GSD Question

[melonie]

We have an intact pure bred GSD that was surrendered to the shelter. He's almost 2 yrs old.
I happen to know the owners of the dog, I'm good friends with her mom, and my daughter has been friends with her since we moved here.
So I have access to a lot of the dogs history. It has mainly been in an outside kennel or tied out. But he was allowed in the house. The owners are young, with two young kids, lots of people in and out of the house, parties, drama etc. They split up in the last 6 mos. She went to her parents, he stayed in the house. Then he went to jail and a neighbor was taking care of the dog. He got out, life went on. Then he went to jail again. The neighbor called her and she went and got the dog and found out that her husband had been mistreating the dog.
So he's been out on her parents farm. She started looking for a home for him a couple of months ago. The excuse being she was moving into an apartment and couldn't have pets.
I thought it was odd, because I know her parents wouldn't mind keeping the dog, they're good dog people. Then I found out that he had been growling at the kids. (3 and 1 yr)

So the dog is now at the shelter.
I was asked to come in and evaluate the dog, found out who I was evaluating. Then afterwards I went about finding out more about him.
Currently there are only 3 people who can work with him. They are the three people who were present when he was surrendered. One of them is our 14 yr old volunteer. The dog absolutely loves him. He see's the boy and his whole body relaxes and wiggles with the tail wag, his face relaxes etc.
When I approach his kennel, he would snarl, lip curl, bark etc. When I went in to feed the dogs, I brought along a high value treat to bribe him. The next day I could work around him and he didn't mind. He wasn't completely relaxed, he was alert, but didn't mind me talking to him, and being near his kennel. By the end 3pm Sunday he no longer reacted to me, and I could hand feed him treats. I have yet to touch him, or open his kennel, leash him etc. I don't feel comfortable, and I don't trust him.

I've done a bit of reading about the breed, trying to understand him a bit better.
Trying to find out what is "normal" GSD behavior. He doesn't act fearful, submissive or anything like that. He's very much a confidant dog, very alert, etc. I do know he was protective of his owner, and I don't find that outside the norm for the breed.
So I guess my question is,
How much of this could be the situation he's in? What should I expect to see? He's a pretty awesome dog, he knows basic obedience, walks well on the leash etc.

[maryellen]

They dont do well in shelters , and being moved around from house to shelter didnt help. Imbetting the kids were poking and jumping on him with no parent supervision so he was growling at the kids as he was unsure of them, alot of dogs are unsure of kids that age, can the shelter neuter him? That will help too, and see if a gsd rescue wl take him. They are aloof with strangers but shouldnt growl or lunge so i am. Thinking its the shelter stresding him out

[maryellen]

Can the 14 yr volunteer tak him out of his kennel and take him and you for a walk? He might react better once out if his run

[maryellen]

I can crosspost him on the gsd forum i am on just need your shelter website and link to the gsd

[maryellen]

I can crosspost him on the gsd forum i am on just need your shelter website and link to the gsd

[megan]

Agreed with ME about neutering him and about GSD's historically do bad in shelter settings. I've seen many a GSD deteriorate in kennels and shelters, and I've seen it happen quite quickly in some dogs. If you can find a breed rescue to take him, he'd likely be better off. At the very least, a GSD rescue getting him into a foster home can help determine if it's the shelter or a temperament issue.

[melonie]

He will be neutered. I need to check, but I know that the police officer in town who works/handles our k-9 cop Belgian Mal, is interested in him. Or at least he expressed interest. When Officer Wilson was going to come meet Duke I suggested the boy take him outside and they walk. Unfortunately the officer had to work. So that meet didn't happen. He hasn't yet rescheduled a meet and greet, but I did talk to the shelter manager to let her know about cross posting etc. I think she was going to schedule his neuter today as well.

Cleveland doesn't care for small kids, and I'm ok with that. As Kia has gotten older he's gotten better. It's not what I consider a deal breaker since small kids are pretty freaky...loud, obnoxious, dramatic, etc. So I won't pass judgement on a dog based on that, but I also won't ignore it or set the dog up to fail.

Thanks for the input. I'll let you know what happens.

[melonie]

Ok, the officer doesn't want him. I am going to start contacting gsd rescues in our area.
Where else should I contact?

[maryellen]

Try gsd rescues outside your area as well, and some all breed rescues too, and some schuzhund clubs in your area as well

[maryellen]

Try to find a foster home asap as he will deteriorate fast in the shelter

[melonie]

I called and talked to Connie about a foster home (she handles intakes/adoptions/billing etc). I already knew that we have no homes set up to foster. I called a board member the other day asking if they had any foster resources, and my call hasn't been returned.
I am pretty frustrated, but I have full authority in placing this dog. I've contacted his old owner to get more information on how he is with other animals etc.

This is what I now know:
He's good with all animals, small, dogs, cats, birds, rabbits. He's good around cattle, and showed herding instincts with them. She said he showed a good work drive and eager to please you. Good with horses and other livestock etc. He likes to nurture small dogs.

He loves people, but he is leery of new people, but once he warms up he's fine.
He became protective of his female owner after her husband started being abusive to her in front of the dog.
And he started guarding her around new men. Once he was reassured everything was ok, he would settle down and warm up to them. His male owner did start to mistreat him. He didn't have issues with the kids. He didn't start growling or anything like that. He became protective of them through all the issues with her husband.
She never registered him, not clear on the why. I've asked her to find out his pedigree though.
He'll be 3 in April. She first spent time with him when he was 5 weeks. He's always been laid back. It seems like before all the drama happened, he was a pretty good dog over all. After the drama he's more protective and leery. I did ask why her parents couldn't keep him. They live on a farm that her dad manages for a company. She said her parents said they couldn't afford to feed him and the other dogs. I can understand, her mom used to clean homes in town, but moving 45 min to the middle of nowhere, she had to quit. So they only have the one income.
So that's pretty much his history. Tomorrow I'll start contacting rescues, and trying to find a foster.

[maryellen]

Can the daughter help feed him? This way he can go back to the farm as a foster and get out of the shelter?

[melonie]

She's not really in a place that she can. The ex is sitting in jail so there isn't any help there. I've made the offer to pay for his food until we can find him a place to go, or until she can take over. I'll probably give her mom a call tomorrow. Get some more info as well.

[maryellen]

Can you join german shep forum and post him in the rescue section? Im working off my cell so i cant copy and paste info or pics there, they have a bunch of gsd rescues that pull dogs from shelters

[melonie]

Yeah I can.

Sent from my XT881 using proboards

[maryellen]

Great thanks, im on there as mebully21

[melonie]

is it this one? www.germanshepherds.com/forum/

[maryellen]

Yep thats it!

[melonie]

Ok, posted. Now I'm going to try and get some more sleep.
Thanks ME!

[melonie]

Update on Duke,
A lady in Omaha contacted me today, she is sharing his info with her group of GSD friends and hopefully we will have a foster home very soon. Amy Jo also has a family in Iowa who has been looking for another GSD, so we might be setting up a meet and greet with them.

The lady in Omaha heard about Duke through her mom who still lives here in town. Fingers crossed this dog lands safely somewhere soon!