Consider Adopting before Buying!!

Most of you know I am all in favor of rescuing, but why?

I can understand sport enthusiasts, show, formal obedience, or other drive work, but family companionship??? Why do you require a paper that guarantees your dog's bloodline if you are not participating those activities. Yes, you have a better idea of the temperament are getting based on the parents, but is that always a good thing? I have run into many people who want a German-line pure bred German Shepherd, who have never had a GSD before. They end with my number for training with behavior problems. Yes, pure breeds have behavior problems too!!

Many think rescue pups always behavior problems, but no more than the breeder pups. Rescues intake breeder pups all the time as well and depending on the family that owned them and what they were subjected too determines if I get a phone call for training. So don't be under the impression that only rescue pups, mix breeds, or un-pedigreed dogs have "issues".

I am all for reducing the pet population problem that plagues us. There are so many unwanted animals in the shelters. Please consider helping one of these by adopting before you take the breeder route. Below are a few of my foster pups thru VA German Shepherd rescue.

Fox 5 News Interview

We had a great talk with Annie Yu of Fox5 Morning news on Monday! For the full interview please visit : VGSR Interview

It was a great highlight of the beautiful shepherds we have within the rescue. You don't have to go to a breeder to get a purebred. I look forward to our next interview on Jan 16, 2012, where we will highlight some training points with our GSDs, and showcase a few more adoptable shepherds from VA German Shepherd Rescue! If you are looking for a great companion shepherd please visit VA German Shepherd Rescue!

Calm socializing can lead to healthy play!

3 of the dogs in this video were once under socialized, 1 of the dogs in the video is deaf, and 1 is perfectly normal and well socialized. Can you pick them out? Socializing at an early age can lead to a well-balanced healthy and friendly dog. When under-socialized the excitement levels can rise very fast resulting in aggression, fear, anxiety and a array of other problem behaviors. Being able to regulate play in an over-excited dogs is also very important to establishing a leader-follower relationship with your pet. Socializing an adult dog or correcting problem behaviors such as dog aggression or excitement can be a long and stressful road for an owner. Many pups will go without it. Can you imagine yourself forced to be alone?

DJF

Pup in Crisis!!

Today was a good day.

We were able to save a pup from euthanasia.

It was a stressful and tiresome road to get here, but we made it and she is safe and sound, and on the mend. This little gal's story started a month ago when her owner gave her up to a rescue. No time, too much work, the typical reasons. She has a fear of strangers and an obsession for light-chasing. (Side note: Please don't use laser lights on your animals.) Trust is huge within the canine world, you must trust your dogs and they must trust you to protect them, to provide for them, to give them rules. Unfortunately the foster she was with didn't quite work out. She needs a person with patience and time to help her overcome her OCD and socialize her with humans to overcome fear and anxiety. Her road led her back to a vet's office after she allegedly snapped at her foster. To make a long story short, the vet deemed her a dangerous dog, unfit for human contact and she was scheduled for euthanasia. I knew this girl had more love to give, so I fought to have her saved, and by the grace of God, we won! Here is a pic of the little lady on her way to our place, her new home with her newly adoptive family.