Training Rescue Dogs | Adopted Dogs

Angel has been with the rescue 3.5 weeks now and we have had her assessed and trained by Brian Kerchner, owner of Good Dog Workshop.  We are proud to say that Angel is ready for her forever home! The best word to describe this girl is HAPPY.  Angel is a very energetic girl, but is quiet and calm after enough exercise.  She will benefit most from a home where plenty of walking, running, hiking or other exercise is a part of a normal routine.  She is potty and crate trained, and almost house trained.  In her current foster home, she is fine being crated most of the day, but her energy is drained in the morning and evening by long walks and playtime at the dog park.  Doggie daycare would be a great outlet for Angel’s energy and since she has great social skills.  She is very puppy-like (happy-go-lucky and everything is so exciting!) and still learning new things.  She needs to be shown the way with good guidance and leadership.  She socializes very well with dogs and people.  She walks well on a leash at a good pace, is eager to please and corrects very easily.  She will bark at the door bell/door knock, people who approach the car, etc., but responds well  to correction and happily greets anyone up-close.  She can easily be trained not to do this.  She knows basic obedience, but more by body language than voice command (sit, down and will give her your paw).  Angel is also very sweet and cuddly.  She loves to be loved! While Angel does enjoy the company of other dogs, this is not a necessary requirement for adoption.  She will do fine by herself with enough interaction or with a playmate.  Angel is currently in a home with a calm, 4 year old female shepherd.  While she gets along very well with her, a match with the opposite gender is usually best for shepherds (not a requirement though).  Pairing Angel with a dog calmer than she to feed off the calm energy is ideal; however, she needs more engagement than a slow senior could give her.  Children: Angel will be best with children 10 years of age or older. She is much too energetic for toddlers. Small cats/dogs: If you have a calm cat or calm small dog, Angel will get along just fine.  If the cat or dog is too hyper, this will only excite her to chase the cat or dog.  (Note: she will chase squirrels and other small, scurrying animals).  Please contact Angel's foster parent, Raegan Weber, at raeweber00@gmail.com or 571-276-2287 if you have any questions and are interested in adopting our sweet Angel.  

Ava is 15 months old and is a beautiful long hair female German Shepherd or mix. She is very smart and very loving. I do not think she has ever met a stranger. She enthusiastically greets people and insists they pet her! She rides well in car. She is currently in training and doing well. She is ready for her forever home. Interested adopters may contact info@trainingrescues.org to schedule a meet and greet.

Please Note: applicants must have significant breed experience (as an adult) to be considered as an adoption candidate for Beowulf. 

Beowulf is an 8 month old German Shepherd puppy that was left to his own devices and will need someone willing to teach him boundaries and behaviors fitting a dog of his breeding. He is a smart boy with a will to please and is looking to make a connection with someone. He is friendly and outgoing. He is the quintessential GSD in looks, temperament, and personality.

Beowulf is "mouthy" and a large dog at only 8 months. He is expected to top out well over 100 pounds. Unless the applicants have significant training experience, he will not be placed in a home with small children. 

At this time we know he is friendly with other dogs, but do not have any knowledge of how he will be with cats. 

If you are interested in welcoming Beowulf to your home, please check out the Adoptions Process page. Beowulf will have a training requirement as part of his adoption contract.  Beowulf's adoption fee will be $450.00.

Blitz is a handsome 7 month old male German Shepherd. We pulled him from a rural NC shelter on his last day. He can be a bit shy when meeting new people, but warms up quickly. He is all puppy--bouncey, mouthy, and a bundle of energy! He is a sweet boy who loves to be loved and cuddled. He does have a strong prey drive so no cats or small dogs. In addition, he is not good with toddlers. He reacts to babies the same he reacts to squirrels--he wants to pounce!. He rides well in a car and walks well on a leash. He has no manners or training, so obedience training will be an adoption requirement. He will be neutered before adoption. He is being fostered in Alexandria, VA. Interested adopters may contact info@trainingrescues.org for more information and to arrange a meet and greet.

Blue puppy is a male German Shepherd born December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• a lttle unsure, but social
• does okay with handling, but needs work
• okay with restraint, but should continue to work on keeping this positive
• will retrieve, but needs work on returning object
• very prey driven and interested in toys
• some sound sensitivity 
• very assertive puppy, needs a lot of socialization and exposure 

Needs and experienced German Shepherd owner. Could be good sport prospect or working dog. Needs work on sound sensitivity is used for work. Will need experienced handler. Do not recommend home with young children. Needs a lot of structure and stimulation.

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

Bruno is a male German Shepherd born December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• A little unsure of new people
• not good with handling or restraint; needs positive work on both 
• will retrieve, but will not return object
• low prey drive
• no natural interest in tug

Needs a lot pf positive socialization. Needs experienced Shepherd or working dog owner. Needs structure and exposure. Without appropriate training, could develop territorial or defensive behavior, reactivity, and resource guarding behavior.

