Sure I'd be happy to answer any questions about Rosie. I originally wasn't going to respond as it was pretty disheartening to read some of the assumptions and accusations being thrown around about the handling of her case but I feel it's better to clear the air and try to give some people an understanding of 1) the dogs and 2) the way we deal with them.
I am not sure how many people on this forum have handled working line (WL) Shepherds so please don't find this condescending, I just feel it's important to offer some background as to the breed, as I noticed many of the profile pictures are of small breeds and these WL Shepherds are a league of their own!
WL Shepherds are selectively bred with the following traits in mind (amongst others): high energy, high prey drive, high protective instincts. We see dogs with these traits often: Malinois, Dutchies and - as with Rosie's case - working line GSDs. Protective instincts in Belgian and WL GSDs are normal - it's part of why they make such great law enforcement, military and personal protection dogs. The other facet to German Shepherds in general is that they are "velcro dogs" who are extremely prone to separation anxiety, they bond strongly and it’s a double-edged sword when it comes to the breed in general.
So when it comes to Rosie she has the following issues:
She bonds incredibly quickly to one person and feels the need to protect them against, well, anything. In her particular case she has issues with other dogs being in proximity to her "person" and will attempt to place herself between other dogs and her humans; she’ll nudge, nip, mount, barge and bark at the other dog. Keeping in mind that much of Rosie’s past experience with other dogs has been trying to keep her numerous litters of puppies safe while on a 5m chain…. The behaviour isn't evident right away, it really only presents itself when she has bonded and feels the need to be protective. Yes, it’s borderline possessive, but it’s born of that natural instinct to resource guard and protect what she deems as “hers”.
- She has a high prey drive; she hated my cats. She would happily chase my cats all day long if given the chance and if she couldn't get to them (i.e. she on one side of the door, they on the other) she would bark and scratch at the door. This behaviour, again, is seen prevalently in the breed and to me, it’s something you manage and are constantly aware of rather than “train out” of them (unless you’re partial to e-Collars and let’s not go down that road today…)
Rosie is fundamentally a sweet, loving dog and she does not display outward aggression, but she does possess a high prey drive, high protective instincts and a desire to resource guard her humans. These things take time to work on, but they can definitely be managed in the right home.
In our experience, and with speaking to three different trainers and behaviourists, we decided the best way to rehabilitate Rosie (keeping in mind that she has not in her 4 years of life ever been treated as a family pet) would be with a foster carer - how else are we going to create the bond required to correct those behaviours? This then puts Rosie in a comfortable, no pressure situation while we work with paid professionals to get her issues under control. Sure, this does take a committed carer and it's a lot to ask but there are people out there who are willing to dedicate the time and energy to work with a dog like Rosie, which is where the emotionally charged advert comes in.
As someone pointed out it's much easier to rehome puppies and we had 4 black, female, WL Shepherds, all around the same age, all looking for foster/adopt homes. So how do you get people to engage? Respond? Send in an application? Donate to the thousands of dollars worth of bills we had? You anthropomorphise the heck out of that post. The practice is certainly up for debate and ridicule - as evidenced here on this forum - but you know what? It works. If anthropomorphising with an over-the-top Facebook post is going to ensure that our dog goes to a home that is committed to her and working on her issues then we’re going to keep doing it. If we’re being real, I’d dance naked on a rooftop singing ABBA covers if it meant that our dogs ended up in the perfect home - I love them, I care about them, I want the best for them, I’d do anything for them.
Rosie was being looked over. As another poster has correctly identified, the soft and mushy post is designed to pull at the heart strings but it’s then followed up with a very intensive application and screening process. I do want applicants that are emotionally invested in the dogs - who wouldn’t want that?
Now just a few things I’d like to address while I have some time (very valuable in rescue!).
TBH, when I first read your comment, “are you also looking for an experienced home for her as opposed to the bleeding heart type”, I was a little offended. To me it’s common sense to place a dog like Rosie with an experienced carer and to infer otherwise is condescending as anything. So to put it simply - yes, of course, no question. However, let’s get to the core of that question, what makes you say “as opposed to”? Since when did ‘experienced’ and ‘bleeding heart type’ become mutually exclusive? In fact, the experienced, bleeding heart types make some of the best carers! Being able to channel your emotions in to action is a valuable skill - it’s why Belgian Shepherd Rescue Australia exists… Similarly, we do not adopt our dogs out on a 'first come, first served' basis! The amount of time that our committee spends screening, interviewing, reference checking and trialling is crazy. For 3 reasons: 1) We have to protect the dogs in our care and the people charged with caring for them 2) We have to protect the reputation of our breed and 3) I studied Law at Uni so there is a sensible girl within my bleeding heart exterior who is not about to be sued and jeopardise the hard work we have put in to build this rescue.
I guess in summary, I know that the decisions we make and the way we run our rescue will not always appease everyone and that’s okay. Our dogs are safe, healthy and happy and that’s a job well done in my book. If anthropomorphic posts will continue to garner incredible homes for our dogs then so be it.
I must say that it is nice to have feedback though. We have definitely taken what you’ve said on board. For anyone that’s been following the rescue you’ll know the posts written in “first canine” are a new thing for us and we have taken heed of the comments discussing the length and extremity of the posts and it’s given us something to work towards. We are always open to constructive criticism, it’s something I feel is important so my inbox is always open. If you feel there is something we could work on then please feel free to flick me an email, had it not been for one of the forum members emailing me this thread I would never have seen the feedback.
Cheers if you read right the way to the end, now go outside and play with your doggies - it’s a beautiful day :)
