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| Grace - 21 month old Blue/Gold long coat bitch | |
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| Topic Started: 7 Sep 2009, 03:24 PM (1,011 Views) | |
| moensch | 7 Sep 2009, 03:24 PM Post #1 |
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Newbie
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Hello everybody This is my first post, so here a bit of information about me: My name is Samuel and I am 24 years old. I currently live in Aylesbury (Bucks). I have (had, story to follow) an absolutely beautiful Blue & Gold long coat GSD girl which, unfortunately, I need to rehome. So here is Grace's story (yes, it is long, but there is a reason I give absolutely ALL information here...): My wife (Sarah) and I got Grace as a pup from a breeder in Hove (Jestony German Shepherds) early February 2008 when she was nine weeks old. Within the same week we also picked up a 4/5 month old kitten from a cat rescue home - the two get on absolutely brilliantly. Well, apart from my cat being lazy and Grace being very active and constantly wanting to play with him ;-) We have taken Grace to puppy classes as soon as she was vaccinated. This was with the Chequers branch of the BAGSD. Grace has done really well and proven to be a clever dog and very eager and willing to please. As soon as she was old enough I started taking her to agility as well - she absolutely loved it! She has always been very active, ever since she was a pup. As she gotten older it emerged that most of it was fuelled by anxiety. She was good around the people she knew (e.g. in training), but I have had problems with people in my house or strangers walking up to me when I was walking her on the lead. Around about that time, my wife and I split up (December 08). Grace has lived with Sarah for six weeks and was then back with me for four weeks when Sarah went on holidays. Well, the four weeks turned into eight months  I continued taking Grace to the classes at Chequers BAGSD and agility, but soon realized that, for her to be a more confident and less anxious dog something else was needed. So for the last six months I have trained with the absolutely brilliant people at Barking Mad in Stevenage, Herts (http://www.barkingmaddts.co.uk/). Initially, I had a bunch of 1-on-1 sessions, lots of socialization (strangers walking her on the lead, giving her treats, leaving her there for doggy day care to get used to more people and new dogs). This has shown really good results and I soon joined the group classes at Barking Mad. Six months later, I have a different dog! She absolutely loves being around other dogs (took her to GSD walks and walks with friends). She gets used to new people much quicker and is generally less stressed out. I had two different lodgers living with me in the time Grace was with me and she got used to both of them in what I would call no time. What took weeks earlier, was now accomplished in two days. People can take her in and out of her crate, put her on a lead, play with her and even discipline her if she is trying to act up. She is very obedient, as long as the handler is confident and firm. I have always had rehoming at the back of my mind. Mostly, because I am in full time work. I arranged it with my work so that I was able to walk her at lunch times (on top of her morning and evening walk), but I always knew that she could do with more. Unfortunately now, I have to down size and am not able to fit her into my new home.. :-( Because of the really good results I have from the training at Barking Mad I am now confident enough to say that she is ready to go to a new home. So, Saturday a week ago, 10 days back, I have brought Grace to a new home. It went really well, the family immediately fell in love with her. They have a 12 y/o lab/retriever and a cat, Grace got on with both of them. They had one GSD before which passed away. Unfortunately though, they have to give her back. The father in the family was able to fully control and discipline her nearly immediately. Grace would listen to his every word and be very obedient. But the problem was the mum which is the one spending all day with her. She was too nervous and not confident enough around Grace which has led to an incident yesterday where Grace nipped one of their friend's children when they were in their home (no bad bite, no broken skin, "just" a nip). At this point they decided to rather give Grace back because it probably would have taken the mum too long to really be confident in Grace. So for now Grace is going back to my wife Sarah which lives in Bolton (Manchester). Well, long story short, we are looking for a new home for Grace. Now from how I know my dog and from the experience I had with the rehoming attempt the "perfect" home would be: - Experience with GSDs essential - Confident and firm handler. Grace is a brilliant dog, but she needs a clear authority. Through the rehoming experience I have learned myself that Grace will listen to everybody very quickly, even complete strangers, as long as they are consistent and authoritative - No young children - She is absolutely brilliant around other dogs. So if you still have a GSD, I bet the two will become best friends. - She is a very active girl. So the more exercise she gets during the day, the better. Take her on a 4 hour walk? - no problem! Grace is: - used to sleeping in a crate - 100% house trained - Used to bonding with just one person, so in a home with two handlers, make sure both are consistent in their handling and work as a team - Still a bit wary of strangers in the house. Generally absolutely fine with women, more wary of men - Good with cats (but very playful and might still chase if the cat runs away) - Currently in Bolton, Manchester. So a home in this area is preferred. But I live in Bucks and can accommodate for people in Herts/Beds/Bucks. I will soon upload some photos. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a ring on 078 408 79 603. I really hope I didn't put Grace in a bad light with all the information I have given here. She really is a wonderful dog, she just needs a firm hand, that's all. I am totally confident that in the right home with good handling she will continue to become an absolutely great dog which will give you lots of rewards. She loves to learn things, she loves to please. She is eager to work out every new challenge you give her. She loves being around dogs, she picked up new commands during obedience very quickly, she thrives on long walks, she has most fun doing Agility and.. she is the cutest thing ever ;-) Edited by moensch, 8 Sep 2009, 04:11 PM.