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

UPDATE

Since the initial assessment, Bruno has been significantly socialized by taking him to Old Town Alexandria, high school sporting events, outdoor pet festivals, adoption events, and the like. He is good with strangers approaching and dogs. He rides well in a car and enjoys the company of his humans. He is a calm, low energy puppy with a low prey drive. He will need continued socialization and exposure. He cannot be just a backyard or neighborhood dog. He needs to get out into the larger community for socialization and confidence building.

Cassie is a very sweet 5 month old female German Shepherd. She is an owner surrender. She has a nice temperament who needs some training to make her the wonderful dog she can be. She rides well in a car, good with dogs and children, unknown about cats. She is good with people and loves to cuddle! 

Chase is an 8 month old sweet, handsome, happy puppy. He was an owner surrender to a shelter because he chased cattle and other small farm animals. He was very stressed at the shelter, but at the training facility he has been a happy, outgoing and friendly little guy. He had no training or manners when he arrived, but is a star pupil! He has learned his commands and how to walk on a leash like a little gentleman. He loves people and gives kisses freely. He is friendly with other dogs, but does play rough and like a puppy does not always take social cues. He is a typical young male and a bit full of himself so continued training in his new home will be required. He is ready for his forever home. If you lead an active lifestyle and are up to the challenge of a high energy, smart German Shepherd puppy, Chase is looking for you! Interested adopters may fill out an adoption application at www.trainingrescues.org  

Chloe is a very sweet approximately 1.5 year old female German Shepherd surrendered by her owner because she did not have time for the dog. Chloe knows basic commands, but needs some tweeking on leash manners. Her former owner reported Chloe loves children and is also good with dogs. She also loves to catch. As we get to know her better, we will update her bio.

UPDATE:

Chloe's evaluation by the behavior specialist who works with the rescue found she is a very sweet and social female German Shepherd. Chloe is good with dogs and doing well in her foster home with the two resident dogs--male and female--who are very social and stable. She also likes children, but NO CATS. Chloe has a definite prey drive so is now learning to peacefully coexist with the neighborhood squirrels. Her base temperament is social and confident, but she needs continued socialization and exposure to build on her natural tendencies. She is a high energy dog so Chloe will need an adopter with an active lifestyle. A runner and/or hiker is ideal. She also loves playing a ball. She likes you to throw a ball for her or she toss it to you so you will toss it back to her. This game can go on indefinitely. Chloe knows the basic commands sit, down, and go to bed. We are working on a down/stay on the bed. She understands the concept and can hold the down for a 5-10 minutes with a few reminders. This is very good considering she is a new home and still adjusting. She is looking to bond with her person because, through no fault of her own, Chloe has been bounced around to a couple of homes during her young life. As result of multiple homes, she has some budding separation anxiety. Her foster home is working on this and she is doing well, but she will need continued work in her new home.  Chloe will also need work on leash manners so her foster home has begun the work on this, too. Chloe is a real gem! She won’t be around long so submit your application before she gone!

 If you are interested in Chloe or would like more information, please contact us at info@trainingrescues.org. Also, please note our adoption contract requires continued behavior training in Alexandria, VA. 

Chloe is available for adoption, if interested please submit an online application at http://bit.ly/Adoption-TRD

Cooper is a 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. He is a good dog, but has never had and structure or leadership. He is very mouthy and talkative. He will require an owner and home who has experience with high energy and high drive German Shepherds. He is not for a first-time Shepherd home. He will require leadership and structure and owners who will put in the time and dedication to train and exercise him soo he will become the awesome dog he can be. He gets along with other dogs, but must be introduced properly. He rides well in a car and takes treats nicely. He most likely is not good with cats and should be in a home with children above the age of 12 because he will knock over smaller children.

He is spending some time with trainers to curb his ethusiasim and give him structure and impulse control.

There is a training requirement under the adoption contract with an approved trainer. Interested adopters should submit an online adoption application at www.trainingrescues.org

Daisey is a 3 month old female German Shepherd. She was an unwanted Christmas puppy abandoned at the shelter.

She is a sweet, confident puppy with lots of energy. We believe she was taken away from her mother and littermates too early, because of this she is very mouthy and needs work on her bite inhibition. Due to her excessive mouthiness and razor sharp puppy teeth we will not adopt her to a home a young children. She will need a patient and understanding handler to work through this stage, it’s imperative that she be taught the appropriate way and not using overly adverse or physical corrections.

She is very good with people, but awkward with dogs because she did not spend enough time with her littermates to learn how to read dog body language. She must be introduced slowly on multiple occasions before allowing off leash interaction with any dogs. If introduced appropriately she is good with dogs that can tolerate young puppies. She will not be a dog park dog or doggie daycare dog. She does not exhibit any sound sensitivities and is environmentally curious; Daisey loves to explore!

