Dogs Available through Owner Placement

Sometimes unforeseen circumstances force German Shepherd owners to seek a new home for their dog(s). This page serves to link such individuals with potential new owners--and to help prevent the tragedy of owners surrendering their pets to a shelter.

GSRSV is not involved in the adoption process of dogs listed on this page. Individuals interested in adopting a dog listed below should contact the owner directly at the phone number or e-mail listed. Because GSRSV is has not evaluated the dogs listed here, I cannot take responsibility for their temperament or health.

If you are an owner interested in listing your German Shepherd Dog(s) here, please see How to Place a Dog Through GSRSV.

This picture indicates that a dog has proven itself to be OK with cats.

Last updated 05/23/2022

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"Oblivion" is a 1 yr, 3 month old intact male GSD mix who is loving, playful and protective. Oblivion is a family dog who loves being around his people and canine friends.

Oblivion is current on his vaccinations. He presently has some allergy-related itching and skin issues that developed early this year. He was seen by a vet in February who prescribed some medications and a special diet. Though his skin condition improved temporarily, his itching returned after about a month and his people discontinued the use of the meds and special diet. In mid-May, Oblivion’s people switched him to a salmon-based dry food, biotin, and raw garlic in a more holistic approach to treating his allergies.

Oblivion is not neutered, but his people will pay for this procedure.

Oblivion is very protective. He will bark and growl at people he has not met before when they come inside the house. He does become friendly with visitors once his people have properly introduced him, but it takes awhile.

Oblivion has grown up with three boys, now ages 6, 9 & 13, and he is very gentle and loving with them. However, if they get too close to him and he wants to be left alone, he will let them know with a little growl. The boys know to respect Oblivion’s personal space.

Oblivion was raised with two female dogs—one a little dog and one a medium-sized dog—and adored both of them. He would play with them and share his toys with them. He has not interacted with other dogs outside his home, however. [Is this correct?]

Oblivion was also raised with two cats and was great with them. He used to play with them, but when he became larger and started to play a little rougher, the cats decided to back away a bit. In any event, a home with cats is a definite possibility for Oblivion.

Oblivion is housetrained and is accustomed to being both indoors and outdoors. He has a couch outside that he likes to lay on and he likes to patrol the backyard. He sleeps inside wherever he pleases. He is kept inside at night because otherwise he’ll bark at feral cats and other nocturnal critters.

Oblivion has not received any formal obedience training but his people work with him all the time reinforcing basic commands. He walks really well on a leash with no distractions. When he sees another dog while out on walks he sometimes will pull toward the other dog, but refocuses quickly. Oblivion rides very well in a vehicle.

Oblivion loves to play fetch, tug-of-war, keep-away with his stuffies, and soccer with a hard plastic ball.

Oblivion’s people brought him home as a 6-7 wk old puppy. Though Oblivion is an integral part of their family, they are having to make a quick job-related move to San Francisco and were unable to find a place they could afford that would allow Oblivion.
They are moving at the end of May, so they need to find a new home for Oblivion before then.

Oblivion is located in Red Bluff. There is no adoption fee but a $300 neuter deposit will be required, which will be refunded once Oblivion is neutered within 60 days of adoption. Again, Oblivion’s people will pay for his neutering.

Please contact Casara Shaw at 530-709-0690 or ladyazayzal@gmail.com.

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"Chase" is an 85-lb, approx 2½-yo neutered male GSD who is loving, obedient and protective. He has excellent manners and loves to snuggle.

Chase is friendly with most everyone he meets in the house after a proper introduction. He is also fine meeting strangers outside the house.

Chase has yet to be introduced to any children, but there’s no reason to believe he wouldn’t be fine with them.

Chase is great with all but small dogs—he does not like the little ones. He lives with a female GSD who he loves to play with. (Click here to see a video of Chase playing with a visiting dog.) He is also good at the dog park.

Chase has never lived with cats and would likely not do well with them, so a home without cats is in order.

Chase is housetrained and very well-behaved inside. His people keep him inside with their other dog when they are gone. Chase likes to view the world outside from a window. He sleeps in the home office.

Chase is good on leash and non-reactive towards other dogs he sees while on walks, though he definitely wants to check them out. Chase also has very good off-leash recall.

Chase loves riding in the car (especially with the windows down!) and is a polite passenger.

Chase loves to play fetch, chase, keep away and hide n’ seek. He loves a good chew toy (like a Nylabone) or a stuffed animal. He also loves being outdoors, watching for critters or just laying in the sun. He is not a digger.

