RICKY is a gorgeous, energetic, funny, young, loving German Shepherd who is doing beautifully in his foster home!  He loves other dogs and adores playing with them.  He also loves his humans and adores being with them.  He even loves his foster sister, the cat!  He's playful but not rowdy, full of life but not hyper, affectionate but not "needy".

Ricky was originally adopted at just 6 months old from a shelter, to a family who didn't train or exercise him.  He was returned to the shelter just 6 months later - no longer a cute pup but now a full grown dog.  We don't know how he ended up in the shelterin the first place, but Ricky has clearly been the victim of a series of bad owners and was never taught much of anything.  We suspect he was kept kenneled most of the time, or possibly in a garage or even outdoors.  For example, when he first went to his foster home, he jumped on everything - including right ON the kitchen counters (didn't "surf" them, jumped ON them!).  He obviously had no guidelines for living a house. 

The shelter told us Ricky has severe separation anxiety and went crazy in his kennel, jumping and barking constantly.  This type of behavior is not uncommon, especially in dog who's been passed around from place to place - and especially in such a yoiung dog.   

His foster parents first tried putting Ricky in a separate room when they left, but he whined and scratched to get out.  So they put him in a kennel next to their own dogs, and he was happy as a clam. HE SIMPLY WANTED TO BE WITH HIS PACK - human or dogs.  We believe Ricky's fear of being alone would take over again unless he has at least one other dog to live with, so we REQUIRE Ricky's new family to have at least one other dog, of medium to large size. 

Ricky LOVES running in the backyard with the other dogs, he  sit nicely for treats, and is polite with both people and other dogs.  After his first few days in foster care, his foster mom said  ". I was expecting behaviors, but so far he's proved to be better behaved than our dogs!  We'll see if that changes once he starts to show his personality!"  But it has not changed - Ricky is still a great and polite dog. 
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Ricky is quickly learning commands, will do a fast sit-down on command for treats, and comes when called. He's not bad on a leash and is improving with training from his foster parents. He's housetrained and is crate trained as long as the crate is next to other kenneled dogs.  He's a fast learner and eager to please - his foster parents are doing a fantastic job of trainingi him and his new family must continue this training and leadership.

For a young dog, Ricky is actually fairly calm and has a great overall temperament.  He also ADORES doggie daycare!!!  His new family needs to take him to doggie daycare several times a week for some time to come, to continue the training and socialization he's getting now.  When his foster mom starts to make the dog lunches in the morning, Ricky gets super excited, wants to be first one in the car, and once there wants to be first one out of the car! 

Overall, Ricky is one heck of a sweet, affectionate, young boy who finally caught a good break and is now learning what life as a loved pet means.  He's super smart and trains easily.  With consistency, leadership and training, Ricky is going make one very fortunate family the best lifetime buddy ever!  Is that one lucky family YOU?


DOGS:               YES!  MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE DOGGIE BUDDY!  Needs a medium to large size dog who can play the same way Ricky does
CATS:                Yes.  Lives with a cat in his foster home
KIDS:                 Yes.  Only the typical issue of any large dog, that child-dog interaction must be supervised since a large dog can easily knock over a small child by accident or in play
IDEAL FAMILY:   An active family with at least one other (medium to large) dog, a fenced back yard, and GSD experience.  A family who understands how to continue Ricky's socialization and training with appropriate canine leadership.

 

RICKY'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 RICKY?
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