Daisey is not a good candidate for Search and Rescue, Service Dog work, or IPO/Schutzhund/Sport. However she likely would do well with Agility, Rally, Obedience, or similar activities as she matures.

She is a typical German Shepherd puppy who needs training, behavior shaping, and structure to become a stable, well-mannered adult dog.

Continued training in Alexandria, with her current trainer, will be required with an adoption contract.

Please note: In order to adopt a puppy, arrangements MUST be in place to attend to her needs every two hours throughout the day. 

Diesel is a large happy dog who does not know his own size. He is very smart and learns quickly.
This handsome guy is rumored to be a 1-2 year old rottie/shepherd/dobie mix. Though his lineage and history are both a bit mysterious, it makes no difference to friendly Diesel and his legions of admirers. He came to us from North Carolina as an owner surrender. She had him for only a few months before she moved to a new home that wouldn't allow him. Poor Diesel has had at least four homes in his young life (probably 5-6). As a result, he has not learned some basic doggie manners (although he does already know "sit", "down", "shake," and walks nicely on a leash). So, Training Rescue Dogs has stepped in to provide "finishing school" for Diesel and to allow him to blossom into a well-mannered pup.

Diesel loves to meet new people (young and old, male and female) and greets everyone with a hearty thump of his long tale. He tries to make friends with other dogs he meets, but his exuberance is often too much for his new acquaintances. He also seems to be completely unaware of his size and power (he's currently about 80 pounds). One thing Diesel is learning in training is how to greet his new friends properly. He is also learning impulse control and how to make better decisions. Right now, Diesel often gets himself into trouble by failing to "look before he leaps". And leap he does! He can jump a six-foot fence with ease.

With some leadership and consistency, Diesel is going to thrive. Some lucky family will be able to adopt Diesel soon. Will it be you? If so, he will reward you with a near-constantly wagging tail, a happy smile, and doggie kisses. If you'll allow it, he also loves to snuggle, especially at night..with his head on your pillow.

Duke was found as a stray in Durham, NC. No one came forward to claim him so he was brought to the local shelter. He did not do well in the shelter so he was not put up for adoption and only available to rescues. When no rescues came forward to claim him, the shelter was without any options and planned to euthanize him. However, Duke had several guardian angels working for him. His first angel won a 48 hour reprieve to find a rescue. His second angel found a rescue to pull him. The rest, as they say, is history. Duke was pulled and has a new lease on life! He is a friendly fellow, but not much is yet known about him. We will update his bio as we learn more.

UPDATE

Hi, my name is Duke! I was without a home when a nice lady took me in. I was dropped of at the shelter in Durham NC where no owner came to claim me. I waited for a very long time but no one came and I got scared and wanted out, so they said I was "unadoptable" and put me on the "sleep" list. Then I prayed and Angels camefor me! They found a rescue to help get me out and a nice foster mommy to take me on my Freedom Ride! I'm still very scared and I don't really remember ahome. The Doggy Doctor says I'm very healthy but thin. I've just been so used to not knowing when I'll get food. I have a foster brother who is old and wiseand teaching me how to be quiet and calm. I also have a foster sister that's almost one (close to my age)! We play all the time. She is trying to teach mewhat dog toys are and dog beds. I don't know if I had those before. The ball-my favorite thing ever!! Foster mommy and daddy say they will make sure I go to mynew home with a bunch too! I like baths, and I'll even stand up on my back paws to help you. My foster daddy is the greatest, he keeps treats in his pocket!He's taught me stay, sit, no begging, come, down, and no. I am working on the lay down..that one's hard. I walk well on a leash and don't pull you! But I'mso excited to tell everyone my happy story that I forget to walk in a straight line. I cannot wait to find my forever family! I love to snuggle up with you anda blanket and watch Westerns! That's why my foster mommy named me Duke! Please consider letting me continue my happy story with you, I'll be ready foradoption soon!

Duke is a 1 year old, neutered male German Shepherd and is up to date on vaccines. He has a lot of potential and he will be a shining example of a German Shepherd. He is a social dog but will need exposure training and socialization to build his confidence. Continued training to include basic obedience, exposure, and socialization, will allow him to become a stable and confident dog who will be comfortable in any situation.

We are looking for an experienced adopter who understands breed and temperament. An adopter who will commit to necessary training and truly wants to work to expand their knowledge and experience while working to shape behavior into a stable and confident German shepherd.

Since Duke has a strong prey drive, he will not be adopted to a home with cats, small animals, or young children. He has been around social, submissive female dogs and does well, but any resident dog would have to be evaluated to determine if it would be a good match. A female dog with a neutral or more passive temperament would be a possibility.

If you have experience with the breed, are looking to spend time working and training a beautiful dog who already has some wonderful qualities, we would love to answer any questions you might have about Duke. If you are looking for a running buddy and companion, Duke is that dog.

