German Shepherd Rescue: Filling A Need

People give up their German Shepherds for a variety of reasons. The German Shepherd is a large breed, and some owners who move to smaller quarters feel that it would be unfair to move the dog to a confined area. Other owners, through circumstances beyond their control, may move from owning their own home to renting an apartment in a building with restrictions on the size of dog permitted. Other owners grow ill or die, and there is no one among their friends or family members willing to take on the care of a German Shepherd.

Whatever the reason, hundreds of German Shepherds find new homes every year through the efforts of German Shepherd rescue organizations. German Shepherd rescue groups get to know each dog they place and each new home that is ready for a dog. The groups match abandoned dogs with new homes where they can thrive and be loved. Don't be afraid to take a leadership role with a German Shepherd that you get from a rescue group. The German Shepherd is a confident breed whose friendship must be earned, and your dog will be relieved to turn the leadership role in the relationship over to you.

Adult German Shepherds can weigh up to 65 lbs. It is essential that owners be able to control these powerful dogs, and they should receive obedience training at an early age, preferably starting at eight to ten weeks old. If an adult dog has never been trained, or if the dog is disobedient, the rescue dog owners should take obedience courses with the dog. A German Shepherd will thrive on the structure and discipline of the course, and the owner will find the course a useful device for establishing who is boss in the pet-owner relationship. Obedience training, combined with vigorous exercise, will resolve behavior issues in most German Shepherd dogs. If you have a German Shepherd that you must give up, contact a German Shepherd rescue group near you. Your dog must be current in its vaccinations and health care, and it must undergo a health check and personality evaluation. You will be asked to pay a modest fee to cover the expenses associated with taking your dog.

If you think that adopting a German Shepherd rescue dog might be right for you, contact your local German Shepherd group to find out what kind of dog might be right for you. You must be an adult and have the consent of all adults in your household before you will be considered as an adoptive parent of a German Shepherd rescue dog. If you rent your home, your landlord must provide written approval for you to adopt a dog.

The German Shepherd rescue group will match you with a dog and place the dog temporarily in your foster care to see how you and the dog get along. You will be required to pay a fee commensurate with the age and health of the dog you adopt. Charging adoption fees reinforces the commitment inherent in adopting a dog and eliminates would-be adopters who are not willing to make personal sacrifices to help the adoption succeed.

Jan Ryan is a German Shepherd breeder who processes adoption applications for German Shepherd rescue groups. German Shepherd rescue groups offer homeless German Shepherd rescue dogs a fresh chance at finding a loving family. They provide a valuable service by matching available dogs to owners who want the companionship of a German Shepherd. Finding quality German Shepherd information is as easy as find articles like this on the web, in newspapers or at the library.