Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions regarding assessing a potential GSD from a shelter. Particularily, I'm wondering about sizing up temperment. I did stop in my local "pound" today, and saw a very handsome GSD. He was picked up as a stray. He was somewhat reserved in his kennel, but did look and me, with a relaxed face, made eye contact (not, hard staring) and wagged his tail. I did take him out back on a leash. He was naturally distracted, but when I called him he would quickly turn and trot in the direction I was walking. After a few minutes, he was kind of leaning against me while I petted him. He was panting a bit, and did softly whine. He is underweight, and his coat is very rough.
I'm eventually looking for a potential second dog. My present dog is also from the shelter. I've worked with her daily. We take agility classes for fun. I have found Ed's Basic Dog Obedience quite helpful with her. She has turned ut to be a GREAT dog.

I would just appreciate some feedback from all the GSD folks. My present dog is a mix, most likely GSD & sheltie/bordercollie mix...(our best guess) definitely seems to have some herding blood in her.

Thanks so much,

Linda

He sounds like a potentially good dog, but it's really hard sometimes to tell at a shelter. Most dog's don't behave 100% in their true manner due to stress issues and the strange situation. In fact, I've heard that many shelter dogs come home and there is a month long 'honeymoon' period where they are on their best behavior until their more 'real' temperament starts coming out. It's one of the reasons Rescue Groups are good to use because the dogs are in someones home for awhile and you can get a better true feel for them.

That said, can you bring someone with you to the shelter who really is more familiar with dogs? How about your dog trainer? Or do you have a friend that may really be a GSD person? IS there a rescue group in your area you can contact and have one of their members come to the shelter and help with your evaluation?

He sounds like he could make a great pet for you, but like Jenn said, there are a few unknowns with shelter dogs.

That said, my brother adopted a 2-3 y/o GSD from a local shelter last fall. He had heartworm and had to be treated for that. He recovered nicely, and is a super pet dog. Logan's got an even, mellow personality, he listens well and is smart and responsive.

I think bringing someone along to help you evaluate him is your best bet.

It is hard to tell with shelter dogs. On thing you could do is find out if anyone at the shelter has spent a lot of time with the dog. If anyone has, they may be able to give you a good idea of what the dog is like. Unfortunately not all shelter people are honest about the dogs, so you will have to judge whether what they tell you sounds realistic. When I evaluate shelter dogs, I take them out, give them some treats, pet them all over, pick up their paws, look at their teeth, and handle their ears and tail. If you feel pretty confident with the dog you can give it something like a pig ear and then gently try to take it back. You should also bring your own dog to see if they get along okay. This will give you a pretty good idea of what the dog is like, but as said in a previous post you really won't know until you get the dog home and it has settled in.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I was thinking of going to see this dog again tomorrow, bringing some treats, and just working with him a little bit. Yes I could bring my dog trainer, and contacting a rescue group might be an options also. My present dog is from the shelter, and she has had some issues to work through. I don't think she had many parameters required of her, and she seems to have lacked some socialization. It is because of her though, that its been necessary to learn more about behaviors, training methods, etc. I love working, and building the relationships! And yes, the two would definitely have to get along. I know there is great info. on this site, about bringing a second dog into the house. I do not take it lightly.
I will definitely interact with him some more, and take it from there.

Thanks so much for your time!!

Linda

I think there is some temperment testing you can do with dogs in a shelter as well. We did some basics whilst looking for a suitable dog for our apartment. There were two Boxers I was considering, and after the basic temperment tests, we had a clear winner (against our personal standards, of course).

The biggest issues for me were dominance and agression, which the dog displayed and the bitch did not. You can do things like have someone hold a lead while you lift all four paws in turn, check ears, and check teeth. You can also squeeze gently but firmly between the dogs toes on the paw and see how they react.

Eimear didn't *like* any of this but tolerated all of it with minimal pulling away and no agression response at all. The male dog really resisted and I was unwilling to check his teeth after he refused to be rolled over to display his belly.

I don't know if any of that is helpful, but in the shelter environment, we feel we made the best assesment we were able to make without outside help.

We have gotten our last 3 dogs from shelters and are happy with all three - GSD/Huskey, GSD and Rottie pup

My family volunteers each weekend at our local shelter, clean cages, bath animals, walk dogs. Dogs at the shelter I find to be generally quite good tempered, although most have no obediance training. It can be very hard to get a read on a dog, especially ones that are not handeling the stress very well. Having said that, if you can spend an hour with the dog outside, or in a quiet room at the pound (not that there are any quiet rooms), you will get a generally good read on a dog. They just need some time to detoxify from the environment.

My experience with shelters is that they are honest, and want to have good placements - which means letting you know if they are dog agressive, cat aggresive, etc. People aggresive dogs get put down.

Personally, if what you want is a pet, a shelter dog is the way to go. If you want PP, or schutz, etc, then I would shop for the best breeder.

Shelters have lots of great pets. I have lots of faith in the animals. Now thier previous owners, some of them should be dropped from the gene pool.

 Quote:

We have gotten our last 3 dogs from shelters and are happy with all three - GSD/Huskey, GSD and Rottie pup

My family volunteers each weekend at our local shelter, clean cages, bath animals, walk dogs. Dogs at the shelter I find to be generally quite good tempered, although most have no obediance training. It can be very hard to get a read on a dog, especially ones that are not handeling the stress very well. Having said that, if you can spend an hour with the dog outside, or in a quiet room at the pound (not that there are any quiet rooms), you will get a generally good read on a dog. They just need some time to detoxify from the environment.

My experience with shelters is that they are honest, and want to have good placements - which means letting you know if they are dog agressive, cat aggresive, etc. People aggresive dogs get put down.

Personally, if what you want is a pet, a shelter dog is the way to go. If you want PP, or schutz, etc, then I would shop for the best breeder.

Shelters have lots of great pets. I have lots of faith in the animals. Now thier previous owners, some of them should be dropped from the gene pool.

I couldn't agree more. I also know a couple of police service dogs who were removed from shelters for their new training and careers.

If a person wanting a pet is unsure of his/her own ability to gauge temperament, taking an experienced handler or trainer along is a great plan. Big point: Take your time. Be as sure as you can be.

I just came from visiting this dog again. He seems real nice. He lets me touch him ALL over, pull gently on tail, ears and feet and does not do a thing. He seems distracted by the fact that he needs OUT and I bet needs a good long walk/run. Apparently, he did jump out of his kennel!! But his baseline seems pretty mellow, while lounging in his kennel on the bed. I think he kind of recognized me from the other day, and came up to see me at the gate. Walks nicely in and out of the kennel. My gut feeling is that this dog needs to be challenged physically and mentally. But he does seem real nice. I forgot to check, but I think he might not be neutered. I wonder if he would be less inclined to jump out of his yard, if he was receiving obedience, exercise, and was neutered. Any take on this?? I can't stop thinking out this damned dog!!
He would have to get along with my present pooch. The GSD seems indifferent to the other dogs at the shelter. He just keeps pulling to the gate...smart...he knows which way is out!!
Anyway, I was there again today, reassessing him, and I like him more.
Now....I just have to break the news to my husband

Thanks for the input!!

Linda

Linda, all the shelters & rescues I've ever gone through insist on spaying/neutering before placing a dog in its new home, so this will probably be part of the adoption requirements -- That said, I hope it all works out for you to give this GSD a second chance in life, so best of luck <:-)