It’s a tale that is becoming all too familiar. 

People see a well-trained German Shepherd doing a stellar job serving and protecting.  This kind of security is appealing so they get a puppy.  There’s nothing in the world more precious than a GSD puppy; they are affectionate and sweet.

But then, it happens.

GSD puppies grow fast and quickly become land sharks with teeth like piranhas.  They are incredibly smart and will not tolerate passive leadership.  The common practice of heaping affection and avoiding discipline rapidly brings disaster as that cute and cuddly puppy becomes a terrorist holding the family hostage.

Lucy is 10-months-old and was purchased with the best of intentions.  She was to provide companionship and security to a newly single woman.  Unfortunately, training was not part of the package and she quickly became a liability.  She found her way to Char Wills and is now with me as a foster to learn how to be the best GSD she can be! 

It’s been about 24 hours and she’s learned to walk politely on her leash, sit on command and ask to go out for a potty break.  She spent most of her first day in her crate getting to know the home team safely separated.  This evening, with the help of a couple of my friends, we introduced them all to great success!   She is eager to make friends, both human and canine. 

I’m looking forward to learning more about this gorgeous girl and helping her embrace structure and discipline all while still loving a good snuggle.

Follow Lucy’s story on this page and visit Char-Wills to complete an application for adoption.

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Let’s talk about socialization.

Or, perhaps it’s more appropriate to talk about the dangers of improper or the lack of socialization.  Puppies learn most of their social skills from their mother and littermates.  If they are born to a healthy, well-nourished mother after having been conceived by two stable, balanced parents, whelped in a secure environment with positive human interaction and no scarcity of resources and stay with their mother for 2-6 weeks after she weens them then you have a decent shot at a well-socialized puppy. 

Sadly, many puppies are the product of puppy mills, accidents, backyard breeding and irresponsible humans.  Despite it being illegal here in Pennsylvania, many puppies are taken from their mother before 8 weeks of age.  They are bred based on convenience and availability of dogs that “look” right and many are viewed as commodities designed to turn a profit.

Coming from any situation, it’s most likely that an inexperienced pet parent will screw it up anyway.  When your puppy comes home you are most likely going to be enthralled and want to hold, cuddle and snuggle.  I get that!  A good amount of affection is necessary.  What’s even more important, though, are boundaries and discipline, structure and guidance.  Although you do need to be aware of immunization schedules, your puppy needs to experience the world ASAP. 

They need to be exposed to people and good dogs, they need to engage in play with other puppies their own age, they need to go places and see things and smell all the incredible scents their little noses can find.  They need to hear loud, scary noises at the side of a confident leader.  They need to wear a collar and be taught to walk on a leash without pulling or lagging behind.  It’s a lot of work.  Bringing home a puppy is much like bringing home an infant human.  They are completely dependent on you to provide their most basic needs and to do so with the intention of raising a healthy, balanced being into adulthood.

How do you go about this? 

Dog parks?  NO!  Dog parks are full of untrained dogs and- even worse- their humans who don’t seem to realize they have awful dogs. 

Playdates and pack walks with older, well-trained dogs?  Maybe.  You must be cognizant of the dangers of exposure to contagious diseases before your puppy is fully vaccinated.  Good hygiene and following your veterinarian’s advice are the way to go.

Puppy class?  YES!  I don’t say this just because I teach a weekly Puppy Pre-School.  In fact, I developed that class as a direct result of witnessing the need for what I’m advocating above. 

My current foster, Brooklyn, was very clearly not socialized properly.  All we know about her for sure is that she was an owner-surrender.  Observing her behaviors and choices leads me to believe she was probably purchased as a puppy, given lots of love and affection but no boundaries, kept isolated with just her people and then became big and boisterous- as German Shepherds are known to do.  Additionally, after what was likely a not-so-good interaction with another dog that was not handled well by either family, it was probably assumed that she, “doesn’t like other dogs,” and was therefore isolated even more which just made the situation worse.  Soon, even a simple walk around the block became a frustrating chore when she began to react to every dog and stranger she saw so there goes the exercise and the only outlet she had for her energy. 

It’s a vicious cycle.

She’s been here for 6 days and this morning we had a huge win!  She spent her first morning potty trip and then about 15 minutes mingling with my pack.  Up until now I’ve been following the crate and rotate protocol.  With the help of Zach, my senior trainer and our interns, we’ve been offering safe greetings but it’s been quite challenging.  I’m feeling quite hopeful this morning, so much more than I have been until now. 

I’m seeing glimmers of hope, there is such a good girl inside of her that wants to come out!  She isn’t riddled with fears and anxieties as so many are, but she’s got some nervous habits.  She’s not a fan of anyone approaching her crate.  I do my best to not allow the other dogs to bother her there- she has the right to security in her own crate.  Oddly, she’s afraid of rocks but Zach is working on that.  She is smart and eager to please, so affectionate and has boundless energy!  I’m looking forward to seeing how she reacts to kids so I can make an informed recommendation regarding her adoptive home.

