BEKKA is a pretty one year old, a typical strong-willed German Shepherd who is full of “piss and vinegar”, full of life, full of herself, and full of love!   She’s had a rough start in life and at only 1 year old loves people, craves affection, is somewhat protective, is over-the-top with other dogs, and needs good leadership and training to be one terrific companion.  She was dumped in a high kill city pound by a woman who literally drug her in by the collar (no leash) and claimed she was “aggressive”.  Well heavens, you would be too if you were ignored, untrained, drug around by the scruff of the neck and just trying to survive – all as a tiny puppy.  How tragic that our animals go through such mistreatment and it’s all perfectly “legal.”

Unfortunately we had to put Bekka in boarding for 3 months due to a lack of people willing to foster and help save dogs.  We recently got her into a great foster home and are seeing lots of pent-up frustration!   Bekka got some, but not enough, exercise in the kennel and wasn’t being trained -- and it shows.   

We’re now starting Bekka’s training.  She’s a good dog who (a) was totally untrained, and (b) is just so frustrated at what’s happened to her.  As a result  she’s too rough with other dogs and hates being in her kennel at all.  Based on her “play” behavior, we think the owners who dumped her played rough with her and TAUGHT her to play rough.  We’re seeing the all-out, over-the-top play that’s typical of young dogs whose owners never set boundaries, never teach them anything, and actually encourage rough play as “funny”.  BEKKA IS A POSTER CHILD FOR WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER, EVER TEACH A DOG TO PLAY ROUGH.

She is dominant but not alpha, and needs to be taught self-control as well as how to appropriately direct all her energy.  Bekka is something of a "sparkplug" - because she lacks so much socialization, her first meetings with humans and animals prompt her protective instincts.  However, within a few minutes she warms up and just wants loving (from humans) and play (from dogs).  However, she has a deep bark and a fierce countenance that can easily scare people - so it's important that her new family continue the training that has just started at her new foster home.  They must socialize, socialize, socialize her!!!  She's a "project dog"  - but boy, is she ever worth it!  She's a cuddler and a lover - and loves, loves, loves to play and romp!

Are you a runner?  An agility person?  An avid outdoors person?  This would be ideal for Bekka!  She’s be a fabulous running companion, agility dog or outdoors companion.  She’s just so full of energy and life!  She’s also a headstrong young German Shepherd “lunkhead” – our affectionate term for a dog who is at that youngster stage, way enthusiastic, way untrained - and needs a good leader to show her the ropes.  She also has dominant tendencies and needs a good, strong canine leader who won’t allow her to get away with over-the-top behavior.  Bekka needs a loving, caring, calm, FIRM leader who will give her all the things she never got growing up from a small puppy:  boundaries, rules, consistency, love, clarity, firmness.   

People:  she loves people!  But she also plays too rough with people, just like she does with dogs, tho she calls off easily when given a firm command in a leadership voice.   We have no doubt she'll eventually be a cuddler and eat up any affection she can get, as well as give as much lovin' as you want!   FIRST MEETINGS:  Bekka can present fiercely on first meeting with a new person.  Her protective instincts kick in and because she never got any guidance or training, she reacts from both fear and protectionism.  However, when introduced properly and slowly, she warms up quickly.  Usually with 10 minutes she's asking for love and/or playtime!  Yet she's been to numerous adoption events with many strangers coming and going, and has done fine.  Bekka just needs continued exposure, training and leadership to understand how to act in "polite society" ;-)

Other dogs:   she was with other dogs at the pound, in boarding, in foster care, and she’s shown mixed reactions.   In boarding, she was out playing with the other dogs and did fine (though rough).   At the pound, she did great on her two dog tests at the pound - in fact, when one of the tester dogs came at her over a treat, Bekka actually jumped back to get away from the other dog.   She also playbowed and seemed to be inviting the other dog to play.  In the foster home, she went way over the top during the first play session with one of the dogs and was much too rough (no aggression or meanness, but highly escalated energy that was totally inappropriate and scared the other dog).   Bekka can live with other dogs and in fact would love to have a doggie buddy, but she will need to be paired with the right dog.  She will also need continued supervision and leadership training for some time.  Bekka reacts strongly to other dogs on leash, and needs training and leadership to show her how to interact appropriately.  Again, from what we see we believe this is due to her total lack of guidance and training of any sort from a puppy.  Her new family must be willing to do the training needed to help her learn appropriate interactions on leash!

Cats:  she’s in a foster home with a cat and within 24 hours learned to leave the cat alone.  Her foster family are excellent, firm, loving leaders who won’t allow bad behavior and she knows that.  The cat is also not afraid of dogs and let Bekka have it several times!

Small children: unknown and would have to be tested.  We don't expect any issues with children other than her sheer rambunctious energy and the certainty that she will knock over young kids during play if not supervised! 

Bekka needs an active home with a family who will exercise her vigorously every day, come rain or shine, and spend at least 1 to 2 hours a day playing with her to stimulate her both physically and mentally.  SHE IS STILL A PUPPY!  A SUPER ENERGETIC ONE!  She needs a family who understands this, will love her, train her, EXERCISE her, and be patient with her bullheaded youngster ways for a while.  She's an energetic youngster in training.  The great news is she's at a perfect age for training.

DOGS:    yes.  Needs initial supervision to avoid being over-enthusiastic too quickly
CATS:     yes   Needs to be “told the rules”
KIDS:      unknown.  Would have to be tested but don't expect any issues other than her very high energy and overall rambunctiousness
IDEAL HOME:   an ACTIVE family who will exercise her (she would love to be a runner’s dog! )  and are good canine leaders who will invest some time in training this great but neglected girl!

 If you're looking for a lovely, lively, loving, energetic young dog
who will love you for life and still needs some training / leadership,
BEKKA’s your girl!

BEKKA's ADOPTION FEE: $250
This fee covers only part what we spend on vet and boarding costs for the dogs we save.  At minimum it 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 BEKKA?
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