Chase’s people took him in when he was about nine months old and have had him for 22 months. Chase had been used to protect a pot farm in Yreka, and was rescued by a relative of the son of one of Chase’s people (Audrey). Recently, Audrey’s husband was playing fetch w/ Chase when Chase caught view of the elderly neighbor and bit his hand for no apparent reason. The HOA that governs the housing development that Audrey and her husband live in have told them they must rehome Chase due to the bite incident.

Chase is located in Lincoln. His adoption fee is $100.

Please contact Audrey Lopez at audreylopez88@yahoo.com or 916-812-1160 (texting works best).

Posted 5-9-22

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"Ammo" is an intact 85-lb, 2-yo (born Jan 2020) male Black Lab/GSD who is energetic, goofy and somewhat anxious. He is a loving dog who needs lots of exercise and could use more training and socialization with people.

Ammo is initially apprehensive when meeting strangers. He’ll bark a bit, then is OK after sniffing them. He has never bit anybody, but he has growled when at the vet and the groomer.

Ammo has been raised with children ranging from 2 -10 yrs (presently). He has always done well w/ the kids up until recently when he began to growl when the 2-yo approaches him. Most likely there was an incident in which the toddler poked or otherwise irritated Ammo.

Ammo is great with other dogs. He lives with an Australian Shepherd and has play dates w/ the English Bulldog next door. He is fine w/ strange dogs as well.

Ammo has never been around cats so a home without cats is recommended.

Ammo is housetrained and sleeps inside. He is kept outside with the other dog when his people are gone.

Ammo walks well on leash when there are no distractions. He gets very excited when he sees another dog and pulls towards the dog, but only out of a desire to play. He has fairly good off-leash recall. Ammo has never received any formal obedience training.

Ammo loves going for car rides and is a good passenger. He loves to run and play fetch. Ammo also loves to be sprayed with water and to splash in a kiddie pool. Though he’s never had the chance to swim, there’s little doubt that he’d take right to it, given his primary breed.

Ammo’s people brought him home as a 3-4 month old puppy. Though he has been an integral part of their family, they are now seeking a new home for him because he has begun to exhibit some behaviors (growling at their 2-yr old paramount among them) that they feel could be curbed in a different home environment than theirs. With four children, they just don’t have the time to provide Ammo with the training and socialization he needs.

Though there is no adoption fee for Ammo, because he is not neutered GSRSV is requiring that whoever adopts him pay his owners a $300 refundable neuter deposit to ensure that they have Ammo neutered within 60 days. The deposit will be fully refunded once evidence of neutering is provided within the 60 day window.

Ammo is located in Lincoln. Please contact Bekka Dunn at either bekka.nunn@gmail.com or (707)303-5050.

Posted 4-23-22

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"Atlas" is an approx 21-month old, 100-lb neutered male GSD who is loveable, excitable and protective. Atlas doesn’t realize his own size and strength and can be very jumpy and mouthy when he’s excited—which has led to a few unintentional “mouth scrapes” which have drawn blood. For this reason, Atlas’ people now keep him muzzled when he’s not in their bedroom.

Atlas has not been very well socialized with strangers and consistently barks at people who are invited into the house until he can be settled down. He needs training in this area.

Atlas is OK w/ his people’s children, but he often gets too rambunctious with them, leading to scrapes from his claws or teeth; he simply overwhelms them. He barks at other children who come into the house so his people need to keep him kenneled during those times. We feel that a home with children no younger than 10 yrs old is appropriate for Atlas.

Atlas lives with a 12-yo female GSD and a 6-yo female Husky and he plays too rough for both of them. Atlas has done fine with other dogs at the dog park in the past, but after having a fight w/ a dog during his last visit his people no longer bring him there. Atlas would probably be fine with a large, playful female canine companion. Atlas has not been around really small dogs.

Atlas lives with four cats, and though he has not hurt any of them, he gets excited by them and wants to play—which they want no part of. A home with a cat or cats will be considered, as long as they are dog-savvy and used to a big dog.

Atlas is housetrained and sleeps inside on his dog bed, next to the parents’ bed. He is kept outside or in a crate when his people are gone for more than an hour.

Atlas has not received any formal obedience training and does not respond to many commands consistently. He would greatly benefit by a basic obedience training course.

Atlas walks fine on leash without distractions, but gets very agitated when he sees other dogs. Atlas’ people have a large backyard and have not walked Atlas for the past few months. Atlas has no experience walking off-leash.

Atlas enjoys riding in a car, but is very excitable when riding, pacing back and forth on the back seat and wanting his head out the window. He likes playing catch and chewing on squeaky toys. He loves playing in water.

Atlas’ family adopted him fifteen months ago from his previous person. They are now seeking a new home for Atlas because he is just too big and rambunctious for their kids and dogs and they aren’t equipped to provide him the training he needs. Atlas’ family is willing to pay for up to $500 worth of training when he is adopted!