Please be aware, meet and greets are only scheduled for approved adopters.

Please visit http://bit.ly/Adoption-TRD for information about our adoption process. Inquiries for additional information can be sent toinfo@trainingresscues.org.

  ***Training Rescue Dogs is different from other rescues in the following ways: (1) training is required with one of our approved trainers under the adoption contract and (2) the rescue will match the adopter with the most appropriate dog for the respective family situation. The training requirement is with one of the Rescue’s approved trainers. Training is important to establish leadership and a bond with the dog. A trainer will be identified by the rescue based on the needs of the individual dog. The training contract is between the adopter and the trainer and is not included in the adoption fee and must be signed prior to or at the time of adoption. 

Each foster dog is evaluated by an experienced, professional behaviorist. The Rescue does this in order to understand the temperament of the dog and also to be able to match the dog with the best possible family.

Meet and greets are only scheduled for approved adopters. All of our dogs are living in private foster homes so we attempt to minimize disruptions to our foster families by limiting meetings to those have completed the application process and been approved.  

The adoption fee for Training Rescue Dogs, Inc is $450.

owner surrender

Green puppy is a male German Shepherd born December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• needs time to warm warm up, very unsure about people and new situations
• needs a lot of very positive socialization and exposure throughout his life
• passive--accepts handling and restraint
• natural retrieve

Without appropriate training, could develop reactivity adn fear behavior later in life. Needs regular exposure and positive socialization. Cannot be a "field" or "outdoor" or one just left in its home or area. Needs a calm, relaxed, and experienced owner who will be patient and work to boost confidence. Could do well with an older dog who is stable and social. Without appropriate training, could develop fear, territorial, or defensive behaviors later in life.

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

Gretchen, a 2.5 year old, owner surrender from a backyard breeder in Kentucky. She is a petite girl, weighing about 55lbs, who is very sweet and loving despite her horrendous living conditions and lack of socialization. She came to us a little skittish, pregnant and undernurished. Gretchen gave birth to six puppies, but only one survived. Gretchen loves attention from humans. 

Hank is a 1.5 year old neutered German Shepherd mix. We pulled him from a rural NC shelter on his last day and we are happy we did! He is the SWEETEST dog ever! He may look intimidating, but he is all love bug! He wants nothing more than to please his humans. He needs obedience training, but has nice, gentle manners. He listens well to his handler and responds quickly to direction. His leash manners were non existent when he arrived. However, in just one day he has made significant progress--just because he listens to what he is being asked to do. He does well with distractions and can easily be redirected. However, he does not like small dogs. He is friendly with all adults, children and babies he has met. He is free with his kisses! He also rides well in car. He has not shown any aggression in any situation: food, toys, water, or personal space (Blitz evades his space quite often!). I gave him a bath the second day I had him which he tolerated very well, he did not like it, but he was a good boy and let me shampoo him all over. He enjoys being brushed and other attention from people. The slightest kindness shown him has his tail wagging uncontrollably!  

Interested adopters may contact info@trainingrescues.org for more information or to arrange a meet and greet.

Heidi - DOB 9/1/2014

Dutch Shepherd

Spayed

Excellent athletic ability, great hunt and ball drive. Seeking an home. Good prospect for freestyle, agility, competitive obedience, tracking, search and rescue. 

Friendly with people but can be leash reactive with other dogs depending upon the situation. Would recommend a home without cats or other small animals. 

Meet HELGA, the our newest pack member! She is a 4 year old, AKC registered owner surrender. Her elderly owners could longer care for her so they wanted to find her a more suitable home. Helga is VERY sweet, affectionate, loves and wants attention. She does well around other dogs and does not have much of a prey drive. She is fostered in Vienna, VA.

Indigo is a Californian who came east in search of his forever home. He not only rides well in a car, but he flies well in a plane, too. Indigo is very sweet with all the people he has met on both coasts. He is good with dogs, greets appropriately and then mostly does not interact. He takes treats politely and gently. He walks well on a leash, but will need to brush up a little on his obedience commands. He is medium energy and laid back, but does excited when he sees his leash. Nothing, so far, has fazed him, not even a cross country plane ride. He is looking for a family to call his own and settle down with. 

He is fostered in Alexandria, VA. Interested adopters may contact his foster at info@trainingrescues.org

Kahn is a super-friendly, mature gentleman who LOVES people. His favorite thing is getting a belly-rub! Kahn has some osteoarthritis and would do best in a home with minimal stairs, and consistent easy walks. He enjoys the water and would benefit greatly from having some "therapeutic" swims at the local pet pool. 

Having recently arrived from the shelter, we are giving him some time to settle in before introducing him to his foster fur-sbilings, and the cats. We will report back on how these introductions go but we believe he will be okay with other dogs, and possibly the kitties but are not 100 percent sure at this time.

