FREDDY is an incredibly handsome dark sable German Shepherd with soft ears (also called floppy ears).  MOGS has had many soft-eared GSDs in our program over the years and without exception, every single one of them has had a wonderful, gentle temperament and personality.  Freddy is the same way.  He's not quite "goofy", but close!

Freddy must have a doggie buddy of his own size and energy (moderate) to play with!  He loves, loves, LOVES to play doggie games and chase his doggie buddies!!  It's funny to watch them chase around the yard with total abandon, just for the sheer fun of it, then flop down and gently play by pretend-chewing on each others legs or ears.  Yet Freddy is also perfectly content to sit outside in the yard or in the house and chew on a bone.  He's active but not hyperactive!

Freddy is extremely good-natured and doesn't seem to have the strong protection instinct that most GSDs have.  He accepts everyone, including other dogs.  In fact, his biggest problem is that he thinks other dogs should instantly want to jump around and play with him as if they've known each other for years!  He's still learning restraint and manners when meeting new dogs, and his new family will need to continue his training.  Part of it is that he's still very much a puppy, part is continued training, and part is proper introductions and oversight.  

Freddy came from a pound in rural Kansas where he was to be killed.  He had been temperament tested using a 7-part "test" known as the "SAFER Test".  This test was  developed to determine what kind of training and home a dog needs.  Sadly, a huge number of shelters now use this test to determine what dogs they will kill - and use a "failing" grade on any of the 7 parts as the reason to kill a dog.  In other words, if a dog isn't perfect, they will fail the test and be killed.  This was exactly Freddy's predicament.  He got perfect scores on 6 of the 7 parts of the test but failed the "Fake Hand in the Food Bowl" part - he apparently nipped or bit at the fake hand when it was inserted in his foodbowl while he was eating.  This pound refuses to feed the dogs before giving this "test", which meant Freddy -- already traumatized by being in a pound that smelled of death and despair -- hadn't eaten for approx. 18 hours when "tested."  We do not believe this is in any way an accurate test of a dog's true temperament.  However, with this information in hand, we have worked with Freddy on possible food protectionism.  After first building trust with Freddy over several days, we inserted a wooden pole in his food bowl while he was eating.  He looked confused and stiffened slightly, but just kept on eating.  We now routinely touch Freddy before, during and after his meals to ensure we are desensitizing him to any fear of being deprived of his food.  He is also on a regular twice-daily feeding schedule.  This applies ONLY to his foodbowl at meals, and not to treats.  Freddy takes treats very nicely, though eagerly, and is learning to "wait" to be released before taking his treat.   (NOTE:  if adopters have young children in the household, we STRONGLY recommend taking no chances with doggie dinner times.  The adults should continue to feed Freddy in his kennel while trust with all family members is being built gradually.  Small children should not be allowed to give him his foodbowl or interfere with his meals.)

Freddy is mostly housetrained and only has a small way to go.  He is kennel trained and has learned to sit and wait to be released from his kennel, from the car, and for his dinner.  He still has to be reminded because he's a youngster, gets excited, and this is all still new to him, but with consistency and continued training from his new family he'll be doing it automatically. Freddy is a smart boy and just needs loving training!

Freddy appears to be good with cats as well as dogs.  He was tested with a cat who lives with lots of dogs and did well.  He's still too energetic and wants to play, so if cats are not dog-saavy the introductions need to be proper and gradual. 

He's been around many small kids during adoption events, including a Renaissance Festival where he was mobbed with kids, and has done very well.  It appears that the only thing a family with small children needs to be concerned about will be the same as with any large dog - that a large dog like Freddy can easily knock a small child over accidentally during play or just in rambunctiousness.  Any large dog must be supervised when around small children for that reason.

Freddy still lacks leash manners but is slowly getting the hang of it.  He also is still very much a puppy - he loves to steal things if you leave them lying around!  Sometimes he chews on them but sometimes he just tosses them around for amusement.  He would LOVE a family who will spend time with him each day in the yard, playing, tossing, throwing, chasing and running!

Only one fortunate family will be able to claim Freddy as their very own family member!  Whoever that is, will have a gentle, sweet, handsome guy as their lifetime buddy and companion!!  Is that YOU? 

 
DOGS:                Yes.  Lives in foster care with 3 other large dogs.  Has met small dogs on leash and done well.  MUST HAVE AN APPROPRIATE DOGGIE PLAYMATE (medium or large size dog of similar good-but-moderate energy)
CATS:                 Yes, has been tested and ignored the cat (who was dog-saavy).  Too energetic so introductions need to be gradual if cat is not dog-saavy
KIDS:                  Unknown, would have to be tested.  Believe he would do well.
IDEAL FAMILY:    An active, fun-loving family who will spend time with Freddy to play with him, walk him and work with him daily. 
 




FREDDY's ADOPTION FEE:   $300
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 FREDDY?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

Good with Dogs, Good with Cats

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.