[mark]

Mike what are the most common reasons you seeing GSD or malinois in shelters. I rescued a 7 year old GSD and he was perfect and easy to train I lucked out. Looking to adopt another dog thinking another GSD or Mal but not sure if mine was 1 in a million. He was raised in loving home for 7 years w children, dogs, grandchildren, well socialized until husband died and wife gave up the dog. I have a 6 year old so not willing to take bite risk

[Mike]

Have not come across a Malinois in a shelter yet. Most common reason for seeing a GSD in the shelter are the human died and the remaining family could not take care of a large breed dog.

I have worked directly with 2 GSD and 1 Shepherd/Husky mix. 2 had minor issues that were easily corrected. The 3rd Shepherd had major issues that the trainer on staff was addressing. She had a complete mistrust of people. (She was 5 and had been with an old lady since 4 and was never socialized with other people or dogs).

[Alin]

This is a great discussion topic and hoping lots of members will chime in as the Groups area grows the next few weeks!

I was considering creating a separate Group just for Shelter Dogs before we launched. Let’s see how much interaction this discussion gets the next month or two and maybe we can create a group just for this topic.

Thanks Mike!

[Mike]

Sounds good. I enjoy being a part of the shelter dog community.

The new website looks great by the way.

[Riggan]

I’d love to see a Shelter Dogs group (or, to make it more inclusive, maybe a “Second Chance Dogs” group that would include rehomed dogs from all sources. Discussing with some of the issues surrounding poor or no socialization as pups or traumatic experiences could be very helpful as I try to navigate this path with Lance. I also plan to start volunteering with our local shelter once they are open to volunteers again.

[Mike]

Thanks for the input Riggan. The suggestion for “Second Chance Dogs” sounds great. I assume this would include owners that passed away and the next home that took the dog? Family members, friends, etc. Possibly bypassing the shelters?

Since shelter dogs have such specific issues, I might suggest both Groups. ‘Shelter Dogs’, and other than shelter dogs. Maybe ‘Re-Homed Dogs’.

[Alin]

So what do you guys think – Create a single group for Shelter/Second Home dogs and then discussions can be created to the specific scenario? @rshilsto

Or create two separate Groups – My only issue with that is I don’t want to split up into too many groups if two groups can somehow flow together.

Too many groups leads to lower engagement, maybe when we grow to a few thousand active group members. Which should be soon as more and more members realize the new features.

[Linda]

To start, I love the new site!

I would suggest a single group for Second Chance Dogs since most adopted dogs share similar issues. I’ve adopted all my dogs, some from shelters, some from rescues, some from homes. So many behaviors are similar. It can, though, be harder to gain the dog’s trust if they’ve been in the shelter for a long time..

[Alin]

I like the idea. I’ll get the group started sometime in the next couple days.

[Riggan]

I think a single group. I agree that dividing up into too many groups could create a management nightmare over time. And I think Linda is right that most of the issues are similar. So much depends on the personality temperament of the dog, regardless of whether it is from a shelter, rescue organization, or re-home.

[Alin]

Sounds good, let’s go with it. Gimme a couple days.

[Auri]

Hi Mike!

I work in a shelter also. We have a mali, one year old boy, he lived most of his life in a crate (10 hours a day), no exercise, no mental stimulation, no socialization. He is a very sweet boy, full of energy. He is so much better now, I can take him for walks. He is not barking at people or dogs anymore, and he walks nice, but he still reacts to cars to the point where I can see him redirecting to me. Any tips to keep going in the right direction would be much appreciated.😉

[Mike]

Hi Auri,

First I would direct you to Robert’s Ask Me Anything or Live Q&A as he has many years working with Goofy, his Malinois.

My experience with working past trigger items is, if we are out on a walk and the dog sees something that has triggered him in the past, and then checks in with me (which is what I want) I just say “You’re OK”. I don’t know if this is correct but after a number times past the trigger this seems to work. I don’t let them speed up or otherwise try to avoid. Depending on the situation, I may immediately turn around and go by the trigger again.

I have two dogs at the current shelter that have issues, when on a walk, with the barking shelter dogs through the fence. During our walk I make sure that I walk near the trigger. If they try to avoid by speeding up or hiding around me, I slow them down and tell them, “You’re OK”. I may even stop by the trigger and turn my dogs away from the trigger until they calm down.

I do this everyday on the walk, and I get closer each time until there is no reaction from my dogs.

[Mike]

Anyone have experience with working with a Bloodhound mix in a shelter? Having obsession issues with, ball, people and leash.