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| gsdlover | 7 Sep 2009, 03:36 PM Post #2 |
Madly in love with Nigel
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Welcome to BIGGSD - i am sorry that you are having to rehome Grace  It sounds like you have put in a lot of training with her....you have been very honest about her in your post  Just for information, is Grace neutered & up to date with her vaccinations? Is there any chance that her breeder will take her back? Or at least help you find a suitable new home for her? Good luck in finding her a new home. |
| http://www.vigilgsdrescue.co.uk | |
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| moensch | 7 Sep 2009, 03:47 PM Post #3 |
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Newbie
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Grace has been spayed in March this year. The operation went without any complications, it healed and she recovered very very quickly. Vaccination, flea treatment and worming is 100% up to date.  The day we got her!  Backyard-agility!     Why do people constantly ask me if I crimp her hair? ;-)  Being loving on Kyo, my tomcat  Yes, she loves the snow   This face you usually see just after she's been naughty - she ALWAYS knows when she has done something she shouldn't have ;-) |
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| gsdlover | 7 Sep 2009, 03:55 PM Post #4 |
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Madly in love with Nigel
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Very pretty girl 
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| http://www.vigilgsdrescue.co.uk | |
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| shannon111 | 7 Sep 2009, 04:34 PM Post #5 |
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Dogmatic Poster
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i'm so sorry you need to rehome grace. she looks a lovely dog. who is obviously very loved. |
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| Moobli | 7 Sep 2009, 05:36 PM Post #6 |
GSD Lover
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I am very sorry to hear you have to rehome Grace She looks and sounds to be a very beautiful dog. I was just wondering whether you have contacted her breeder and explained your need to rehome Grace, as you have here? Any good and responsible breeder will take back any pups they have bred and then find them another good home. Just a thought. I do hope Grace finds a wonderful home really soon. |
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Kirsty Flame & Yogi (LH Sheps) and Moss & Rip (Border Collies) Lammermuir Hills, Scotland | |
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| moensch | 7 Sep 2009, 05:42 PM Post #7 |
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Newbie
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I didn't even think about going back to the breeder. Well, mainly possibly because she is in Brighton and I am in Bucks and Grace currently is up in Manchester. And also because it has already been over a year and a half since we got her. I think I would really just prefer it if we could directly find her a home rather than having to go through "steps" in between. Hence the reason I adapted my life and work to accommodate her in the last six months to avoid having to bring her to a rescue home. But I guess you're making a good point. I will have a chat with my wife and come up with a plan. Nevertheless, if any of you know of a good home, please give me a call. Any handler, even with just a bit of experience, will be able to have her in their home, as long as they keep on top of her. She's still a teen, after all 
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| Moobli | 7 Sep 2009, 05:49 PM Post #8 |
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GSD Lover
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I understand what you are saying, but I am sure the breeder would be gutted to know that one of his/her dogs had been passed on without any recourse to themselves. Personally, I would give the breeder a ring and explain your circumstances. You could also stress that you would like Grace to go straight into a new home, rather than going back to the breeder and then onto a new home and I am sure you will be able to work something out between you. Good luck, she is a very pretty dog, so I am sure you will find her a good home before too long. |
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Kirsty Flame & Yogi (LH Sheps) and Moss & Rip (Border Collies) Lammermuir Hills, Scotland | |
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| richardalan | 7 Sep 2009, 06:44 PM Post #9 |
members 1-4 of the pink coach company
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 please please look at your email and pm as jean <ozziesmum > is very very interested in your girl,she cannot pm so have asked me to try and contact you . very experienced with the breed as anyone on here will tell you .  
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richard/doreen gaisha/gandhi the marlow madhouse  
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| ¢¾Lorraine¢¾ | 7 Sep 2009, 07:08 PM Post #10 |
GSD Addict
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I've sent Sam a text asking him to check the site. |
 Lorraine Chequers BAGSD | |
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| jakes mum | 7 Sep 2009, 08:46 PM Post #11 |
GSD Addict
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shes a lovely girl i hope she finds a lovely home soon 
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[/img] "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. you are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." little bruce has come to stay !! | |
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| Astralhaze | 7 Sep 2009, 08:52 PM Post #12 |
You're Damed If You Do & You're Damed If You Don't
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Hi Have pm'd you. |
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Hazel Mum of Toula Cyrus Molly   Toula is a Beckenberry GSD.Cyrus is an Irish Boy   RIP Jazzy Beckenberry Zodiac 28/4/93-20/1/07 | |
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| moensch | 8 Sep 2009, 02:39 PM Post #13 |
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Newbie
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Hi all Just a quick FYI to all because some of the previous posts on this thread might be misleading. I am still looking for a good home for my lovely girl. But please don't be distracted by looks... Thank you all! You've all been a great help so far! |
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| Rufismum | 8 Sep 2009, 09:07 PM Post #14 |
GSD Puppy
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Hi I'm really sorry you're having to re-home your girl. I have a lovely blue & gold boy and they're very special dogs, however I do agree with earlier posts - you pay a premium from a good breeder and no doubt travelled a good distance to choose her as a pup, we do that for a decent pedigree and the dog of our dreams. The breeder also has a responsibility to help out with problems and most good breeders proud of their repuation will be happy do that. You might find they have contacts closer to where your dog is who could help or they might have someone on their waiting list who really wants an older dog out of the pup stage - its also in most breeders contract of sale that you go back to them for re-homing, no-one is trying to be bossy but there might be a ready made support network that you haven't tapped into yet. I can think of two GSD breeders breeding blue and golds in the north that your breeder probably knows - also there is one North Wales which isn't too far from Bolton. Good luck anyway! Lisa Edited by Rufismum, 29 Oct 2009, 05:34 PM.
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| moensch | 8 Sep 2009, 09:12 PM Post #15 |
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Newbie
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*digs out his breeders phone number* ;-) |
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