Shelby is a one year old German Shepherd who is sweet at heart but needs time and patience to feel safe. She is slow to warm up with new people and can be a little touchy, but when her boundaries are respected, she shows her gentle and loving side. Shelby has been through a lot in her young life, and it shows in some of her behaviours, yet her willingness to trust again shows just as clearly.
Shelby enjoys walking, running, and cuddling, but all on her terms. She loves being pet on her head and withers and will happily lean in for affection when she feels comfortable. She becomes nervous if someone touches her back end and may get nippy if she feels unsure. She also does not like vet handling at this time, which is understandable considering her past.
Shelby can be very playful, especially if she is running in circles on leash or when someone pets her and then suddenly stops. She has a high energy level and does best when she has opportunities to move, explore, and burn off excitement. She is dog reactive on leash, although this has not been worked on yet, and she will need guidance, structure, and consistency to build better habits.
For a young and previously untrained shepherd, Shelby walks fairly well. She pulls lightly most of the time unless she sees a distraction. She knows her name, come, and sit, and she responds beautifully to love and praise. At the moment she is not very food motivated, so relationship based reinforcement works best.
Shelby needs a home experienced with German Shepherds. She is not suited for young children and would do best with dog savvy teens or adults who understand body language and are comfortable giving her space when she asks for it. She has not been tested with dogs or cats in a controlled way yet, so slow introductions in the future would be important.
Shelby’s best qualities are her cuddles, her loyalty, and her incredible willingness to try even after everything she has been through. She has a tender heart beneath her uncertainty and just needs a family who will meet her where she is and help her grow into the confident and secure dog she can become.
If you have experience, patience, and a soft spot for dogs who are learning to trust again, Shelby may be the perfect match.
Shelby's adoption fee is $850 which includes microchip, spay, vaccines, heartworm test, heartworm/flea/tick prevention, deworming, and complete vet check. If you are interested in adopting Shelby, please fill out our online adoption application at www.helpingpawsrescue.ca.
