Two Best Dogs!

I think you've done the most sensible thing for your family, even if it was really difficult. I know you said you didn't want a tiny puppy but what about the 4 month old girl in WA? She looks pretty cute.. She was 4.5 months in august...wouldn't that make her about 6.5 months old now if she is still available? https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/mature/german-shepherd-dog.asp?state=WA and if available, after a meet, chat and think about it - probably be more like 7+ months old when bought ... :D

Well done talie on getting Dozer so calm and out of the way! Nothing worse than a big dog underfoot while cooking :laugh: This thread jinxed us because...we had a big win! Thistle didn't growl at head trainer today. Thistle nosed his hand then put her head on it (chin scratchies please)!!!! She got a whole piece of duck and a lot of praise then we quickly left on the good note so she didn't overthink her proximity to him. :thumbsup: She also made friends with Ralphie today, a bouncy bc x type who really likes sniffing her butts. They've had driveby sniffs previously, but this is first time we let them play out a full greeting then hang around each other. She tried to play with...Ziggy? a golden x who is gorgeous and a delight. I had a pretty good feeling she'd like that dog. However, no saying hello yet until they are both calm in each other's presence. Right now they make eye contact and get the sillies! and!!! best win of all!! we met mowgliandme! *waves at them* I was frazzled but so glad to meet! Thistle got the small dog sillies though, so I couldn't say hello to mowgli without her breaking position and probably jumping on him. Think of the cutest and fluffiest dog in the world. Times it by 10. That's Mowgli! Who's already in puppy-advanced! Doing a great job!

*hugs* *hugs* *hugs* *hugs* *hugs* How you hanging in there? I'm sure everyone would love to help you find a young adult GSD, combing Facebook pages and checking in with contacts ???? There are dogs out there waiting for you, we just got to find them!

Every obedience class I wear my knee brace, just in case something happens and my leg needs the extra support! Dogs live to cause injury! Also my shoulder always hurts these days... from the chuck it!

Agreed with Maddy. We have very little to go on about the other people and the level of care this GSD will receive on return and who is the ""better"" owner. Seems this GSD is likely to be alright no matter which home, sounds like a well adjusted, healthy and happy dog they raised. Better that remi have their meeting with them tomorrow to find out what's up, why the second thoughts, talk things out and together everyone to make a decision. Chances are they are feeling as stressed as remi and that's why they're getting these disjointed communications. People panic when scared or think they'll never see someone again. But if they can sit down and talk, come to an agreement, better that than for both sides to part in bad feelings and confusion. I'm hoping remi is sleeping and not reading all these wondering and what ifs. Best to go into it as calm as possible, get an answer so this can be put behind ???? (I know, if it were me I'd be on this forum going around in circles on worst case scenarios and freaking myself out! ???? And probably return the dog. But the two days of fretting would not be fun!) Edit. You all type faster than me... now I am a broken record hah!

I think he exceeded task 13 then! How did you injure your head last time?

Task 13 makes you walk into walls?!,!?! ????????????

Oh remi, lots of hugs! You will find yourself a gorgeous GSD that does not come with such complicated attachments! Can you go to some local dog shows to meet breeders in person? It seems to me they pass news by word of mouth when a dog is in need of a home, internet advertisements being a last resort. I'm sure they'll know of many dogs who have gone back to breeders through no fault of their own and are waiting to put muddy paws all over your heart!

Please try to relax! The more you talk about it, the more it sounds like they are struggling with their decision because they do not know what is right either. Fair enough, sounds like they love their dog a lot! So of course will be struggling with all of this. Take your documents, sit down and have a chat with them. Make a cup of tea for everyone. Whatever decision happens, make sure both you and him are clear on it so no room for confusion. (with polite language of course! You are all going to be a bit emotional regardless) If it looks like it's going to become your dog, but with some visits allowed, just ask them to put it in signed writing that the dog is yours but they'd like to visit her or get updates on how she is going at christmas or something. Get the chip changes signed. If it looks like they've realised they've made a horrible mistake and are all set to reorganise their schedule for their dog - I'd give her back and look for another dog. Busy hours and a small yard do not a bad owner make. They can work around it and through it, but may not have realised that it is totally feasible. It is very easy to put up a rehoming add then forget about it until it all happens and you're without a loved companion. You mentioned earlier they'd offered to return the money and then some? I think that would lean against it being a scam and more of an "oh god what did we do". It is unfortunate that sometimes people think the best thing is to surrender a pet, without realising they can work through it. I did it once, because I had people telling me that as a uni student I couldn't possible care for my 3 pets properly, between study and work. So I rehomed 2 of them. I have regretted it ever since, in retrospect it was completely feasible! But I did not realise this because everyone else seemed to think I couldn't. So I sympathise greatly with the former owners, especially since they worked up the courage to contact you so quickly! I didn't want to bother the new owners but even 8 years later, it still hurts. So please try not to overthink it. You are being very reasonable, but you don't know what's going on in their heads and what they're thinking. That is why you need to sit down and talk about it! But also try not to overthink it and go in with assumptions that they are a poor owner or a dodgy scam - as it may come through in your conversation with them. You are doing your best and you're being quite a decent person about it. Have the meeting and hear out their thoughts and feelings, share yours, come to an agreement of sorts together.