Kahn was found wandering as a stray and then spent nearly a month waiting for his owners to come find him. Sadly no one came looking for this terrific dog. Obviously someone spent a lot of time with him, training him to be the super-social dog that he is.

If you would like to add Kahn as a member of your family, please send us an email. Kahn is currently located in Baltimore, MD.

Kaiser is a 4 year old stunning dark sable neutered male. He weighs 67 lbs and is very under-weight. He came to the shelter as a stray so nothing is known about his past. He is a bit timid and unsure of people, but does warm up fairly quickly. He takes treats very gently, rides well in a car and gets along with other dogs. He also loves to play with a ball. He is currently spending some with trainers to help build his confidence and learn obedience. As we learn more about his personality we will post updates. 

Interested adopters may contact info@trainingrescues.org for more information.


 

Four-year old Kaiser is a striking dog! The first thing one notices is his red sable coloring and soulful eyes. This big boy is full of love too! He loves to interact with humans, he gets along great with other dogs and with children, he loves to go for car rides, and his favorite love is McDonalds ice cream cones and cheese burgers - but not too many please!

Kaiser was used as breeding stock prior to being rescued and spent most of his life in a 12 x 6 outdoor pen. Since coming to TRD, Kaiser has learned house manners, learned to play, and has learned some obedience skills. The training staff at Creature Comfort Inn did a great job giving him a new start in life and they shed a few tears of joy when he graduated on to his foster home. Kaiser is now living in a foster situation where they are continuing his socialization experiences to build his confidence with new sights and sounds. His ideal family would be one with the knowledge to set clear, consistent boundaries; one that can give him experiences for socialization, leadership and structure. Previous understanding on establishing pack leadership and routine is a plus. Kaiser is good with children and has been fine with other dogs. We do not have firsthand knowledge of how he is with cats, but he should probably not be placed in a home with cats unless the individual possesses significant experience in cat-dog relationships with high-drive dogs. 

Interested adopters may submit an adoption application on the website at www.trainingrescues.org

For additional information contact info@trainingrescues.org

She is 10 months old and about 30lbs. She was listed on Craig's List as "free to a good home." Although she is not the typical dog brought into this rescue, we were concerned about her fate under such a listing. So we contacted the post and scooped her up! She is a cutie and full of spunk! As you can see from the video, she likes playing with the big dogs! She knows basic commands, good with people, children, and dogs. She is crate trained, rides well in the car, and up for any adventure!She is full of puppy energy, but does settle down when directed to do so. She will make a great family dog. She loves people and attention.She is ready to be adopted after she is spayed. Interested adopters, please fill out an application on-line. To arrange a meeting, please contact info@trainingrescues.org

Layla is a very pretty, sweet  4 year old, 50 lbs female German Shepherd. She is an owner surrender to a shelter. She is spayed and up to date on vaccines and preventatives. She has not had the best life. Her previous owners did not socialize or expose her as a puppy and treated her unkindly. As a result, she is a little fearful and has some trust issues. She had fans at the shelter who believed in her and worked with her to socialize and expose her, but this was limited in a shelter environment.

We have been working with Layla introducing her to urban/suburban life experiences.  She is adjusting to life outside the shelter environment and doing well. When we first got her everything was new and a little scary: storm drains were not to be trusted, loud trucks and shopping carts were a little scary. She now takes new experiences in stride and is no longer startled by trucks and shopping carts, but she still does not totally trust storm drains! We are introducing her to many new things and experiences out in the world. She has been, and continues to go, to Old Town Alexandria, shopping centers, big box retailers, and walks throughout neighborhoods where she encounters lots of people and dogs walking about.  She loves riding in cars and is a perfect car companion. She also has very nice house manners. She likes being with her people and will politely ask to play with you, but if you are busy, she will lay quietly on her bed. She knows basic commands and has a near perfect heel on walks. She loves to play fetch and has an excellent retrieve. Layla is a very sweet dog who would do best in an all-adult home as the only pet.

She is a very workable dog, but will need continued training with her new family. If you are interested in adopting Layla, continued training is required with her current trainer, no exceptions. She and her trainer are located in Alexandria, VA.

Rehabilitating a dog such as Layla requires dedication, but watching a dog like Layla blossom as a result of your hard work is very gratifying. If you are interested in Layla or would like more information, please contact us at info@trainingrescues.org.

Magenta puppy is a female German Shepherd born December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• Aloof, not interested in people unless encouraged
• curious and brave
• does not do well with handling or restraint. needs work on both is a positive way
• will naturally retrieve, will not return with object
• prey drive
• will tug

Very assertive female. Very confident. Needs very experienced owner. Good sport or police prospect. Do not recommend home with young children. Without appropriate training, could develop defensive, protective behavior; territorial and/or resource guarding behavior. Needs a lot of: positive socialization, structure, and stimulation. 

