Update 4/28/2015:
Adrian is ready for her forever home!  She just spent 4 days with another foster family that has two kids (9 and 7) while I was out of town and she did fabulous.  I was so pleased to hear that she is very good with dog savvy kids (I still don't recommend toddlers).  They had a great time with her and said she was happy and fun.  She is really becoming quite a loving dog and has learned to be calm in the evenings.  She now enjoys being pet and loved all over, a huge change to when she first arrived.  Adrian also enjoys the company of other dogs, but could be just as happy as an only dog.  She will always be high-energy, but is learning when to be calm with guidance and structure.  She still gets really excited about going for a car ride, but knows she cannot get in the car unless instructed to do so.  I've even had her off leash waiting for my command.  True to German Shepherd form, she too likes to be near you or under your feet. 

If you're looking for a happy, fun, smart and high-energy dog, this is your girl.  Not to mention she's really super cute with a great personality.  She is a fantastic running buddy, loves her tennis balls and toys as well as bully sticks.  Adrian is a great dog. 

Update 3/23/2015
Adrian had a great weekend and was very sociable at the Springfield adoption day.  She let everyone pet her and touch her with no issues.  She does not stay very still for it however, and this may never change.  Her personality is naturally hyper (which means she's not a cuddle dog) and she really needs a job to do. She's a smart and fun runnig buddy.  In further evaluation about children, I would only recommend teenagers/older children. Adrian has a tendency to play VERY rough and her excitement escalates very quickly for young children.  She may actually try to over power them, and again this is just her nature.  Adrian will need a very active owner, but someone that is calm, patient and consistent with structure and boundaries.

Update 3/18/2015
I have had Adrian (who I call Lady) for about 12 days now and she's already showing fantastic improvement and learning to be calm at times.  This girl wants to learn and is looking for direction.  She absorbs and watches everything.  She alters her behavior appropriately and quickly with correction and structure.  She's getting lots of exercise, but I wish I was a better runner to give her even more.  I can now touch and pet her all over with no issues, but we're still working on strangers with this.  She knows she has to be calm before getting into the car, but the car still holds excitement for her. She's learned to be calm before putting on the leash and we had a fantastic walk yesterday.  She does get excited about runners and bikers passing by to the point of sometimes barking, but she's already learning not to do this too. 

She is a fun, playful, attentive pup with lots of energy. I do have to put her in the crate at night so that she will sleep because the toys and my other dog are too much stimulant for her still.  More excertsise will help this, but I'm not at her pace on the run.  Today she finally had some really good play interaction with my GSD Maggie.  Good girl, Lady!!!


3/12/2015

Adrian came to VGSR on March 7 and is a small GSD with a TON of energy.  She’s a happy, smart girl who learns and adapts very fast.  She’s the type of shepherd that will try to outsmart you.  My ideal match for Adrian would be a marathon runner looking for a great running buddy.  Once she gets into stride, she really loves it and can go forever.  I took her on a 4 mile jog and this was not enough; came home to play ball for a couple more hours.  She will need someone who will exercise her a lot to control this energy.  She also LOVES to play ball to the point of almost obsession. 

She came to the rescue as an owner surrender to a shelter in Tidewater.  She’s been passed around to at least two if not three homes before this and my guess is because they didn’t know what to do with her energy and some behavioral training issues.  I want to work on getting her through the behavior issues over the next 2-3 weeks so she has the best opportunity for her forever home.  Adrian is a very mouthy dog in two ways – both vocally and physically.  She has learned to get her way by crying, growling or putting her mouth on someone.  It’s important to note that there is no intent to bite and no aggression with this.  Adrian also doesn’t trust human touch anywhere but her head.  When rubbing her body or touching her other places, she turns fast and puts her mouth on you.  I’ve already started working on this and improvements are already happening.  Next, she goes nuts about getting into cars, but once she’s in she is a perfect little riding buddy.  I will be working to desensitize her to the car so that she calms down in parking lots and before going for a ride.  Leash manners need some work in terms of greeting other dogs as well as runners and bikers going by her when we’re out running.  This seems like a lot, but her willingness to learn and easy adaption really helps and improvements are happening even after a few days. 

She is really indifferent to Maggie, my VGSR alumni, so having another dog around is not a necessity.  She will chase after squirrels and birds, so no cats because she will chase anything that moves fast.  No food aggression issues whatsoever; shares the water bowl just fine.  House trained and potty trained.  She only plays with her toys and is in a crate during the day, but no longer in the crate at night.  Adrian is a good little dog and will be a great family companion or even for a single person once she improves on some behaviors.  She’s pretty darn cute and knows it.  I prefer to meet any adopters and take her on a home visit to ensure a good fit.  I would be willing to work with them on getting to know her and working with her prior to adoption as well.  Let me know if you have any questions. 

Approved adopters may contact Adrian's foster: raeweber00@gmail.com