Owner Surrenders

Do You Have to Surrender Your GSD

The first thing we always ask an owner wishing to re-home their companion GSD is “Do you really have to?” There is a significant difference between being forced to give up your dog and wanting to get rid of him/her. Search your heart for the real reason why you believe your dog can’t live with you any more. Be honest with yourself. Your answer will probably fall into one of three categories: People Problems, Dog Behavior Problems, or both. Problems falling into these categories typically can be rectified with a bit of effort and commitment. Remember, you made a commitment to your dog the day you brought it home.

BGSR does recognize that finding a new home for your companion may be the only viable option for some dog owners, however, one of BGSR’s goals is to keep GSD’s in their existing home and we are willing to provide direction and/or resources to help owners keep their GSD. Please remember that BGSR volunteers are not professional trainers or behaviorists but we can make suggestions or recommendations for dealing with problems or suggest trainers with whom we have experience.

If your dog has bitten someone, BGSR cannot re-home the dog. Please refer to the “If Your Dog has Bitten” link for recommendations.

There are many reasons we are given as to why a dog needs to find a new home. Listed below are the most common reasons. We ask that you click on the reason that applies to you and review the information to determine if surrender is the only option.

• Behavior Problems and/or Aggression towards other animals

• Moving

• My New Home/Apartment is too Small

• Allergies

• Having a Baby

Behavior Problems or Aggression towards Other Animals

Most behavior related issues can be resolved through basic training methods which must be practiced and reinforced routinely. Consistent reinforcement of expected behaviors is a must with a GSD. GSD’s will take full advantage of inconsistent handlers and loosely enforced expectations.

Questions to ask yourself about your GSD’s behavior problems:

Have you and your GSD completed at least one obedience course (other than a puppy socialization class)?

If you & your GSD have not participated in an obedience course, our first and foremost recommendation to correct problem behaviors is to enroll in a class immediately. Obedience courses will help teach you and your companion the basic skills in handling a dog and how to correct unwanted behaviors.

GSD’s are a very intelligent breed and will take full advantage of inconsistent handlers and loosely enforced rules and expectations.

Have you taken the time to properly socialize your GSD with people and other animals?

It is imperative to expose your GSD to different people of all ages, genders, and races and other animals as often as possible in order to prevent possible aggression towards people or other animals. An obedience course is an excellent place to start. Socializing is important because it helps strengthen your dog's confidence and reduces the chance that your dog will become shy or fearful. Fearful dogs can become fear aggressive or fear biters (a prime reason GSDs get dumped in shelters and at rescues). Many un-socialized dogs CAN be successfully rehabilitated with time and commitment. If your companion already has issues with strangers or other animals and you do decide to try an obedience course, please be sure to inform the staff of your companion’s issues before bringing him/her to class, as they may want to evaluate the dog prior to exposing him/her to a group setting.

Are you providing adequate exercise and stimulation for your companion?

A tired dog is a good dog. Simply letting your companion outside to entertain him or herself is not enough. A GSD is an active dog and requires daily physical and mental exercise. German Shepherds need both in order to be happy, and consequently, keep their owners happy. At minimum, a brisk (not a “stop and smell the roses” pace) 30-45 minute walk at least once a day will help expend some energy. Playing fetch with a ball or Frisbee can also help. Do refresher basic obedience drills to reinforce basic commands. Take your dog to the dog park.

Mental exercise is an important factor in creating a well-balanced German Shepherd Dog. Obedience sessions, learning new exercises including play breaks, make them fun for both dog and owner. Positive training can be incorporated into the dog's daily life to the enjoyment of all concerned. Interesting, indestructible, dog appropriate toys should also be provided. For example, many shepherds enjoy a hard rubber toy called a "Kong" available at many pet supply stores. Kongs come with instructions on how to fill with appropriate goodies to keep the dog interested and prevent boredom-related destructive behaviors. A bored GSD will often find his own excitement and stimulation, which might include digging, barking, herding small children around, "creating" toys out of household furniture or the children's toys, etc. GSDs need exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation almost every day to be on their best behavior. Training never stops.

Are you the “Leader of the Pack?”

In other words, are you in charge of your companion or is your companion in charge of you? BGSR highly recommends the book “Leader of the Pack” by Patricia McConnell. The book offers excellent suggestions on how to establish yourself as “Alpha” and take charge of your dog.

BGSR also recommends the “Nothing In Life Is Free” training philosophy to help with behavior modification. Click here to read about NILIF.

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Moving

Moving does not mean you have to give up your companion. We frequently hear “We can’t find a place to rent that will accept a GSD.” Many landlords don’t accept children either, but you would never re-home your child. You would look harder for a place that accepts children. Finding a rental that accepts GSD’s takes time, effort, and advanced planning. We recommend the following when searching for a new place to live with your GSD:

Plan Ahead. It may take a couple of months to find a suitable new place for you and your companion.

Check with the Humane Societies or Shelters in the area for Pet Friendly Housing resources. Do not rely exclusively on classified ads for your rental search. Many landlords list their properties through real estate agents or rental associations. Take advantage of rental services that help tenants find apartments.

Even if a potential landlord indicates “no pets,” ask anyway. If there is hesitation in the answer, you may have a chance. This is best done in person because it is easier for the potential landlord to say no over the phone.