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

Maltman is doing phenomenally well at his foster’s house.  He is very housebroken, eats his food gently and show no signs of resource guarding - allows his foster near his food bowl and to pet him when he's eating.  He took to the foster’s roommate right away.  He is friendly with everyone he meets on the street.  One night he was walking with his foster when they intersected a man with a hood and a big jacket when turning the corner. The man then leaned over to pet him and Maltman was happy and loose.  He rarely ever barks and doesn't even blink an eye when the foster’s roommate comes in through the front door unexpectedly after work at night.  He gets the zoomies sometimes and play bows bouncing around the apartment, but otherwise, he does great with the apartment lifestyle.  He wakes up around 7am for his morning walk (he is still on the shelter routine) and will let his foster know that its time to take him out.  He is so sweet and attentive.  He follows his foster around, but he is also independent and can entertain himself just fine.  He loves attention, but isn't a needy velcro dog.  He sleeps well on a big dog bed in the bedroom.  He likes chewing on bones and will toss around his soft, squeaky toys but doesn’t shred or de-stuff them very often.  He is left loose in the house with zero issues or incidents during the work day.  He walks well on leash and does not pull with his harness on.  He does bark when he sees a dog, does not redirect on his leash. His foster is working on the command "Let’s go!" as a way to keep him moving past other dogs.  He is doing well with this and resolves quickly.  He is quick to start reacting to another dog - pulling and barking, but he is fine when he actually approaches and interacts.  He again showed tolerance to a dog who was energetic and jumping up.  He is reactive but not aggressive.  

Navy Blue puppy is a male German Shepherd born December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• naturally social, people focused puppy
• does okay with handling and restraint, but still needs work to be relaxed
• will retrieve, but not return with object
• prey drive
• likes tugs 

Confident, stable, and social puppy. Good pet or working prospect. Needs Shepherd experienced home. Without appropriate training, could develop resource guarding behavior. Needs structure and stimulation.

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

Nina, an owner surrender, is a 6 year old spayed female German Shepherd. Nina is from Germany where her parents are Schutzhund titled sheep herders. That should give you an idea of her energy level, even at 6. She has energy and high drive with a very healthy prey drive. She must be the only dog. Ideally, she needs a home with lots of land in a rural setting. She will keep woodland creature populations in check! Nina has excellent obedience training and recall. She is very good with people and children, large and small. She is one of the most tolerant dogs with humans and obeys well. She did live with several children in her previous home. Nina can be active, but she can also settle down in the house. A family who runs, hikes, and spends lots of time outdoors will address her physical energy, but she also needs her mind engaged.

If you have a family and live in the country, this is an ideal situation for her. She is an excellent family companion, but is not good with other animals.

Interested adopters may contact info@trainingrescues.org for more information and to arrange a meet and greet.
 

Odin is a very sweet dog who loves people and dogs.

Orange puppy is a male German Shepherd born December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• not very social or naturally human focused
• does not do well with handling or restraint. Needs a lot of work on positive handling all over and restraint.
• will retrieve, but not return object. Could be taught to retrieve.

Very assertive and a little aloof. Needs an extremely experienced owner. Would not recommend home with young children because does not have the patience for them. Without appropriate training, could develop resource guarding behavior--need to work on trades and positive associations. Needs a lot of socialization and exposure.

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

Otto is a 3 month old male, black and tan German Shepherd. He was evaluated by a behavorist at 9 weks old. The finding are: 

• environmentally focused and confident to explore
• no sound sensitivity
• social and sweet, but not exceedingly human focused so needs work on engagement
• also needs work on bite inhibition
• tolerates handling, but does not like it, needs work on handling through conditioning
• curious about environment and will get into everything!
• will be a heavy chewer and pushy during adolecence--needs structure
• orally focused
• needs work on engagement and focus
• could develop defensive or reactive behavior if not handled often
• NOT a dog park dog

UPDATE: Since his initial evaluation, the behaviorist and fosters have been working with him on his socialization with handling, people, and dogs. He is now very social with people and enjoys handling and being held. He is social with calm, tolerant dogs and needs continued work with dogs. He is still NOT a dog park dog.

Interested adopters may submit an adoption application on the website at http://bit.ly/Adoption-TRD 

For additional information contact info@trainingrescues.org

Pepper is 1.5 yo spayed 60 lbs female German Shepherd. Her owners surrendered her due to changing family circumstances. Pepper is a happy, sweet girl. She loves all the attention and tummy rubs she gets from the staff at Creature Comfort Inn! She also enjoys training and is an excellent student. However, she does still have puppy brain and loses focus every so often, but she is so darn cute!! Pepper will need regular exercise and continued training with her new family. She rides well in a car and gets along with other dogs and people. Not sure how she does with cats. 

