Eddie is a 1 year old German Shepherd. He enjoys playing fetch and tug and going for walks. He seems to be a generally quiet dog requiring only moderate stimulation for a shepherd and could do well in an apartment setting as long as he gets out for moderate exercise daily. He is very crate trained. Ed would make a great adventure companion for hiking and walking. Ed would love a home that allows him to be a pet and enjoys his very playful nature. Ed has never had issues meeting new people and has met over a dozen people in foster, but it is always respectful to let any dog meet new people in nonconfrontational manners i.e. new people should not hug Ed or put their face in his face as this can be seen as confrontational. Ed would love for new people to throw his ball, but also does well if they dont and will solicit attention from new people though he will probably go look for a toy for them to throw.

Ed has been in board and train with me (his original foster) for months and has made huge progress with his previous behavior concerns. His recall is very reliable in the fenced yard to assist in his cooperation with coming in from the yard and around high level distractions (water being sprayed-he loves to play with the hose, but that is not always helpful when we are trying to use the hose). He used to become very frustrated when water was being sprayed and he was left behind a gate on the deck (he would bark incessantly and try to jump over the gate/deck which is not safe). He now can observe water being sprayed and wait patiently for a chance to play with the hose water or for a fetch session.

He has not guarded any objects or resting places since returning to foster/training. This occurred in a foster home on two occasions in spring 2022 which I was not present for. We believe his displays of snapping and growling were actually a result of Ed perceiving that the human was being confrontational towards him regarding a small object and the bed on two occasions and Ed was responding to the confrontation, but not with the intention to resource guard. Ed hasnt minded his foster touching objects he has nor minded being approached when resting. Ed has also learned more reliable skills of sit, down, stay, and coming when called to move away from objects he cant have as well as cooperatively coming off of resting places when asked i.e. beds/couches. 

Ed has become much more agreeable about having collars put on him/putting his head into collars/slip leads. Again, we dont think the previous issues he had with this was due to handling issues specifically, but because he perceived these interactions as confrontational. Calm persistence in asking Ed to put his head into collars/leads has been helpful in gaining his cooperation with these necessities. Ed will still need to be muzzled at vet visits if intrusive examination is needed i.e. looking in his ears or nail trims as he doesnt enjoy such types of handling and may snap. However, he is getting better with ears and nails and understanding that these activities are needed wellness item using treats.

Ed remains non-reactive towards other dogs, however we dont think he has the best social skills with other dogs so we still recommend that he be the only dog in the home. He tends to read situations incorrectly and can take offense to behaviors other dogs show even though the other dog isnt doing anything wrong. He could improve his social skills with the services of his trainer post adoption if an adopter would like to, but this would be challenging to accomplish immediately in a home with another dog. He will likely never be a candidate for going to dog parks or attending events where he would be interacting with many other dogs i.e. family parties. However, he can absolutely pass other dogs on walks (i.e. hiking), be calm while other dogs pass him with a little distance (i.e. laying at a patio for an outdoor meal), and observe dogs in an environment without issues (i.e. walks in a park). Ed does not mind when dogs pass his crate in his foster environment and passes other dogs crates without any issue.

Ed has been fostered with children aged 6 and 9 years old. Ed loves playing with toys with these children and I have observed him interacting with these children on many occasions and he has done very well. That being said, if Ed is adopted to a home with children, the children should not be younger than this age range, the adults in the home should be experienced with child-dog interactions, should agree to supervise all child-dog interactions, and the child should be appropriate when interacting with dogs and respect dogs personal space. This includes any visiting children, otherwise Ed can relax in his crate in another room when unpredictable or especially young children or babies visit. Ed is eligible for reduced cost boarding for life with his foster/trainer if adopted locally to ensure he always has good boarding placement should his adopters need boarding.

Ed is neutered and utd on vaccinations. Ed was treated for an ear infection in spring 2022 then received a clean bill of health post treatment. Ed is not a candidate for working placement as he doesn’t seem to have a strong affinity to training let alone a job.

Due to Ed being in-process for behavioral improvements, we are asking applicants to first foster Ed for a set period of time to ensure he is a good match for your home. After said time period, we ask that you decide if he is a good match or perhaps would do better in a different home. You may decide at any time during the foster to adopt period that Ed needs to return to the rescue at that is OK! We will be happy that you gave him a try and a field trip. (We just ask that you agree to provide personal transportation to/from the rescue NJ location and your home should you need to return Ed.) 

Please apply "to adopt" on the WTFR website to foster to adopt Ed (adopt app versus foster app).
Questions: dianeorenchuk@gmail.com