Adopting an adult GSD.
 

Hello everyone,
I am wanting to adopt a GSD and I need some advice from someone who has experience with this matter. We recently lost our white german shepherd and raised her from a puppy. She had zero aggression and had no behavioral problems. I have been looking into a young female in a shelter and I am waiting for more information on her. I asked how she got to the shelter and they said it was a bite case (she had puppies). I assume that the owners were backyard breeders and probably didn't socialize with her very often. I really want to adopt but I am afraid of getting in over my head. I have a small dog, 2 cats, and a daughter who is going to want to love all over her. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

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2 small dogs and 2 cats not to mention kids? Get a puppy and raise her with that. I don't think I'd attempt an adult dog in that situation.

Yeah. I'm all for adopting but not neccessarily adopting an adult dog with bite issues into a house with a child and two little cats, a little dog.....not without having had an animal behaviorist evaluate her. Thing about a big dog-or big anything-they don't HAVE to want to hurt you to do so anyway. A bite from a gsd isn't anything to play around with and if you don't know anything about the dog....I just think it's a bad situation to bring the dog into.

Jelpy

I adopted an adult GSD from the shelter, when my kids were young. She was a wonderful family pet. I understand not wanting to take a risk on a shelter dog with a bite history. A lot depends on why she bit and how bad it was. It she nipped someone, because she had puppies and was being protective of them, that is understandable.

You could ask someone from a local rescue to go to the shelter with you to help you evaluate her. Since you do have a small dog, 2 cats and a daughter, you have to be careful. If you wanted to go the adult shepherd route, you could adopt from a rescue. A good rescue evaluates their dogs and can match you and your family to the right dog.

Good luck!

Re: Adopting an adult GSD.
 

My daughter is 11 and I have one small dog. But I am concerned about a large dog especially a Shepherd that I didn't raise. My husband is very good with training dogs he trained our shepherd and she was wonderful very obedient. I guess my question is how well do adult shepherds adjust to new situations and can bad behavior be fixed to the point where they can be trusted?

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You can find great adult dogs in rescue who will do well with a variety of situations.

However, I would not want to set that dog up for failure and fear that could be the case without a good eval and time in a foster home to see how she does on a long-term basis in that foster home, being exposed 24/7 to kids, etc, as others are saying.

Re: Adopting an adult GSD.
 

Thank you all for your advice.

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Re: Adopting an adult GSD.
 

I am going to see what kind of information about her the shelter can give me. I will keep you posted. And I also have submitted our information to a GSD rescue group.

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It all depends on the dog. Rescues take in adult GSDs from shelters every day. These dogs can and do adjust to new situations. It is true that some dogs have issues. Some are easily correctable. Some can only be managed. As Jelpy suggested, you would really want to have the shelter GSD evaluated, before even considering her. The dog bit someone. Not knowing the circumstances, it's hard to say, but many would not take the risk. Unless there was a very clear reason - such as the dog had been hit by a car and was in excruciating pain when it bit, a rescue won't even take on a dog with a bite history.

I have three rescues, all adopted as adults. We have had our trials and tribulations, but nothing that we haven't overcome as yet. But you need to decide whether you are really up for the task for this particular dog.

I am concerned that it's a bite case and you have all the small animals and a child...and you may be a little anxious on top of it all (which the dog will pick up on). If you do decide to go with this animal, you are starting in the right place. You will need to do your research before you bring her home. She could turn out to be a sweet girl, who only bit one time when she was under intense stress and fear...but it will be your responsibility to ensure she does NOT have another opportunity. That will take some committment.

Think through the scenarios. How will you introduce her into your home? Here's a starting point someone else on the forum has shared before, the 2-week Shutdown: http://www.bigdogsbighearts.com/2_week_shutdown0001.pdf.

Say you take all the proper steps to introduce the dog slowly, and things look good, and then all of a sudden things go south. What's your emergency plan if she bites again? The small dog, a cat, worst case scenario, the child?

Do you have the time and resources to commit to socializing and training the dog? She is likely going to need a good deal of rehabilitation. You need to be prepared to get professional training help.

When I adopted my first adult rescue, I took almost three months and looked at literally dozens of dogs. With the next two dogs, I had to make same-day decisions, because they were in such a large seizure and needed emergecy foster care. But then again, there were hundreds of dogs being seized and I spent 4-5 hours watching the dogs before I chose the ones I thought would fit me best.

This girl might be perfect for you, but don't feel guilty if you pass and keep looking. Sadly, there are plenty of dogs in rescue to choose from.

I am a huge supporter of rescue, and never want to discourage it. But I speak first-hand when I say it can be a life-changing decision, and want to encourage you not to bite off more than you can chew ;)

And of course, if you decide not to adopt her, there's nothing stopping you from being her advocate and cheerleader and participating in her search for a forever home while you continue to look for your own perfect match.