Interested adopters may contact info@trainingrescues.org for more information or to schedule a meet and greet.

Pink puppy is a female German Shepherd born on December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• naturally social puppy
• needs work on handling and restraint--handle all over using treats keeping it positive
• not a natural retriever

Could be a good "pet" assertive but people focused. Needs experienced Shepherd owner. Continue working on positive socialization. Will need structure and mental stimulation.

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

Purple puppy is a male German Shepherd born December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• not human focused, highly interested in environment and curious
• does well with handling--continue to make positive
• does not enjoy restraint. Needs a lot of work with handling while restrained
• not a natural retriever, no interest in ball or prey (tug)

Could be a good "pet." Assertive puppy and aloof. Needs and experienced Shepherd (or working breed) owner. Would do well with owners who owned Chows or Akitas. Would not recommend home with children. Will need a lot of socialization and exposure to avoid reactive behavior later in life.

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

Biscuit is about 12-14 months old, neutered and up to date with vaccines. He is good with people, children, and social dogs, if introduced appropriately. He does have a strong prey drive so no cats. He is very sweet, and extremely affectionate, but still very much a big puppy with no manners or previous training. Biscuit will need work on obedience and house manners. Because he did not get exposure to or live in a city everything is new to him. "Normal" life in the city/suburbs is loud and can be a bit intimidating for a dog that's used to big open space. Biscuit will need continued exposure and work on desensitizing him to all these new sights and sounds, to build his confidence and prevent reactive behavior as he matures. 

Our adoption contract does require follow on training in Alexandria with the trainer who is currently working with him. 

Red puppy is a male German Shepherd born December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• naturally social and human focused
• does well with handling and restraint, but only for short periods. Gets frustrated with restraint after some time.
• natural retrieve 
• prey drive
• likes tugs

Confident puppy, curious, not overly assertive or passive. Great for SAR, service dog, sport prospect. Nice well-rounded puppy. Will need structure and work to avoid trouble later.

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

Remy is a 1.5 year old female Sable German Shepherd. She is spayed and UTD on vaccines. She is an owner surrender, a casualty of divorce.

• Remy needs an owner with German Shepherd experience.
• a quiet home with little foot traffic
• no children 
• there will be mandatory training in Alexandria with Melissa Pink 

Remy has good leash manners and knows obedience commands. She is a smart girl and a fast learner. She has intense ball drive and loves to play fetch. She will need continued socialization and exposure to people and places to build her confidence. She can be slow to warm up to people, but when she does she is sweet and playful. She is house trained and rides well in the car. She is not a dog for first time German Shepherd owners. She needs a home with experience with the breed--mixes do not count. The family MUST be active. This is a dog who needs exercise. A walking companion is not sufficient for her. She must be the only dog and no cats. 

The adoption contract requires training with one of TRD's approved trainers.

Interested adopters may submit an adoption application on the website at http://bit.ly/Adoption-TRD 

For additional information contact info@trainingrescues.org

River is a 3.5 Sable female who was used for breeding her entire life. She is under socialized and never knew the finer things in life. However, despite this she is a sweet, but very scared and unsure of her new world. She is very affectionate and playful when she warms up and gains confidence that she is safe. She was used for breeding and lived outside in a pen not knowing the comforts of an indoor life. That has all changed now! She came to us on December 23 and on December 28 she gave birth to 11 healthy puppies. She was an excellent and devoted mother. She kept all 11 alive and well fed. Although she is undersocialized she wants to trust and explore her new world. She will need a quiet home and a patient human to continue her training and socialization, but she will reward this kindness with her devotion and loyalty. 

She has weened her puppies and soon will be spayed. Interested adopters may contact info@trainingrescues.org for more information.

River is a 4.5 y o  sable female who was used for breeding her entire life living outside in a pen where she never knew the finer things in life. However, despite this rough life, she is a sweet, affectionate, and playful looking to find her forever home. She does well with other dogs and will, most likely, do well with cats, especially if the cat is dog savvy. She will need a relatively quiet home without children and a family to continue her training and socialization, but she will reward this kindness with her devotion and loyalty. She is looking to bond with her special human. 

Rommel is Gretchen's sole surviving puppy.

Rosie is an owner surrender to a shelter where she lived outside in rural Virginia, but very much likes her new indoor dog life! She is about 1.5 y o. She is a sweet, friendly girl. Rosie was a little shut down from all the changes in her life, but she has come out of her shell with a personality of playfulness, happiness, and joy. She does need continuing confidence building.

She has been evaluated by a certified behaviorist/trainer. Her findings are as follows:

• she is sweet and people focused
• she was uncomfortable with forced handling (holding and touching feet) but very tolerant and accepting
• she needs work on conditioning and given space to choose contact and not forced to interact, she will demand attention and contact when wanted
• loves attention and petting, seeks human for assurance and when anxious
• not food motivated, but will accept food and treats
• likes toys
• seems ok with dogs, but will need slow introduction and time
• high risk for separation anxiety, showing some signs now. Can correct with appropriate conditioning

The adoption contract requires training with one of TRD's approved trainers.

