Foster is a beautiful male German Shepherd estimated around 2 years of age. Foster clearly had a rough life prior to rescue and is very timid around new people. It has been a slow journey with foster learning to trust humans, but he is trying his best and doing better every day. Foster requires patience and understanding when meeting new people. He is very reserved and it is best to not force him to be best friends immediately. Given space and patience Foster will warm up and is a very sweet boy. Foster is not a dog that can be pressured or force as he will respond defensively. Foster has clearly been mistreated and requires a home that understands Foster will not be the life of the party and does not need to meet every new person in the neighborhood. Foster has spent time with multiple volunteers and a pet-sitter who all adore him. He is very withdrawn the first few days with a new person however he then becomes a large cat wanting his butt scratched and sitting in your lap. Like all Shepherds, Foster is protective of his people and home. It is vital that his adopters have an understanding of setting appropriate boundaries from day one with Foster so that he does not become overly protective of the household or specific people. This is extremely common overcompensation behavior seen in Shepherds with trauma histories therefore it is important to have good boundaries and kind guidance to ensure the dog has clear expectations to meet. Foster has lived with multiple other Shepherds and Shepherd mixes in his foster homes without issue. He can be a bit of a loner in the play yards but also has a good understanding of social cues. He meets new dogs well and has often follows their lead in new situations. Foster is NOT cat friendly as he has shown a high prey drive. Foster has done great for the groomer and sits quietly while being bathed, brushed, and blow dried. Foster does have a rapport with his groomer and she has spent time helping ease him into the grooming routine. Foster is muzzled at veterinary appointments as they are a high stress environment coupled with strangers handling him quickly. When muzzled Foster has done wonderfully for the vets and has been able to be taken off his muzzle for treats at the end of his visits. Foster is searching for a home that has the patience to work through his trauma and the ability to ensure that he gains confidence in the right places. As he continues to grow out of his shell Foster will require solid guidance and boundaries to ensure he develops into a well-rounded and social family dog. He is loyal and eager to please when he is in a trusted relationship. For more information and an application, contact us at tierhavenrescue@gmail.com.

Good with Dogs, Not Good with Cats, Is Not Good with Kids