German Shepherd Dog Forums - View Single Post - In process of adopting a rescue GSD with bad past

Cerulean · 02-28-2013, 07:26 PM

Hi all! I'm Natalie, and I've been searching a bunch of stuff on your forum, trying to soak in as much information as possible. I've also researched online and bought a couple books on GSD's and rehabilitation. Basically, my question is if you have any advice for someone like me who's adopting a rescue GSD named Rocky (guessed to be around 14-18 months of age) who lived the first year of his life in a backyard... basically, unexposed to people and in harsh conditions. His "owner" was a breeder who didn't care about their dogs, and did it very unprofessionally. Once he found out that Rocky and his brother, Duke, had hip dysplasia in both hips, they threw them in a shelter so they didn't have to deal with the "problem" anymore.

To make the long story short, both Rocky and Duke were rescued and got the surgeries needed... Rocky's brother, Duke, eventually got adopted and now Rocky is in the process of becoming an added family member to my home (after the rescue does the home/yard check not this Sunday, but the next Sunday on the 10th of March... YAY!) which will be exciting.

My question to you guys is if you have any recommendations for books to read, sites to see, and how to handle a dog that is very timid and needs rehabilitation. So far, these are the sites and books I've looked at:

dog behaviour, dog obedience, dog trainers, puppy training, dog rescue assistance, canine behaviour, canine obedience by Jan Fennell the Dog Listener Amichien Bonding

Guide To Living With & Training A Fearful Dog | Fearful Dogs

On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals: Turid Rugaas: Amazon.com: Kindle Store

Scaredy Dog! Understanding & Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog: Ali Brown: Amazon.com: Kindle Store

Any other advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much. Oh, and here is Rocky (Soon to be renamed Soja... got it from my favorite Reggae Band. Their music is amazing!)

SCGSR Available Dog

^His info was written before he got his second hip surgery which happened last month (January) and he's been recovering. He all ready had swim therapy as well as SENSE sessions (which helps rehabilitate the mind and replace anxiety with confidence).

Ok, I'm done. I'm just so excited as this will be my first GSD, which has always been a dream dog of mine.

02-28-2013, 07:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cerulean New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 12	In process of adopting a rescue GSD with bad past Hi all! I'm Natalie, and I've been searching a bunch of stuff on your forum, trying to soak in as much information as possible. I've also researched online and bought a couple books on GSD's and rehabilitation. Basically, my question is if you have any advice for someone like me who's adopting a rescue GSD named Rocky (guessed to be around 14-18 months of age) who lived the first year of his life in a backyard... basically, unexposed to people and in harsh conditions. His "owner" was a breeder who didn't care about their dogs, and did it very unprofessionally. Once he found out that Rocky and his brother, Duke, had hip dysplasia in both hips, they threw them in a shelter so they didn't have to deal with the "problem" anymore. To make the long story short, both Rocky and Duke were rescued and got the surgeries needed... Rocky's brother, Duke, eventually got adopted and now Rocky is in the process of becoming an added family member to my home (after the rescue does the home/yard check not this Sunday, but the next Sunday on the 10th of March... YAY!) which will be exciting. My question to you guys is if you have any recommendations for books to read, sites to see, and how to handle a dog that is very timid and needs rehabilitation. So far, these are the sites and books I've looked at: dog behaviour, dog obedience, dog trainers, puppy training, dog rescue assistance, canine behaviour, canine obedience by Jan Fennell the Dog Listener Amichien Bonding Guide To Living With & Training A Fearful Dog \| Fearful Dogs On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals: Turid Rugaas: Amazon.com: Kindle Store On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals: Turid Rugaas: Amazon.com: Kindle Store Scaredy Dog! Understanding & Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog: Ali Brown: Amazon.com: Kindle Store Scaredy Dog! Understanding & Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog: Ali Brown: Amazon.com: Kindle Store Any other advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much. Oh, and here is Rocky (Soon to be renamed Soja... got it from my favorite Reggae Band. Their music is amazing!) SCGSR Available Dog ^His info was written before he got his second hip surgery which happened last month (January) and he's been recovering. He all ready had swim therapy as well as SENSE sessions (which helps rehabilitate the mind and replace anxiety with confidence). Ok, I'm done. I'm just so excited as this will be my first GSD, which has always been a dream dog of mine.