Interested adopters may submit an adoption application on the website at http://www.trainingrescues.org/adoptprocess.html

For additional information contact info@trainingrescues.org

Meet Sabre! He is a stunning dark sable German Shepherd who is Training Rescue Dog's inaugural rescue!

Thor is a big, gorgeous German Shepherd! He weighs 110lbs and is not fat. He is an owner surrender and will need a strong, confident leader who has breed experience. He is very smart and a little stubborn, but a great d...og for a human up to the challenge! More pictures will be posted soon. He is currently with a trainer. Not for first time German Shepherd owners. Must have breed experience.

Timberlake was on the euthanasia list, but was pulled just in time. He is a sweet and very smart 1 yr old male Shepherd/Lab mix. He is housebroken, crate trained, and has had basic obedience training. He does very well with other dogs. Timberlake also does well with adults and children of all ages. He has lots of energy to play or to  be a running companion, but he also can settle down and snuggle on the sofa. He is looking for his forever home, could that be yours? Timberlake is fostered in Roanoke. Interested adopters may contact info@trainingrescues.org for more more information and arrange a meet and greet.

Xander is a gorgeous 2 year old, long coat black and red neutered male German Shepherd. He was an owner surrender to a DC shelter. All other German Shepherd rescues passed him up and he was out of options. The shelter called to ask if we could make room for him. His assessment at the shelter was unremarkable, but we sent him to spend some time with trainers to assess his temperament before making him available for adoption. The trainers report he has a good temperament, shows no aggression toward other dogs, and is friendly with all people who approach him, however children and cats are unknown. He is not food motivated, but responsive to commands. He also rides well in a car. In his previous home, he was left to his own devices and never had any structure or training.

Xander will need a home with previous German Shepherd experience and will need continued training with an approved trainer. Previous experience includes handling and training another pure bred German Shepherd as an adult. Approved trainers are trainers with whom TRD currently works.

Interested adopters may submit an adoption application online at www.trainingrescues.org. For inadtional information, please email info@trainingrescues.org. 

Xena, the Warrior Princess, is a stunning 7 month old female German Shepherd. She is an owner surrender from a family who did not understand the demands of the breed. She is a sweet puppy eager to learn, but very high energy. She needs a family who is VERY active. She will only be adopted to those who live an active lifestyle. She rides well in a car and loves ice cream cones! She did live with a toddler, but she is active and very physical so small children could be knocked over due to her exuberance. She has good ball drive and will play fetch for hours. As she matures, she will need continued socialization to build her confidence and make her a well-rounded dog. She will complete basic training, but follow-on training is required as part of the adoption contract. If you are an active family and would like to schedule a meet and greet, please email info@trainingrescues.org

Yellow puppy is a male German Shepherd born December 28, 2015.

The Volhard puppy temperament test was conducted on 2-14-16. The following are observations based on the puppy's performance.

• social, human focus--continue with socialization and positive outings
• does not enjoy handling for long periods of time or confinement--work on restraint and handling with treats to keep positive
• not a natural retriever 

Could be a good "pet" but needs an experienced Shepherd owner. Assertive, but adapts wells Will need structure and mental stimulation.

Training is a requirement under the adoption contract with a TRD-approved trainer.

Zach is a very handsome owner surrender. He is just 1.8 years old weighing 85 pounds and a stunning young dog imported from Germany. He is affectionate and playful once he gets to know you and develops a relationship. He tends to warm up more quickly to men, but is good with both men and women. However, he does respect correction more coming from a man. He is very smart and full of energy so he will need an active family to give him required exercise. Zach needs a home where there are no children and no other pets. 

Interested adopters may contact info@trainingrescues.org for more information and to arrange a meet and greet. 

Bio to be updated

Zev is about an 8 month old dark sable German Shepherd puppy. According to the shelter, he has a phenomenal temperament! During the evaluation, he let the evaluator tug his legs, pick up hind legs, hold his tail, dig in his mouth. He also seems good with other dogs and cats. 

We will post additional information as we get to know him. He is fostered in Falls Church, VA.

UPDATE: Zev does, indeed, have a phenomenal temperament. He is a happy puppy who gets along with cats, dogs, toddlers, children, and adults. He is crate trained, although will complain a bit when he first goes in, but settles quickly. He rides well in a car and has very good manners when dining out at a sidewalk cafe. He is fostered in a house with cats and would like to play, but when rebuffed he accepts it and moves along. He plays very nicely with dogs and is respectful of smaller dogs who do not interested in his invitations to play. 

There is a training requirement under the adoption contract with an approved trainer. Interested adopters should submit an online adoption application at www.trainingrescues.org