Doggy Dilemma

Jesse's pigs

Jesse's pigs

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For those of you who don't know i love German Sheperds or Alsations as they are otherwise known. Like LOVE LOVE THEM!

Well I've been working at a kennels and cattery recently - one that looks after pets while the owners are away on holiday etc. (Though there are two ten year old cats - Benji and Suki- in their care who need a home). Anyway since working here there is a gorgeous 4 year old GSD called: Milo. And he is absolutely stunning.

Anyway I recently found out that Milo's owners don't actually want him- his 'dad' has nothing to do with him and his 'mum' can't control him. He is admitted to the kennels alot - in fact he was meant to go home last month but they rang up and extended the time! And let's just say he isn't too fond of the kennels...

Apparently he has 'problems' but no one seems to be able to say what those problems are. He doesn't seem aggressive- I've been cuddling him and smuggling him treats to which I get a lick and a cuddle. And he paws when I try to leave- don't my heart burst! He has growled once I won't lie. The boss had changed him to a new kennel because he kept weeing during the night and it wasn't as easy to clean in the kennel he was currently in so he decided to move him to a new one. When they let Milo out of the exercise pen he obviously went back to his old kennel and was confused when the boss was telling him off. So the boss grabbed him and Milo growled. That was it. I do know that he isn't always friendly towards other dogs and he isn't as trained/stimulated as GSD should be. He knows sit and is very clever. If I go over and tell him to cease his barking he will.

Nows the bit I'm at a loss. The owners want him to be pts. A healthy four year old baby. Now I know (hope) that no vet would do that but if his problems are bad then no rescue will take him on if he doesn't pass the assessment. And I understand that they are full so not alot of time to adress those problems. I just don't know what to do. I understand it's not really my business at all but I wouldn't forgive myself if I did nothing and he was pts.
 
it makes me mad when people take on a puppy, dont train it or look after it properly or exercise it enough and then label it as being a problem dog :mal::mal:.

Poor dog having to be in kennels so much without enough exercise or mental stimulation and then to be told off when it tried to go back to the kennel it was use to! No wonder it growled at this point.

I feel sure a behaviorist would be able to work with this dog, then it would just need an experienced home.

Based on what you have said about the dog I cant imagine any vet putting it to sleep.

Good dog rescues have canine behaviorists working for them.

I would contact the Dogs Trust for advise.
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
it makes me mad when people take on a puppy, dont train it or look after it properly or exercise it enough and then label it as being a problem dog :mal::mal:.

Poor dog having to be in kennels so much without enough exercise or mental stimulation and then to be told off when it tried to go back to the kennel it was use to! No wonder it growled at this point.

I feel sure a behaviorist would be able to work with this dog, then it would just need an experienced home.

Based on what you have said about the dog I cant imagine any vet putting it to sleep.

Good dog rescues have canine behaviorists working for them.

I would contact the Dogs Trust for advise.
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Thank you for your response he really is a lovely boy and I know for a fact that he could make a lovely conpanion- hell I want him! We (the kennel) would totally train him or at least teach him some things but as the boss said- they didn't ask us to change him so it we can't exactly. And yes I've been looking at rescues - Ive found one that solely takes GSD
 
I volunteer walking dogs and know that with all the will in the world it is simply not possible to give dogs in kennels all that they need. It is so sad. At least if he is signed over to a good rescue who have some time to work with him his days in kennels should be numbered:)
 
Poor little mite! That's awful. I agree, too many people take on German shepards and don't train them and just see them as a toy.

Getting a behaviourist would definitely be the thing to do and a good quiet household and dedicated owner. He needs someone who understands him. It's also remarkable what a change in food can do to help with behaviour.

Hope they allow him to go to an understanding rescue, it's lovely what you're doing :)
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
Poor little mite! That's awful. I agree, too many people take on German shepards and don't train them and just see them as a toy.

Getting a behaviourist would definitely be the thing to do and a good quiet household and dedicated owner. He needs someone who understands him. It's also remarkable what a change in food can do to help with behaviour.

Hope they allow him to go to an understanding rescue, it's lovely what you're doing :)
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I would adore a GSD so I just find it hard to see someone has a beautiful beautiful GSD and they don't even want him- HOW?! but yes while I'm here and he's there I want to help him and make his stay with us as nice as possible. I'm definitely going to look into rescues- I mean I don't mind bringing him into a home environment and contacting a trainer myself because then I could be definitely sure he was getting what he needs- but if he is really dog aggressive then there's the huge problem that I already have my lovely little girl: Molly. He's just on dry food at the minute.
 
GS are the best and we've always had them. They are the most intelligent breed and will repay you with extreme loyalty.
Try asking on farms or private businesses to see if they need a guard dog.
We have guard dogs on the nursery and I liaise with a local vet nurse who lets me know if there's a dog needing a special home or even one that will be destroyed because of potential aggressive behaviour and we look at rehoming them to work.