Most importantly, my team and I are doing everything we can to make up for the socialization she did not get as a young puppy.  Things are looking up!  What she needs now is a family to call her own and take on the challenge of completing her education.  Are you that family?  Please visit the Char-Wills website and complete an application.  Brooklyn comes with lifetime support from Mia Semuta Dog Training which includes attendance at group class for life and the most supportive and loving pack ever assembled. 

It takes a village.

Same game, new player. 

This pretty girl is 13 months old; she was surrendered to a New York City shelter by her family.  We don’t know why but we do know that she was suffering pretty badly from kennel cough and she’s a bit freaked out right now.  It doesn’t appear that she’s ever had any education and she is not a fan of her new roommates.  However, for the next few weeks she’s going to live and train at my house.  We are going to help her put on some much-needed weight, improve her skin condition and develop some amazing manners.  I would love to see her adopted locally so she can remain active in pack activities.  It’s always exciting to watch a new dog blossom but so much more fabulous to take in the fosters who have nobody to call their own and give them hope. 

Welcome to the pack, Brooklyn.

Would you like to be a part of her success story?  Follow her story on this page; if you’re interested in being Brooklyn’s forever family please contact Char-Wills German Shepherd Rescue.

Oh, Annie, to know you is to love you!

This girl amazes me.  I mean, she absolutely blows me away!  I know she has issues because she’s been passed around an awful lot and I’ve seen her shenanigans firsthand.  However, she’s really shown us who she wants to be.

She’s a nervous girl, that’s for sure.  She doesn’t enjoy loud sounds or big crowds, she would prefer play with just a few buddies rather than the whole pack.  It appears she has decided that I am her person and she just wants to lie down wherever I am.

How I would love to be her forever person!

It would not be very responsible of me to take on a third dog, honestly.  My space and my funds are limited and it will interfere with my ability to take on other dogs in need.  But, oh, my heart yearns to be able to look her in the eye and promise she never has to move again.  I want to be able to tell her that she is home.

As I wrestle with my conscious she is learning by leaps and bounds.  Trainer Zach has taken the lead in her obedience training and Intern T-Ro is helping both he and I as I manage her house manners.  She has accepted that not all humans are harmful.  She has embraced pack life and loves having a strong leader.  She is not on any of the meds or supplements that other families have tried to reduce her anxiety.  Instead we have helped her develop confidence through obedience.  It’s a beautiful thing.

Please enjoy the pictures from the last few days; follow Annie’s story on this page and visit Char-Wills to complete an application for adoption.

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I didn’t blog last night because after a crazy long day that included a mid-day headache I was completely beat.  By the way, while I was lying down tending to said headache she jumped up on the couch to snuggle and comfort me.

So sleepy was I, the bottom latch on Annie’s crate did not get buckled last night. I was greeted this morning by an exuberant puppy leaping onto my bed.  This girl…

She continues to make strides each day.  She attended class last night and warmly greeted children, adults and dogs.  She had one grumpy episode with a little dog who was bothering her after she had laid under a picinic table.  I’m delighted to report that it was an appropriate correction that did not escalate and that the other dog backed off unharmed.  Score one for consistent training!

She and Ava were quite sad to see their bestie, Evie, go home with her family last night.  They jumped into the car hoping to let the party rage on!  Do not fret, they will all be together again on Sunday at class.

We have another packed day on tap, I will do better with my evening blog tonight.  Pinky swear.  Please follow Annie’s story on this page and visit Char-Wills to complete an application for adoption.

Tuesday is my “day off.”  Ha  It’s been a long day so this blog will be a quickie.

I began my day with a text from one of our pack moms; we lost a pup yesterday.  She was about a year-and-a-half and one of our superstar graduates but after a fun-filled afternoon at the creek with a friend she collapsed and passed away at the ER.  Maybe heat-stroke, maybe secondary drowning, maybe an electrolyte imbalance, maybe an undiagnosed heart condition- the doctors were not clear.  It cast a somber note on the day for all of us.

Annie seemed to understand that I was hurting.  She was extra affectionate all day.  She had her lesson with Zach, worked on her house manners, went for a pack walk with friends and continued to learn and grow.  She even got a mani/pedi today and tried to help with the laundry!  In between it all, she was loving and attentive.  Just now she thought about having a flip flop snack- she is still a puppy.

We are learning that she is a diesel engine- she really needs to warm up.  She so desperately wants to love and to be loved and she’s smart.  So smart.  She learns everything we offer her in record time.  Recall, one of the most important skills a dog can have, was on the agenda on this fine Tuesday.  She aced it.

Tomorrow will bring more challenges, more adventures and more success, I am sure.  Tonight, please remember that our time with these precious babies is fleeting.  Rub those bellies a minute longer before you say goodnight. 

Please enjoy the pictures of Annie’s day; follow her story on this page and visit Char-Wills to complete an application for adoption.

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