know... Good luck with her and bless you for adopting her. |
starrchar by NorthwindsGS on 09 February 2012 - 23:56 |
| I think you have a heart of gold. Bless you for taking in a 8 year old German Shepherd. Wish you lots of luck and love with your new friend! She is beautiful! Don't most shelters require a dog to be neutered or spayed before placing? |
NorthwindsGS by NorthwindsGS on 09 February 2012 - 23:56 |
| I think you have a heart of gold. Bless you for taking in a 8 year old German Shepherd. Wish you lots of luck and love with your new friend! She is beautiful! Don't most shelters require a dog to be neutered or spayed before placing? |
by Nans gsd on 10 February 2012 - 00:20 |
| Best of luck. Thx for saving her. Nan |
by 3Shep2 on 10 February 2012 - 00:50 |
| Northwinds, Some of the smaller shelters in the area make altering part of the adoption agreement if the dog isn't already. This shelter is no-kill, but I figured an 8 year old doesn't have the best chances-she been there over a month already-plus with her adoption, opens a spot for another dog-keeping it from going to a kill shelter. Plus I love her looks! |
by Kalibeck on 10 February 2012 - 01:04 |
| She's beautiful! And lucky to have you going to get her! Let us know how you two get on together, & how your 'pack' dynamics do with a new member! Good luck & God bless! jackie harris |
Kalibeck by Balanchine on 10 February 2012 - 02:47 |
| A beautiful girl and you're amazing for taking her. Just terrific. |
by EchoEcho on 10 February 2012 - 03:55 |
| Good for you and you are doing a wonderful thing. Hopefully spaying her at this age won't cause any bad side effects. Best of luck to you!! |
EchoEcho by CMills on 10 February 2012 - 03:55 |
| You're doing a wonderful thing, and she's a beautiful girl to boot! Best of luck with her. |
CMills by 3Shep2 on 10 February 2012 - 20:30 |
| Well she's HOME-a good traveler. The first introduction of the gang were a bit "iffy"-just got off the phone with the shelter manager-seems she & the other two were left in their runs for about the last two or three years with very little interaction. I found out today that she's not housebroken either, has no manners and seemingly very little formal training-I took her & the others for a walk around my five acres and even on a pinch collar she wore me out. They groomed her recently and she is a gorgeous dark red sable-rather overweight. She is schedule for surgery in about ten days. The shelter adopted out the male that came in with her but the other dog was put down due to age & very severe arthritis-quite snappy with everyone. The adventure begins . . . . |
by starrchar on 10 February 2012 - 22:25 |
| Give her time. The dogs I've adopted have taken a minimum of two weeks to start settling in. Some take a lot longer. Also, my experience with adult dogs that aren't housebroken is that they learn very quickly. Be sure to set her up for success and take it slow. She is very stressedright now and you don't want to overwhelm her. That is when they act out and it can get ugly. I've always kept the rescues separate from the other dogs for at least a few days, depending on the dog. Give her clear boundaries also. Hang in there. You're doing a wonderful thing. |
by Kalibeck on 11 February 2012 - 01:32 |
| Everything Starrchar said & take a deep breath! It won't be a cake walk, but you knew that going in, right? Even totally housebroken dogs can break down with a new enviornment & routine. Just keep everyone safe & let everyone get used to things slowly. And don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back, you deserve it! And we're here if you need to ask questions, blow off steam, or just plain vent. Prayers & positive energy coming your way! jackie harris |
by 3Shep2 on 11 February 2012 - 22:01 |
| Thanks folks, she's not my first rescue GS, I've had several over the last 13 years-but she is my first with the harder mentality-I've actually called the shelter to return her, but they are full-----she is a wonderful girl-by herself, ok with the other dogs-unless they turn and face her, then she wants to go for them and they are not challenging her either-my dogs do not understand why they are being told to stay back, they are used to being at my side as it pleases them. Currently it's either the packs' out and she crated with frequent swapping-she needs space to be able to move and wear herself out, but I do not feel she's ready to go off leash outside-it would be nice if I had my training area fenced or even a run but I don't---too bad she's not younger, I believe she would be a good schutzhund prospect. I did go up and speak with my former obedience instructor last evening-she's one that says "bring the dogs-if they act aggressive, we'll muzzle them, they need to be in training". I really like this girl, I think she's an interesting challenge, but I sure do not want to endanger my other five. |
by Keith Grossman on 11 February 2012 - 22:19 |
| Ditto what everyone else said and take whatever shelters or rescues tell you with a grain of salt; most of them couldn't tell a dog was pissing on their leg if their shoe was full. |
Keith Grossman by Jenni78 on 11 February 2012 - 22:39 |
| Keep her away from the others and she won't be a danger. Personally, I don't know why she has already been allowed with your dogs. Not how I would've done it. Not judging you, but if you've already tried to return her, then obviously your plan isn't working and I would reassess and take a new tactic. Have patience and try to think of what's going on from HER perspective. What were you expecting turning your dogs out with her? She's no different than some imports who come as kennel dogs not used to or good with other animals. You work through it. If you can't, you rotate them. Keith, LOL. EXACTLY!!! I can't keep from laughing anymore when someone cites their rescue experience as validation of their dog handling capabilities. |
Jenni78 by yellowrose of Texas on 11 February 2012 - 23:31 |
| I do agree with JENN and Keith Your new girl is nice and you do have a challenge but all will be well if you keep her sperate. NOT for ever but for the bond between you and her..She has no clue and I am sure you realize each gsd you handle is different. YR |
yellowrose of Texas by BoschK9 on 11 February 2012 - 23:41 |
I just needed to thank you for opening your heart to yet another Dog. May God bless you and your pack! |
by beetree on 11 February 2012 - 23:46 |
| And on the other hand, those who rescue seem to deal with issues the experts never encounter. Go figure. |
beetree by Jenni78 on 12 February 2012 - 02:16 |
| Some "deal" with them. Some pass them off to others who can't deal with them. Some don't bother. Many don't want the liability. I quit rescue (organized rescue, anyway) because I got tired of biting my tongue when faced with the Cesar Millan couch experts with the Petsmart training mentality who want to "rehabilitate" hopeless dogs and kill strong ones. I had a rescue person at my house to pick up some stuff I sold on craigslist. They were horrified watching Capri's pups interact at 4 weeks. They told me I should be holding the "mean ones" in a "calm submissive" position.   When I got done laughing, I felt sorry for the poor dogs whose lives are in her hands as an "evaluator." I hope this girl settles in quickly and is able to stay in this home. I LOVE taking in older dogs. I could go the rest of my life w/out another puppy. |
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