In summary, Atlas is a loving, protective dog who needs a home with an experienced GSD person (or people) who can provide him with strong guidance, training, and lots of attention. Atlas is a little rough-hewn, but he is still young and has lots of potential.

Atlas is located in Sacramento. His adoption fee is $100, which his people will donate to GSRSV.

Please contact Monica Rothenbaum at 916-870-7714 or monicarothenbaum@gmail.com.

Posted 1-24-22

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"Willow" is a 21 month-old, approx 75-lb spayed female GSD/Great Pyrenees/Lab mix who is energetic, playful and protective. She is affectionate with her own people but sometimes jumps up on them or nips them when she is excited. She is a working dog who needs to be kept active and mentally engaged. She is a good watchdog.

Willow has not been socialized much with strangers and tends to bark at them out of fear. However, she is improving in this regard and was calm and well-mannered during a recent vet visit. Willow has never been around young children.

Willow has not been socialized with other dogs other than the two older dogs who she lives with (Terrier mixes). She did fine with those two dogs when she was a puppy, but now is confrontational with them (often the other dogs’ fault) and needs to be kept separated from them. On the various occasions where she’s come across another dog while on leash, she’s been fine.

Willow is okay with cats. She doesn't understand how to be gentle with them because of her size but has never endangered or hurt a cat.

Willow is housetrained but has been raised primarily as an outdoor dog. She is accustomed to staying in a kennel when left alone and a crate or kennel at night.

Willow has received some basic obedience training but is somewhat stubborn and could use with some further training. She is food-motivated so that makes training easier, such as getting her to come when off-leash. She walks well on a leash but will pull strongly when she sees a squirrel or rabbit.

Willow enjoys riding in a vehicle and is a good passenger. She enjoys playing tug, fetch, and she likes water.

Willow’s person (Sherry) obtained her from a Great Pyrenees breeder when she was three months old. She is now seeking a new home for her because her two Terrier-mix dogs do not get along w/ Willow and much of Sherry’s time is now consumed looking after her 96-yr old father in the Bay Area.

Again, Willow is a working dog who needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation. She will do best with somebody who is home for the most part and can spend lots of time with her. Willow has been raised on a good-sized rural property and it would be best if her next home provides similar opportunities for her to run off-leash and protect the property.

Willow is located in Walnut Grove, in rural south Sacramento County. Her adoption fee is $200.

Please contact Sherry Stanley at 916-718-1589 or mcstanleyart@gmail.com.

Posted 1-17-22

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"Boston" is a 1½-yo, approx 65-lb spayed female GSD/ Cattle Dog/Pitbull mix who is high-drive, loving, and fearful of strangers—at least when on leash. Boston is very affectionate with her own people and loves to snuggle.

Boston does fine with people when she is off leash, such as at dog parks. However, when on leash she will she will bark, lunge, and snap at those she feels nervous around. Boston is not comfortable around children so a home without kids is in order for her.

Boston loves playing with other dogs and has excellent dog social skills. (Click here for a short video of her playing w/ other dogs at the beach.) She goes to off-leash dog parks every day and has a great time! Boston’s ideal home would include another playful dog for her to interact with, but this is not a requirement for adoption.

Boston is not a fan of cats so a home WITHOUT CATS is in order.

Boston has received considerable training, both for helping with her fear of strangers as well as for general obedience. UC Davis Veterinary School’s “Behavioral Team” prescribed two medications to help Boston w/ her fear aggression: gabapentin (3 X day) and sertraline hydrochloride ("Zoloft"—once/day). The medications have been a helpful tool in Boston’s training, but her people feel pretty confident (and GSRSV agrees) that if she lived somewhere quieter and with enough land for exercise so she didn’t have to encounter strangers she could be tapered off of it. Boston still receives both medications; together they cost about $25/month.

Tug Dogs’ work with Boston has helped reduce her aggression towards strangers but has not eliminated the behavior. Boston is a high-drive dog who thrives on “work” and learning new skills; her people often use a toy as a reward for her completing a series of commands.

Boston walks great on leash in the absence of human or “critter” (cats, squirrels) distractions. Further, her reactions to people are much less pronounced once she’s had plenty of exercise.

Boston is fully housetrained but her people do keep her crated when they are gone (usually with a treat-stuffed toy for her to work on). She sleeps either on their bed or in her crate.

Boston has yet to try a game she doesn't like. Favorites include fetch (with balls, sticks, Frisbees, etc), tug, "find it," and she enjoys obedience training. Boston does well riding in the car, but she is very reactive towards people who come near the vehicle when it’s parked. Boston likes to wade in water but has not yet gone for a full swim.

