NOTE:  Benson is currently in boarding due to lack of qualified foster homes and hates it. 
He desperately needs a foster or adoptive home with no other pets ASAP.   Email mogsrescue@gmail.com if you can help

BENSON is a hunka-hunka-burnin’-love young male whose pretty much steals your heart right away and is anxiously searching for a forever family after being abandoned by his pandemic buyers.

BACKGROUND 
Found stray in a bad part of town, taken to a shelter, and no one claimed him.  Yet another victim of people who thought it would be fun to “get a puppy”, then dumped him as he got big and things started to open up again.

TEMPERAMENT
A typical young untrained young male GSD:  loving and goofy, also stubborn and strong.  Loves attention and loving.  He’s a confident dog -- a big, strong boy who doesn’t know his own strength and doesn’t suffer (canine) fools gladly.  Has a strong GSD presence and temperament.

PEOPLE
Seems to get along with people and has been good with everyone he’s met both at the shelter and now at the boarding kennel.  He recently had the opportunity to visit one of KC's local festivals and was the center of attention! Adults and kids came to admire and love on this stunning boy! He is still unknown with smal children who are not confined to strollers and will need to be tested. 

OTHER ANIMALS
We’re getting mixed signals on his interactions with other dogs.  His dog test at the shelter showed that he was social in groups and had “neutral body language in a large group of males and females.”  They noted “no aggression.”  However, in the boarding kennel he is barrier reactive to other dogs, especially to other males.  He also gets overly excited on leash when other dogs are around.  It may be a case of a confident dog who has little training and little prior contact with other dogs being frustrated in boarding.  He also shows signs of being trainable.  Right now we recommend a home with either no other pets, or only one female dog who is submissive.  Introductions would be required. He has spent some leashed time around other small dogs. His reactions were mixed. Anyone working with him will need to be careful to acertain what is and is not play behavior. He has not been tested around cats.

HOUSE MANNERS
Unknown.  He's currently in boarding due to lack qualified foster homes and we haven't seen him in a home setting.  He keeps his run clean at boarding, and he was in good physical condition when found, so he has clearly been in a home.  We don't know if he would try to get into trash, chew things, or other typical dog behaviors. 

TRAINING
He’s a smart dude who’s also GSD-stubborn, and apparently his owners didn’t train him on much.  He's still a young man with lots of energy – he needs consistent training and to be educated in rules and boundaries.  We think that with consistent leadership he'll learn quickly.  He’ll easily pick up basic commands.  He will need significant work on reactivity to other dogs but it appears that he is trainable on this, at least to the point of not reacting in public. 

ENERGY LEVEL
Medium to high.  He does well in his kennel and loves to run around in the playyard when he gets out.  Does not seem to be over-the-top energetic.  Does require daily exercise and mental stimulation.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION
Either an only pet home or a home with only one other dog who is a submissive female.  A securely fenced yard, at least 5' high and preferably 6’ high.  An active family who will get out for frequent walks and socialization.  Strong canine leaders who will be consistent and firm in educating him on “polite” behavior with other dogs.   

 


BENSONs ADOPTION FEE:   $350
This fee covers only part of what we spend to vet, board and rehab the dogs we save. On average we spend over $450 on each dog. We made a decision to keep our adoption fee at the 2005 level even though vet prices have doubled and tripled since then. We are constantly fundraising to cover the deficit. At minimum, your adoption fee includes the dog's spay/neuter, heartworm test, heartworm treatment if needed, rabies shot, distemper/parvo shot, bordatella shot, deworming, monthly heartworm and flea preventives, and microchip. In many cases it also includes surgery and various types of vet treatment for standard issues such as hot spots, ear infections and so on.
 

INTERESTED IN ADOPTING BENSON?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

STOP!! READ THIS BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER!

1. We're picky about our adopters. 
2. Are you sure you're up to having a GSD?  They're not for everyone.  They take a lot of time, effort, training.  They shed year round.  They're big.  They scare lots of people.  They "mouth" and herd.  They're usually strong-willed and stubborn.  You have to have references and a home visit.  If you're not willing or able to deal with any of this, please don't waste your time or ours applying.  
   
3. Will the dog be an inside family pet? We do not adopt to outdoor-only homes. All dogs must be indoor dogs.
4. Do you leave your dog outdoors when you're not home?   We do not adopt to homes that leave their animals outside when they're gone.  You must put your dogs indoors when you're gone.  A 3 yr old adopted MOGS dog died when the owners went to run errands, left her outdoors, the gate was somehow opened, and she was hit by a car.  Tragic and 100% preventable. Even privacy fences get broken into.  Gates are opened.  Thieves steal dogs. Never leave your dog outdoors when you're not home!!
   
5. What's your plan for unexpected events and major changes?  New baby? Divorce?  Moving?   How you will provide for your dog if your family breaks up? 
   
6. Will you make a lifetime commitment?  It's your responsibility to keep your dog safe, loved and cared for FOR LIFE.
7.  Do you understand we expect you to keep that lifetime commitment?  It's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to stick by your family member -- no matter what.
8. Are you unable or unwilling to make a lifetime commitment? Do not apply.

 

Have Questions? Email us at mogsrescue@gmail.com

Thank you for considering a homeless dog or cat.