I'm currently going through the process of rescuing a GSD. I'd hoped to find something about this on the forum.

It might be me, but I can't find anything. Please put me right (with a treat) if i missed it.

Is this a worthwhile area?

Rob

Is this the 2 year old dog you were talking about? A rescue that will be around your g/f's puppy sometime?

With a GSD (vs. a mutt) you have a better chance of finding the right people if you are looking for them. Go to club people, they do have experience and are very visible. They will be able to help you better if there are any specific problems (that need a private lesson with a trainer anyway).

Online - GSD rescue groups by state?

Are you looking for info re a potential dog you have already found in a rescue center? ie how to handle/incorporate a rescue dog into your home?
There's this forum topic:
(Problems with my USPCA(Humane Society) Rescue Dog)
There are quite a few threads in there that might give you an idea of problems people encounter when they rescue a dog.
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/120/page/1

PS Member Mike Arnold has rescued several GSD's and I think he's active with his local GSD rescue group. He has a wealth of great info about living with dogs. If you have specific questions, you can send him a PM (private message). he's not on here all the time, but I think he still checks in occasionally...

Rescue of high energy breeds can be difficult. It takes time to find the right dog to match you and your life. I've done it twice now and haven't regretted it at all.

Sometimes dogs are given up because they are too active, have quirks, have bad behaviour that is manageable or even fixable, or sometimes people just can't keep them (economics, space, spouse, kids). It's finding the right combination that suits you that can be hard. Keep looking, it's totally worth it!

Elise

Yeah yeah Rob.
Lots of people here rescue dogs.

Do you mean is a rescued dog worth while?
Or do you mean, is there somebody here to help?

 Quote: Robert Holloway

I'm currently going through the process of rescuing a GSD. I'd hoped to find something about this on the forum.

It might be me, but I can't find anything. Please put me right (with a treat) if i missed it.

Is this a worthwhile area?

Rob

I'm not sure what you mean: You have found the dog and want to discuss the process of integrating him in your family? Or you are looking for a rescue?

PS Mine are all rescues. As Randy says, many people on the board have rescues.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies.

My apologies for the absence but I adopted "Case" on saturday night and he's been occupying us quite a bit since then.

Connie - I was clumsily asking if there was an area on the forum specific to rescue and if not, would it be a worthwhile thing to start as i think taking a rescue dog is different from getting an 8 week old puppy.

Case is amazing - aren't they all.

He was picked up as a stray in Santa Cruz in April and then fostered in San Jose. He's about 18 months old. He lost the tip of his left ear at some point and was very underweight. The foster mom and i have got him up from 76 to 79 pounds and he's lost his cattle butt as she called it.

We think his optimal weight is a fit 85 pounds.

He has strong prey drive and good food drive. He's a dog that needs and loves lots of exercise. He is almost completely untrained. His mouthyness, whining and nipping have subsided over the past 4 days - he's is crate trained which is a blessing.

I'll try and get a picture of him up here soon.

I'm really open to any advice.

I'm having 1-2 weeks of acclimatization where Case is always tethered to the kitchen table (my house is open plan) or in his crate. He's now sitting before and after doors (most times) and we are grooming every day for 5-10 mins to get him more used to hands on from me.

I'm devouring Ed's videos (8wks - 8months, pack structure and now obedience training) and podcasts which are simply awesome IMHO.

So much fun ahead.
Rob

ok, well there is a specific forum on here for question & answers on spca or rescue dogs:

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/120/page/1

i think that's what you were asking, if there was a spot on the discussion board that dealt with rescue dogs?

 Quote: robert holloway

.... I'm devouring Ed's videos (8wks - 8months, pack structure and now obedience training) and podcasts which are simply awesome IMHO.

So much fun ahead.
Rob

Don't skip marker training! (It's included in Basic Ob but you will want to see at least the first basic marker video at http://leerburg.com/219.htm because it applies to just about all training.

There are differences about rescuing, yes -- it's great to discover the personality the dog came with and that is gradually revealed as you bond.

I am moving the thread to the "rescue" forum.