Boston’s people (Lisa & Chelsea) adopted her at 7 wks old in May 2020 from a rescue in Chico. They live in Oakland—a busy, urban environment that leads too often to the encounters with strangers that set Boston off. They are now seeking a new home for her in a more rural, private outdoor space environment with active people who can continue to give Boston the off-leash training and play that she thrives on.

Boston is located in Sacramento. Please contact Lisa or Chelsea at homeforboston@gmail.com or
510-499-7143.

Posted 11-17-21

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"Reno" is a 55-60 lb, approx 2-yo spayed female GSD mix who is energetic, fearful/anxious and affectionate. She loves nothing more than a good belly rub! She's healthy and up-to-date on her vaccinations.

Reno is very shy with people she's never met before. When a visitor comes into the house, she will hide in another room and bark loudly. When out on walks, she will avoid people. Reno has not been around young children since she was adopted; given her timidness around adults, it’s hard to say how she’ll do with youngsters.

Reno appears to be good with other dogs. She has played regularly with a male Weimaraner at a sporting dog kennel where she is receiving both canine and human socialization and training.

Reno has a strong prey drive and is NOT good with cats.

Reno is housetrained and non-destructive in the house. She has never chewed up anything but her toys. Her people keep her in a crate when they are gone for more than an hour; she hates being by herself and cries for long periods when let alone. Her people also keep her crated at night to allow their cats a chance to roam the house freely.

Reno has received some obedience training and obeys commands such as “down” and “stay.” She is a fast learner and very treat-motivated, which has helped speed her training. She walks OK on leash, but can become a little too playful and start nipping at her handler’s heels. If she is startled by another dog she sometimes reaches a state of anxiety where she will bark at her handler in a seemingly aggressive manner.

Reno rides calmly in the car, but appears nervous while doing so.

Reno loves playing fetch and tug, as well as chewing on stuffed toys.

Reno has many behavioral issues that she needs help overcoming. She is fearful of not only new people but most new environments. She gets overly-excited in certain situations, such as when greeting her people in the morning; it’s as if she hasn’t seen them in ages and she becomes very mouthy. She demands attention and it can be difficult to bring her down when she is worked up.

Reno is definitely a "project dog", but she has many good traits which outshine her drawbacks. She is a loving dog who will continue to make progress in the right hands and reward her people with love and loyalty.

Reno's people adopted her from the municipal animal shelter in Joshua Tree (Southern California desert) in May 2021. Reno is a bit too large of a training project than they are capable of handling, and they also know Reno can't coexist with their cats.

Reno is located in Los Angeles. No rehoming fee is requested.

Please contact Emma Kemp at 323-536-6714 or emmakemp88@hotmail.com.

Posted 8-26-21; updated 8-30-21

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"Rocky" is a stunning 110-lb, 8-yo (born early Feb 2013) neutered male GSD who is energetic, protective and adventurous.

Rocky Is protective (barks) when first meeting strangers in the house. After a newcomer has spent more time in the house he warms up to them. He does not have issues with people who return after their first visit.

Rocky has been well-socialized with people throughout his life and has always been fine with people in neutral settings such as campgrounds. However, over the last year he has become increasingly reactive towards strangers. For example, this year he charged at a woman who came into the campground where his family was camping. He was on a lead and nothing became of it, but this kind of behavior used to be unusual for Rocky; now it’s the norm.

Rocky grew up with children and likes them, but not in groups. He can become nervous and growl if surrounded or closed in by large groups of kids.

Rocky does great with other dogs, both large and small. He’s a veteran of dog parks and enjoys playing with other dogs.

Rocky is NOT good with cats.

Rocky is housetrained but has been primarily an outdoor dog his entire life. He is brought inside when it is extremely hot or cold but otherwise remains outdoors.

Rocky never received any formal obedience training but is responsive to his people. He walks well on leash with a prong collar but pulls strong without it. Rocky is non-reactive to other dogs that he sees when on walks.

Rocky loves riding in a vehicle and is a good passenger. He enjoys playing fetch with sticks and toys but prefers to play keep-away rather than bring them back to you. Rocky loves water, whether it’s swimming or being sprayed by the hose.

Rocky’s people purchased him from a breeder when he was a young puppy. They are now reluctantly seeking a new home for him because Rocky has become overly-protective during the past year and they are concerned that he might bite somebody. Further, they are now uncomfortable bringing him to places with people around where Rocky used to be fine, such as dog parks. He is a loyal, good-natured dog who has developed some troubling behaviors mid-life--behaviors that shouldn't pose a problem in a different environment.

Rocky is located in Yuba City. Per GSRSV’s policy a $100 rehoming fee is required to adopt Rocky.

Contact Daniel Underwood at danielwayneunderwood@gmail.com or 530-300-0142.

Posted 7-24-21

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