A neighbor approached me with the idea of accepting a 15 month old GSD, the owner is a military person being shipped over seas. They are trying to find a good owner for the dog before giving the dog to the pound. He stated "And I noticed that you seem to like GSDs, was his reasoning".

I agreed to look at the dog and see if I want to try to adopt it. My immeadiate plan, if I accept this chaleenge is to crate the dog and get it use to me, check out how much OB training the dogs has or how quick it can learn. I also want to check out its temperment.

I don't want to introduce the dog to the other dogs until I have some control over the new animal. If it passes my temperment tests and are you smart test. Then its a green light.

Do you think this is a good idea? What should I expect out of the dogs, inital contact with me?

Being introduced to a stranger around his owner? Personally barking at me is fine as long as he cool down. Investing with a sniff and back to its onwer is fine. I like those responce far better then hinding behind its onwers legs, thats a sure trip to the dog pound. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Sometimes it is important to 'know when to say when'...

Can you afford to feed, train, vet a fourth dog? Do you honestly have time to add another dog? What would be your plans if the dog was not able to work with your pack of current dogs. That means seperation, rotation, and at least two trips of everything. If you can't transport 4 dogs, who will help you to take the others out if you are gone for the day?

I don't expect you to answer these questions, but they are all things you should really think about.

That being said, it can be done... it is just a matter of if you really need or want to do it. Simply taking a dog based on the fact that the guy thinks you look like you like shepherds isn't a wise idea. What will you do if you get the dog and then find out that it has crippling hip dysplasia, or any other multitude of disorders? It may in fact be a GREAT dog, but if that is the case, finding it a home with someone will not be that difficult. Someone with less dogs and more time.

Deanne I never thought about medical problems like HD, I'll look for a limp and or sore joints movements. If he shows that he needs medical attention I won't take him, if I do and it shows up later he goes to the dog pound. Unless he is just a wonderful dog, then I may put money in him. Not raising him forma pup I won't be too attached.

I only have two dogs now I sold the female GSD, to the a neighbor down the street, she is doing fine I miss her. So feed 3 dogs been done before and keeping it away from the other bitch has been done, when I'm not around.

Wouldn't you say that if I got control I can command that they get alone, if I see any kind of aggression. I'll not leave them alone, when I'm not around. I use to could do that with the girls.

I understand that this could turn our sour, thats why I'm asking for your input. If I look at the dog and fall in luv, meaning everything checks then I'll do it.

But you are right I really wanted a black female GSD.

If the dogs white its out.

Ok, well, you just hit a MAJOR pet peeve of mine. If a dog is defective you don't just shuffle it off to the pound. If you are not willing to be responsible for placing the dog if it does not work out, you should not take it. If you want to help this guy out, look up the local rescue group and give him their number.

RESPONSIBILITY-

Don I know of a female black GSD here in oregon that needs a home she is 6 years old and has her CGC, check out this website http://www.oregonlive.com and look under classifieds and pets and do a search on german shepherds.

Men and Women are so different, if it don't work and its not mines, then I have no problem with send it to the pound. I would not ask another person to take care of a dog that is going to be a major financail problem.

I'd be responcible and send it to the pound, were it probably wouldn't be adopted because of its problem and be put sleep. Its not my dog until its part of my family.

The dog has to prove its self worthy, not me. I'm the Alpha remember. I have no sentiment for a weak member of my pack, its the weakest link (unless its family). Example my 5yr old GSD everybody gave up on except me nursed back from sore hips or joints to a now healthy jumping (rarely) dog again. If its in my heart its in my pocket book.

I don't really want to go there (pet peeves and things), I just want advice on what to do when and if I adopt the dog. What has worked for you? and What to try to avoid? I simular situations.


Julia it she sounds like a nice dog, but she is a little far away Oregon. I kinda wanted a 6-1 years old female Sable/Black or Black and Tan.

No white dogs with pink noses, white dogs.

Do the dog a favor and don't adopt it.

If the dog cannot become a member of a family due to temperament or physical problems please do not consider sending it to the pound. It is unfair to the animal and the people working there. There is more then enough unwanted animals to pts. The animal shelters goal is to save animals, give them a second chance for a good life. Why make the dog suffer more by sending it into a srange place where everything familiar to him has been taken away. This only prolongs his time and ends in pts. How can this be humane?

This is the attitude that convinced me to stay away from a career with animals. How can you tell someone you will care for the dog and then dump it at the pound? I don't have a problem with you fostering this dog and trying to find him a spot in rescue or a new family if he doesn't work out, but if you are going to take the dog to the pound you might as well be man enough to just take the dog to your vet and have him euthanized! I am tired of people taking the coward's way out.

This is not the difference between men and women, it is the difference between responsibility and being a coward that would rather make the dog suffer at the pound than give him a humane and less frightening end. If your wife didn't want you anymore would you rather be shot as humanely as possible or dumped in the woods in the middle of winter naked to freeze to death? The dog doesn't deserve to die scared and alone any more than you do. He probably deserves it less, but it would mean you facing reality.