Posted on 03/30/2012 7:26:44 PM PDT by pops88
I just sent the following to someone involved with animal rescue, and wanted to share with Freepers. It's been a very hard day here :
I found out last night my family has to move overseas in the next 5 days because of my husband's job. I have a highly intelligent, well trained, well behaved, 4 year old German Shepherd. If I can't find a foster or permanent home, he will have to be euthanized. I've worked with him extensively. He's obedient and knows many commands, but he's not been able to be socialized to other people or animals. From the time he was a puppy he was fearful of other people and I was unable change that behavior. As a family pet, he has been wonderful. He was neutered as soon as possible to avoid problems with dominance issues. Some of the commands he knows: sit, stay, lie down, leave it, drop it, take, put (here,) give, find (person/specific toy), back up,wait, shake,kiss, crate, etc.
He is pool safe. He does not enter bedrooms or bathrooms unless on command. He does not get on furniture or eat food that has not been given to him. He will not take food from counters, coffee tables or the garbage. He is housebroken. If his water is empty he will nudge his dish and sit and wait. If a toy is taken away and put up he will not try to take it back. He doesn't beg at the table. When I'm cooking he goes and lies down. He is in good health and not over weight.
He can be a big ham with doe eyes or a head plant on a knee when he wants attention. He's so smart and communicative that I've referred to him as our toddler. He was taught to heel as a puppy, but because of his fear and aggression with strangers and other animals he has not been walked on a leash for several years. He's had to be confined to our home and backyard. My husband is a pilot and was unemployed several times in the last few years because of the economy. It's been a real struggle for us. We didn't have the money to take him to a professional trainer to deal with his socialization issues, and he was too big for me to handle on walks. He would be an absolutely wonderful dog for someone willing to work with him.
I've kept a file on all his vet records and papers (purebred from East German blood lines.) We absolutely hate the thought of having to take him to the Humane Society and be put down when he's such a wonderful dog otherwise, but again, we have to move overseas on extremely short notice and we're all pretty much in shock. I live in Las Vegas and expect to be driving to Los Angeles on Tuesday.
What a freakin' putz you are to say such words to the OP. You disgust me. Your compassion extends to your elbow.
This dog is obviously well-loved. Socialized, not so much. But I don't blame it on the owner. Some just don't take, and I've had a couple. You just deal with it.
No way do I take that these folks don't love this dog. They're trying the best to assure he finds a good home, because they love him. As an add on, he sounds like he'd make a great police dog if there's a precinct that might want to adopt him.
GERMAN SHEPHERD PING LIST
This is a low-volume list so dont worry!
(Please Freep-mail me if youd like to be on or off the list.)
http://www.nevadaspca.org/
Nevada No-Kill SPCA
http://www.lvvhumane.org/index.php
Las Vegas SPCA
No Kill Animal Sanctuary- Heaven Can Wait
http://hcws.org/aboutus/hcws-overview
A reference list of animal shelters
http://www.pgaa.com/nevada.html
What exactly does that mean, he's hostile and needs to be restrained?
Good point. I can post if she needs it. I’ve been a member for years, but rarely read or post anymore.
“This dog is obviously well-loved. Socialized, not so much. But I don’t blame it on the owner. Some just don’t take, and I’ve had a couple. You just deal with it.”
I took my puppy to UNLV 4 days a week for an entire semester. I did everything the experts recommend. When he started showing fear, I put up a presentation board with treats by it that said “Puppy 101- help my puppy be socialized by tossing him a treat.” I sat in a recessed area with him so people weren’t too close. The best I ever got with his progression was gingerly accepting a treat by had and retreating. When he was about 3 months old, a neighbor said, “my dogs just want to say ‘hi.’ They won’t hurt him,” which was followed by him being attacked leaving him afraid of other dogs. I’ve invested a huge amount of time with my dog. Just a few days ago I sent my clicker to my parents that are working with a beagle puppy. I almost sent them a training dvd set that I was alerted in email that was on sale, but I thought that might be an over step. I’ve had dogs all my life and they’ve all been loved and obedience trained.
Completely out of line and beyond the pale.
“Have you tried calling your local police/sheriffs offices, or the local Army recruiter?
They might be able to use a 4 year old, well-behaved, good looking dog like him.”
That is highly doubtful with a clear temperament issue.
Please contact GS Rescue of Orange County too. There is no need to put this dog to sleep. That’s just crazy talk. No one would do it anyway.
Thank you for that list. It’s hard to think very clearly when your world gets turned upside down. As for the questions about time frame, the reason it has to happen so quickly is because of circumstances unique to my husband’s job and situation that I don’t want to go into. There is just plain no me staying behind and him making arrangements ahead.
FRmail. Read the newest one first...
You may take your pets with you to many countries nowadays, even England.
“Sounds rather strange that you cant spend several more days stateside to take care of personal business while your husband travels ahead to take care of arrangements at your destination.”
Why are you so mean Kirkwood ? In this economy sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Also: How can I get my private email to pops ? I will take the dog ...on East Coast but can figure something out.
pops88, I would love to foster, adopt, take into my home the German Shepherd you speak of. I’m in Northern Ca. I saw some one talk of Southern Ca, is that where you are located? Let me know, will drive down Saturday. I will pm you also. I do not know of a better Dog then the GSD. Thanks, Rich
perhaps. My wife and I are buying a farm and we talked about getting a dog.
Can you tell me how we might transfer on such short notice?? If possible, I will get you in touch with my wife..
You find a way to deal with the problem other then killing it or abandoning it, it is part of the family.
What a beautiful dog.
Wish I could take him.
Contacting the ‘dog whisperer’ guy sounds like the best idea.
Well, just read the dog whisperer guy can’t take dogs.
That’s tough. A German Sheppard surrender place then.
Best of luck in finding him a home and good luck with your new job/home.
God bless.
“You may take your pets with you to many countries nowadays, even England.”
I don’t have that option with this move. If there was any way I could, I would.
I’ve got to be off to bed. I vaguely remember eating once today. I got the bare essentials in a box, some clothes in a suitcase, and the next few days will be entirely devoted to my dog, Aldawin. And a small bit of trivia- my 13 year old, who had been home schooled, was taking German her first semester at UNLV and decided to give him a German name. We later discovered it means “old friend.”
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