HUTCH is a big, gorgeous hunk of German Shepherd who is a real sweetheart of a boy!  He was labeled "aggressive" at the shelter and was scheduled to be killed, but we met him and after observing his behavior it was clear to us that he was just (a) terrified at being dumped in a pound, and (b) unsocialized by his former family, who said they never took him out of their yard or house.  His "aggression" consisted of lunging at the cage doors, a not-uncommon reaction in terrorized and traumatized dogs (especially German Shepherds). 

So we grabbed Hutch and got him out of there fast -- and are we ever glad.  This guy is a gem!  With just a little more training he will be a fantastic lifetime companion and friend for you.  He knows sit and down, and we're working on shake and roll over.  He is slowly learning not to bolt out of his kennel or the door.  He responds INSTANTLY to a water bottle -- he will be easily trained! 

Within 24 hours his foster home had him out free with two other dogs (a female GSD and a male Aussie).  The only oversight required for the first few days was to make sure he didn't get too rambunctious and scare the other dogs.  Occasional squirts of the water bottle instantly stopped his rough play, and he came back to his humans for instructions.  He is one sweetheart of a guy, he truly will melt your heart. 

Hutch loves to chase the ball and is good about bringing it back to you.  He loves to run and play, though his play with other dogs is still somewhat rough and needs additional training to "gentle down". 

Within a week of pulling this so-called "aggressive" dog out of the shelter, we took him to a huge all-day adoption event called DogtoberFest.  Literally hundreds of people and their pets were everywhere all day.  Although he initially lunged at other dogs through the crate, he soon settled down and was having a ball romping with the other dogs (as much as dogs can romp on leash, that is).  He also quickly moved past any aggression towards people and seemed to figure out that he was safe.  For a dog who was completely unsocialized, it was an amazingly quick turn-around.  He gave doggie kisses to the other dogs, he was excited to meet all the people, and he generally made everyone fall in love with him.  

Hutch is going to be the treasure of a lifetime for some lucky family!!!

His new family MUST be excellent canine leaders who will exert strong leadership in helping Hutch move past the last remnants of his old, unsocialized life.  For instance, he had a very strong reaction at a vet's office and made some of the staff afraid of him.  This is typical of a dog who has not been socialized in their early years, and he has already made remarkable progress.  His adopters simply need to be saavy German Shepherd/dog people who understand this final stage of his entry into normal life, and will be vigilant in teaching and leading him during this time.

Hutch is currently in doggie daycare, thanks to his wonderful foster mom, and is doing fantastically with all the dogs and people!  He adores his time there.

 IF you're looking for a gorgeous, goofy, playful, loving
and very trainable young German Shepherd,
HUTCH is your guy!

A WORD ABOUT "AGGRESSION" THAT  IS NOT  AGGRESSION AT ALL!
The word "aggression" is thrown around way too loosely in shelters, in rescues and by the public. 
It seems that anytime a dog looks at someone the wrong way, s/he is labeled "aggressive." 
(Many city laws permit any person to simply say they "felt threatened" by a dog --
and that dog will be declared dangerous!) 
Any shelter dog who lunges at cage doors is labeled "aggressive" -
even when it's clear that once the door is open the dog is happy and carefree. 
Many people will call a dog "aggressive" when the actual behavior was barking or staring! 

We are deeply saddened by the thousands of dogs like Hutch who die in our country's shelter system every day after being wrongly labeled "aggressive". 

We hope the work we do will help dispel the deadly misunderstanding that leads to these deaths.  

There is a massive and critical difference between traumatized, terrorized behavior and true aggression! 
Unfortunately our system, in an effort to simplify a complex matter, labels any dog with behavior we don't like, as aggressive -- and promptly kills them.   
It doesn't matter what the specific behavior is, what the reason, context, or nature,
Yet just like humans, dogs and cats who are victims of trauma and terror may lash out. 
That does NOT mean they have an "aggressive" temperament. 

We desperately need to change the part of our system that prefers to
kill traumatized dogs rather than help them.

HUTCH's ADOPTION FEE: $300
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 HUTCH?
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