Much the same here Snook :) Haven't really had any set backs, haven't really had any huge wins. Just pleasant ongoing life with a bit of management. But then, isn't that a win? :thumbsup: We found a new park to visit today. It was a lovely visit. We watched the ducks, she only got a little anxious/stare over other dogs (also on leads!!), did jump when a dad ran past playing chasies with his kids. But nothing alarming. Just worried. But all in all, just a nice hour and a bit walking about sniffing/pissing everywhere in a new location. I wish I had known about this park last year! We have had some more play dates with various dogs. Thistle and Didi had a small misunderstanding during play, but it wasn't a big deal and back to playing. I am pleased to report I am feeling a bit better after things like this too! Much less freaking out from me All very good :)

It is good to think hard about it. :)

Have you spoken with these people? https://www.petrescue.com.au/groups/10692 Also mark wellock - 0417 176 832 [email protected] Does the GSD clubs rescue in WA apparently. Might be worth shooting through an email Id follow this one too, they currently have some older gsds so might get younger ones. They also might know of rescues who have one - will need to ask http://bfarescue.com.au I hope you come to a decision quickly. The longer the wait the harder it will be for all of you

It is pretty sad all around and upsetting for all involved. I expect the other family didn't realise it was happening and how much they'd miss the dog until it's all happened. But they have gotten back to you so fast that I think it's all genuine regret. There is a dog out there somewhere who will fit in with you, I've no doubt. But this one I think fits better elsewhere. itd be a bit like ripping off a bandaid for you I think. But your child is young and I'm sure would be excited to help you look again :) Have you considered GSD rescues? Quite a few are there simply because their owners were unable to keep them. Even if none currently available, you could touch base so your their first thought when a young dog comes in. And I'm sure lots of ppl on this forum would jump to help you hunt out a dog. It is awfully fun!

I would give her back personally. If it had been a month or so, I'd say no. But 24 hours? You haven't had that much time to bond with the dog. Sounds like the whole thing has become real to the original owners and theyve realised it was the wrong decision. They probably thought they "had" to get rid of her due to a small yard and other downsizing pressures. It is up to you i guess. I'm not sure the legalities around this. But I would give it back. Imagine how they must feel. You've had less than 24 hours. They have had a whole year. i am not sure I could keep a dog if they contacted me so soon. You will find your dog. There are 21 older gsds currently looking for homes on this website. Surely you could meet some of those ?

She loves water, but I think the strangeness of the situation and the people watching will likely put her off like it did with weight pulling. I think it is because the dog is very much alone without many other dogs to emotionally buffer her from the strange ppl about. Kavik that is horrible

You link works better on this one, interested to read about it later.

Thank you kavik! I'll look this up on way home. Dogs chase really big balls? I am feeling better about our dog on dog interactions provided it is even with both on lead or both off lead. I think f

???? finding something that is a good fit for both of us (and possible future dogs) and not incredibly far away is proving difficult!

I guess I was hoping there is some kind of small casual watered down version of it? Where people are in it for fun and learning, testing their own skills without getting overly competitive. I am hearing many kind things on rallyo and thistle and I have had 2 informal goes at it. But I don't think at any point the dog gets to work away from you?

Thanks PK I did try the GSD place near us because they gave tracking and rallyo. They won't have a mixed breed though. the malamute club is completely welcoming, but alas thistle won't weightpull in public - the people watching make her too nervous to enjoy it and I won't force her. And the ess tracking lot said we are welcome to do tracking with them (they clash with my obedience though and are a far distance. But id Like to one day because the appearance difference would look funny) I've had a place in Keillor suggested and their website looks much more promising. I'll give them a call today to chat about it. They have more activities and training than the GSD available too, I think we could easily meet their lvl 4 standards to attend rallyo classes. At least I'm getting a collection of different options, but dsys and times are harder to match

Yeah, I suspect finding one that isn't super competitive will be difficult. Really not a fan of the super competitive culture, had some bad experiences with comp. obed. people and agility people so looking at....uh...alternative activities that could be fun...and safe and controlled that also teach us new things. some fun structured activity... Am tentatively interested in RallyO too, but that seems a bit easier to find. But I'm looking for things that get Thistle out away from me and help build up some confidence being at a distance with a job to do. ergo tracking, and flyball (that has just been suggested to me by some ppl) But are also not 2-3 hours away!

As title says, flailing about in google trying to find somewhere that isn't too far away that ideally do flyball and tracking. Not interested in a super competitive club, one that is welcoming enough to a keen but inexperienced handler and her big mixed breed ;) Interesting in tracking but just had flyball suggested to me. Hoping there's a 2 in 1 club nearby, somewhere. damned if i can find them on google though.

Get that permission in writing first, before making any commitments to a dog.

Of course! Even with their favourite thing as a bribe, dogs have preferred activities and ways to bond, so would expect different dogs enjoy training to different levels (assuming in this case they're all receiving the same type of hypothetical training with their preferred reward) I think you can definitely build and manipulate for them to get some emotional value out of it given enough time. But some are just not going to enjoy it as much as others. No reason for ppl not to train dogs in the basics to the best of their ability of course ;) I suspect dog #2 will be very different to train and I am in for a shock. Thistle loves and thrives on training. Loves it beyond average dog enjoyment. Will dog #2 love it to this degree? Who knows. I'll have to find out when I get it and get to know it. But I don't mind. I love having different types of dogs

I'm not really a fan of this, I think. Looks like a lead with an attachment to catch the toy when the dog drops it. I can just imagine it dangling and dragging on the ground, being a fiddly pain. The big change is just teaching dog to carry stuff to Keep it occupied? At least that will encourage a scattering of people to interact with their dog, learning a new skill. But the design itself I am :/ on