One of our current dogs (Rottie x Akita) came to us from a family who didn't train him and didn't want him so put a free ad up locally. We have experience with tricky dogs and there are no public/children about to add problems to the issue.
We prefer aggressive or untrained dogs that can bond with just two handlers.
The dogs have a great time running free and are working for a living too. Plus there is no better deterrent than a good guard dog.
There will be someone out there for him if you can persuade the owners.
Good luck
 
Jesse's pigs said:
I would adore a GSD so I just find it hard to see someone has a beautiful beautiful GSD and they don't even want him- HOW?! but yes while I'm here and he's there I want to help him and make his stay with us as nice as possible. I'm definitely going to look into rescues- I mean I don't mind bringing him into a home environment and contacting a trainer myself because then I could be definitely sure he was getting what he needs- but if he is really dog aggressive then there's the huge problem that I already have my lovely little girl: Molly. He's just on dry food at the minute.
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It's difficult as they're such strong dogs, you can't just pick them up if something goes wrong.

Are they willing to surrender him then?

What kind of dry? I'm a massive nutrition nerd so I always recommend grain free foods, helps with hyperactivity and studies have shown that it can also reduce aggression.

Another thing to consider is he could be in pain? Has a vet seen him?
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
It's difficult as they're such strong dogs, you can't just pick them up if something goes wrong.

Are they willing to surrender him then?

What kind of dry? I'm a massive nutrition nerd so I always recommend grain free foods, helps with hyperactivity and studies have shown that it can also reduce aggression.

Another thing to consider is he could be in pain? Has a vet seen him?
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I know he is up to date with everything at the vets because the kennel needs proof that the pet is healthy before they let them stay so the owner must bring in a book or some kind of evidence that it is the case.

I belive the dry food isn't grain free but to be honest I couldn't be sure because the owners have it in a plastic container with no label- it is very dark though.

That's what I'm unsure about. I don't know if they have actually ever contacted a rescue yet or if they are just having him stay here at the kennels- almost as if he doesn't actually exist.
 
Redribbon said:
Sounds like he was scared when he growled:(
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Yes I think that is exactly what happened- he was confused. I don't agree with how the boss approached it but then I understand him being wary if the owners haven't said these so called 'problems'.
 
The daughter of a lady I used to work with handed her GS to the police to be restrained as a Police Dog as he was too much for her to handle have you thought about that?
 
Jesse's pigs said:
I know he is up to date with everything at the vets because the kennel needs proof that the pet is healthy before they let them stay so the owner must bring in a book or some kind of evidence that it is the case.

I belive the dry food isn't grain free but to be honest I couldn't be sure because the owners have it in a plastic container with no label- it is very dark though.

That's what I'm unsure about. I don't know if they have actually ever contacted a rescue yet or if they are just having him stay here at the kennels- almost as if he doesn't actually exist.
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It's so difficult when it's someone else's animal, hopefully something will be sorted out for his best interests x
 
Are you thinking of taking him home? There are loads of online courses you can take in dog behaviour and dog psychology even basic dog training you may be interested in. Could you take molly to work and let them meet each other and see how they get on? It's awful how animals get treated, thrown away like a piece of rubbish when they don't live up to the owners expectations.
 
Stayc1989 said:
Are you thinking of taking him home? There are loads of online courses you can take in dog behaviour and dog psychology even basic dog training you may be interested in. Could you take molly to work and let them meet each other and see how they get on? It's awful how animals get treated, thrown away like a piece of rubbish when they don't live up to the owners expectations.
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I am trying to get him home with me even if it is just to train him up a bit before finding him a more compatible home where he'll be given what he really needs. TRUST ME I AM REALLY TRYING TO TAKE HIM! (He is just toooo beautiful). I didn't work the weekend and saw him again Monday- still hating the kennels. And yes as far as I can see the only problem would be if he didn't get on with Molly. Because I would be more then happy to train him and give him the stimulation etc he needs.
 
How old is Molly, & what breed.
I don't particular like GSD but I've got to admit he looks a very nice dog.
If he has had problems they must be worse now he has been dumped in a kennel, he must be so confused, being in there all the time.
I must admit I would have him home in a blink of an eye.
Have you got family, you have to consult. I'd make sure I had him out before your boss has to have him put PTS
 
Jesse's pigs said:
Hey that's what I thought! I thought I was going crazy but yeah he doesn't seem as big as some that I've seen...
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Do you know how much he weighs? That's normally a good indicator. Some are smaller than others of course but he looks almost collie sized in that pic bless him! :)) Perhaps a mix? One of my mates has got a really big Shepard but he thinks he's a small dog XD
 
Tiamolly123 said:
How old is Molly, & what breed.
I don't particular like GSD but I've got to admit he looks a very nice dog.
If he has had problems they must be worse now he has been dumped in a kennel, he must be so confused, being in there all the time.
I must admit I would have him home in a blink of an eye.
Have you got family, you have to consult. I'd make sure I had him out before your boss has to have him put PTS
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My boss won't be putting him to sleep- he'd never do that. We're just a boarding kennels where it seems the owners think they can just dump him and almost forget he exists. Yeah there is family i have to talk to first it wouldn't be as easy as me just bringing him home unfortunately. :( Molly is a Springer Spaniel X terrier and is only small. Not small small - about the size of a beagle. She's 10. And as far as I can see the only issue with him is his dog aggression. He knows the commands like sit and lie down, isn't aggressive with people, hasn't shown any food aggression etc. Just noisy and doesn't like most of the dogs.
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
Do you know how much he weighs? That's normally a good indicator. Some are smaller than others of course but he looks almost collie sized in that pic bless him! :)) Perhaps a mix? One of my mates has got a really big Shepard but he thinks he's a small dog XD
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No I don't know how much he weighs haha and I belive he is pedigree- at least that's what the kennels were told by the owners.
 
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