Rascal is a happy, easy going fellow with a lot of strength and energy!

BACKGROUND
Rascal came to MOGS from a local Humane Society after being picked up by a member of the public, held for a couple of days, and then being dumped back on the street for the second time, less than 12 hours after rescue placement was guaranteed.

TEMPERAMENT / BEHAVIOR
Rascal is a happy, roll with it, loves everything kind of boy. He LOVES eating, training, playing, other dogs, and people. He is an easy going fellow with a lot of strength and energy. He has high energy but medium drive - For a 1-year-old he's actually quite calm. He plays with his foster sibling and other dogs and runs around the yards. He can be rambunctious but can also be pretty mellow and relaxed while his foster mom works. Rascal has not displayed any aggression or reactivity. He has the usual dog reactions to the doorbell and deliveries; his foster family is training him to stay away from the door and that is going well. Rascal does not have any food or resource guarding. He is very food motivated so he is fed iin his kennel to avoid any interest or conflicts with his foster siblings at eating time. He can treat train with other dogs and is learning to wait his turn. He may have been starved a bit as he will eat anything, including lettuce. He does show signs that he may have suffered abuse, but his foster family have been working on this with him and being sure to provide soft soothing pets. Another sign of potential abuse is a tendency to urinate when he receives corrections, his training and corrections will need to be gentle with this in mind.

TRAINING
Rascal seems to respect boundaries that have been set for him & responds well to corrections. He is young, so his attention span is short, but he is smart and learns quickly. When he initially came to his foster home, he was so excited he was trying to jump all over his new foster siblings. He learned quickly not to, when corrected by his siblings and his new foster parents. With his young age he will test boundaries. He will need solid boundaries set and ongoing consistent manners training.

Rascal is doing good with his crate training, even better if a treat is offered. Attaching a leash and walking him there works well. He might bark a little in the crate but will settle especially at night and after a meal. Does not have accidents in crates or tear anything up so he can have a nice soft pillow bed. Will sleep quietly all night until he hears people up and around in the morning. He is working on his potty training; his future family will need to keep up the consistent and frequent potty breaks until he is settled. Rascal has tried to counter surf but quickly learned not to jump up when he is being watched. His new family should not leave food out, especially if he is unattended, he loves food and that could be too much of a temptation. Has free roam in his foster home when they are at home. He will just play with the others or just chill. He does good in the yard, does not try to escape, when done comes back upstairs and waits by the door to be let back in. Rascal is also doing well on working on staying out of the foyer, away from the door. He also walks well with a prong collar; he should not have a slip collar because he can pull very strongly. He appears to have knowledge of heeling and basic obedience. Does well with treat training but like most GSDs can be a bit stubborn.

OTHER ANIMALS 
He loves everyone & everything and thinks everyone should love him! He has fit right in with his foster siblings. He just needs a slow introduction to other dogs and once done has been able to be good with males, females, young, and old. He plays well with his youngest foster sister and doesn’t seem to be irritated even when she wants to play long after he lays down. He also understands and respects that his 10-year-old foster sister just wants to chill and not be bothered. He did well with a young male as well as an older male. He would do well in a home with other dogs but also loves people and attention so I think could either be a lone dog or with others.

Rascal did not do to well when cat-tested in his initial days with MOGS when he was boarded. He can be retested now that he is in a calmer home environment, however, at this time he should only be considered for a cat-free family.

PEOPLE
He likes all people! No issues with new people visiting. He would be great with a family, even younger children once taught to be careful & gentle. He is big and playful so if with younger children they would need to make sure to work with him. Strong leadership, basic obedience classes, continued socialization, could take this happy, even-tempered boy very far in life.

MEDICAL Up-to-date on all vaccines, has a current rabies tag, is neutered/spayed and has been microchipped. Has no known medical issues.

RASCAL's 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 RASCAL?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

Good with Dogs, Good with Kids

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.