Gretchen
german shepherd Mix | Female | 8 years Old | 50 Lbs
QUICK FACTS: ✔️ Good with other dogs and cats! ✔️ Housebroken! ✔️ Can free roam when alone! ✔️ Walks well on leash!
✔️ Could live in an apartment! ✔️ Good for beginner dog owner! ❌ Needs slow intros to new people!
Updates
Gretchen found her people June 13!
Gretchen is a sweet senior girl looking for a quiet home. While she is a naturally timid dog, her silly side comes out after she has some time to decompress and settle in. She would do best in a home environment without other pets (or with calm pets that would leave her alone) and with a few adults or older children who wouldn’t overwhelm her with loud noises and fast movements. Small kids would make her fearful.
The day starts around 6:00 or 7:00 AM with a trip outside to do her business. Then it’s time for breakfast and hanging out while I get ready for work. She then goes outside once more time before I leave for the day. Now that she has settled in and is learning that I will always come back home to her, she’s calmer and I can leave her out to free roam with the other dogs. I have a camera on them while I’m away and she’ll mostly just move from one couch to the other to nap and occasionally look out the window to see if I’m home yet.
When I get home, I let the dogs out to do their business and run around a bit in the yard before I take Gretchen on a walk. She walks well on leash but will get startled if she hears a loud car go by and gets timid when we walk past a person. But she responds well to positive reinforcement in the form of “good girl!” and treats.
After a walk it’s time for dinner around 6:00 PM and hanging out on the couch and exploring the fenced yard for the rest of the evening before heading to bed. She’ll sleep on the floor or the bed depending on the temperature. With that thick (but very soft) fur, she does get warm now that summer is upon us.
It took about a week to 10 days for Gretchen to decompress and open up in my home. I could tell the whole time that she was very sweet and wanted to trust me but just needed some extra time to know she was safe and to learn the routine of the house. Now she greets me excitedly when I come home and will wag her tail like crazy before rolling over for belly rubs. She gets along well with my other dogs now and will even follow one of them around as he tries to chase squirrels outside. Luckily they left her alone while she took her time to settle in. The same can’t be said for my very dog-friendly young cat who tries to chase and play with her. She runs away scared even though she is far bigger than him. I keep him primarily in his room to avoid issues. Long story short, Gretchen could do fine in a home with other animals if they leave her alone. Otherwise she’d be fine being an only pet.
Gretchen was treated with a round of antibiotics for anaplsama. She does not show an clinical signs and treatment was preventative. Gretchen will need a dental in the next 1-2 years. In the meantime she can dental treats to prevent future tartar accumulation.
Overall, Gretchen is a pretty easy-going and sweet girl once she settles in and knows her people and home. Since she is a timid dog, she requires slow introductions to new people and prefers the company of just a few people she knows well rather than large noisy crowds or kids or animals who may approach her too quickly and startle her. Are you the one who can give this golden girl a safe and loving home? You’ll get a sweet and gentl sidekick in return.