Obtain reference letters from your current landlord and neighbors indicating that you are a responsible pet owner. Get a letter from your veterinarian as well stating that you keep your companion up to date on vaccinations and take care of the dog’s medical needs. Bring along any Obedience Certificates or Canine Good Citizen Certificates awarded to your companion.

Take photos of your current residence (inside and out) showing that your companion has done no damage.

Take the dog to meet your potential new landlord. Be sure your companion is clean and well groomed.

Offer an additional security deposit or an addendum to the lease indicating that you will be responsible for any damage done by your companion.

Additional information and suggestions for finding Pet Friendly rentals can be found at this link.

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My New Home/Apartment is too Small for my Dog

Many GSD’s and their owners live in small homes or apartments. It is not the size of the dwelling that matters if your dog is getting adequate exercise and mental stimulation. Please refer back to the section above titled “Are you providing adequate exercise and stimulation for your companion?”

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Allergies

Studies show that approximately 15 percent of the population is allergic to dogs or cats. An estimated one-third of Americans who are allergic to cats (about two million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway. In a study of 341 adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been advised by their physicians to give up their pets, only one out of five did. What's more, 122 of them obtained another pet after a previous one had died. It's clear the benefits of pet companionship outweigh the drawbacks of pet allergies for many owners. Living comfortably with a companion animal despite being allergic to him requires a good understanding of the allergic condition and an adherence to a few rules.

All cats and dogs are allergenic (allergy-causing) to people who are allergic to animals. One dog or cat of a particular breed may be more irritating to an individual allergy sufferer than another animal of that same breed.

The source of irritation to pet-allergic humans? Glands in the animal's skin secrete tiny allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens, that linger in the animal's fur but also float easily in the air. Allergens are present in the animal's saliva and urine, too, and may become airborne when saliva dries on the fur. The severity of reaction to these allergens varies from one person to the next, ranging from mild sniffling and sneezing to life-threatening asthma, and can be complicated by simultaneous allergies to other irritants in the environment.

If your or a family member's allergies are simply miserable, but not life-threatening, take these steps to reduce the symptoms:

• Create an "allergy free" zone in the home—preferably the bedroom—and strictly prohibit the pet's access to it. Use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner (available at almost any home and garden store or discount department store) in the bedroom. Consider using impermeable covers for the mattress and pillows because allergen particles brought into the room on clothes and other objects can accumulate in them.

• Use HEPA air cleaners throughout the rest of the home, and avoid dust-and-dander-catching furnishings such as cloth curtains and blinds and carpeted floors. Clean frequently and thoroughly to remove dust and dander, washing articles such as couch covers and pillows, curtains, and pet beds. Use a "microfilter" bag in the vacuum cleaner to effectively catch all the allergens.

• Bathing your pet on a weekly basis can reduce the level of allergens on fur by as much as 84 percent. Although products are available that claim to reduce pet allergens when sprayed on the animal's fur, studies show they are less effective than a weekly bath. Even cats can become accustomed to being bathed; check with your veterinarian's staff or a good book on pet care for directions about how to do this properly, and use whatever shampoo your veterinarian recommends.

• Don't be quick to blame the family pet for allergies. Ask your allergist to specifically test for allergies to pet dander, rather than making an assumption. And understand that allergies are cumulative. Many allergy sufferers are sensitive to more than one allergen. So if you're allergic to dust, insecticides, pollen, cigarette smoke, and cat dander, you'll need to reduce the overall allergen level in your environment by concentrating on all of the causes, not just the pet allergy. For example, you may need to step up measures to remove cat dander from your home and carefully avoid cigarette smoke during spring, when it is difficult to avoid exposure to pollen.

• Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can improve symptoms but cannot eliminate them entirely. They work by gradually desensitizing a person's immune system to the pet allergens. Allergy-causing proteins are injected under the person's skin, triggering the body to produce antibodies (protective proteins) which block the pet allergen from causing a reaction. Patients are usually given one dose per week for a few weeks to months (depending on the severity of the allergy) and then can often manage with one injection per month.

Additional treatments for allergies to pets are symptomatic, including steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays and antihistamine pills. For asthma, there are multiple medications, sprays, and inhalers available. It is important to find an allergist who understands your commitment to living with your pet. A combination of approaches—medical control of symptoms, good housecleaning methods, and immunotherapy—is most likely to succeed in allowing an allergic person to live with pets.

Of course, if you do not currently have a pet and are considering one, and know you are pet-allergic, be sure to consider carefully whether you can live with the allergy before you bring a new pet home. Except in the case of children, who sometimes outgrow allergies, few allergy sufferers become accustomed to pets to whom they are allergic. Too many allergic owners obtain pets without thinking through the difficulties of living with them. And too often, they end up relinquishing pets, a decision that is difficult for the owner and can be life-threatening for the pet.

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Having a Baby

If introduced correctly, there shouldn't be any problems with your dog and the baby. Chances are that if you greet the dog in your usual manner when you return from the hospital, he/she will be okay. But, remember that the dog was here first and may react just like a first child would. Give him/her the same amount of love and affection that you did before the baby was born and you will be fine. Yes, there are precautions you'll need to take when having a baby, but getting rid of the dog isn't one of them. In fact, it is unfair to deny a child from growing up with a dog. There is no better way to teach a child how to be loving and compassionate.

The United States Humane Society web site provides some excellent information on preparing your companion for the new addition. Click here to read the article.

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