[NewbieShepherdGirl]

Not sure if this is the right place, and if not I apologize.

Before I post this I'd like to say I love my baby very much. I wouldn't trade her for anything in the word. That being said, her temperament is such that she should have never been. She is fearful. She is fearful of people, of loud noises, of being alone, of not having food, etc. She is a dog that has to be managed. She is not a danger to others, but she is a huge danger to herself, and that makes her hard on me. I love her and I want her not only to be safe, but to feel safe. I don't think the best training could 100% make that happen.

So onto the story. Tonight I took Sasha out for her last potty of the night. I was sitting on my "porch" (a little cement slab right outside my sliding glass door). It was about 12:30 at night, so I just had my foot on her 20ft leed. She's pretty good about staying with me, and has been pretty good about coming when called, especially when tired (and at this late she's always pretty tired). So I was sitting there having a smoke and watching tv on my laptop when all the sudden I heard a few consistant loud noises. It sounded similar to gunfire, but I'm pretty sure it was just a car or something that was having issues. Regardless, she panicked and before I could even say anything she bolted. I stood up, started calling her and proceeded to trip, causing me to scrap my knee, hand, and lose one of my slippers (which consequently caused me to scrape my foot). As soon as I could get up I started running after her and screamed, "Sasha!". She paused for about half a second which enabled me to step on the end of her leash and bring her back.

Now I know some of the fault lies with me. I should have had a better hold on the leash. I was careless and if something had happened to her I would have never forgiven myself, but this is a dog that is so smart, and is usually highly obedient but her fear causes all else to leave her mind. I don't know her origins, as I adopted her, but I would be willing to bet everything I had that she didn't come from any place reputable. As I said, I wouldn't trade her for the world, and I would die for this girl, but the struggles we've had, and the fear that she lives with, I wouldn't wish on any owner or any dog. I guess this is a little rant because I thought I could have lost my girl tonight, but as someone who almost bought a puppy from the newspaper I just hope that someone who was in the position I was in would take this into consideration before the support a breeder that doesn't care about breeding. That has two pretty dogs and breeds them.

Sasha is gorgeous. If that were the only thing on was worried about then she would be one of the most breed worthy shepherds out there, but it's not, and I hate watching her on video pacing for 3+ hours when I leave, or hearing thunder or gunfire or a car backfiring or fireworks and go into a fear so deep that she can't stop shaking. It's not just about the people that are going to have to deal with these dogs, I'd deal with anything just so she could have a good life and never look back, but it's about the dogs too. She doesn't deserve to live like this, and I know her fear isn't even as bad as some. We have such great power when it comes to animals, and it's unfortunate to see what an abuse of our power can look like in such wonderful creatures. She will live a life of fear because someone decided they could make a buck, and then whoever had her before me decided they could beat the crap out of her and make it worse.

Don't buy from backyard breeders. The dogs deserve better.