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Posted over 7 years ago
| Updated over 7 years ago
I found a new home! Plenty of my friends are looking for one too. Check out other pets at this shelter, or start a new search.
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My basic info
Breed
German Shepherd Dog
Color
Tan/Yellow/Fawn - with Black
Age
Young
Size
Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Male
Pet ID
–
My details
Good with kids
Good with dogs
Not good with cats
Purebred
Needs experienced adopter
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Housetrained
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
UPDATED--NO LONGER DOG-AGGRESSIVE!!
"Onyx" is an approx 1½-yo, 65-lb neutered male GSD who is very affectionate and obedient. Onyx is friendly with strangers and has done well with children around 8-10 years old. Onyx would likely do well with even younger children, as he loves to be hugged and snuggled with. He still occasionally jumps up (gently) on people in his enthusiasm when first meeting them, but that is not a difficult behavior to curb.
We previously reported here that Onyx is not good with other dogs, but that is no longer the case. Though Onyx did display aggression towards a few other dogs when with his former foster caretaker, it appears that Onyx simply needed some socialization with other dogs to get over his dominance behavior. Onyx received that socialization in spades at GSRSV's rescue ranch during a week that his foster caretaker was on vacation, and it seems to have turned Onyx around! Having made such progress in one week, GSRSV decided to keep him at its ranch to continue his socialization. Now, Onyx gets along fine w/ all the dogs at the ranch, though he still prefers the company of people.
Onyx was reactive towards other dogs when walking on leash with his former foster caretaker Andrew, but Andrew--an experienced dog trainer--had worked with him on this behavior and Onyx had made significant improvement. Onyx reached the point where he would sit and stay quiet as long as the other dog stayed about 15 ft away. However, if he was not given a command (sit, watch me, etc), he would still pull & bark. Onyx will need an owner strong enough to handle him when he gets agitated seeing another dog, and experienced enough to command Onyx's attention and respect. We do not know how Onyx is with cats, so I will only consider a home without cats for him.
Onyx is housetrained and was perfectly behaved when left inside alone (with access to outside), which was the norm for approx 9 hrs/day in his former foster home. Onyx is very good at basic commands (sit, lie down, stay). Onyx walks easy on leash except when he sees another dog. He rides well inside a car and loves to go for rides. Onyx has a deep, formidable bark that will please those seeking a GSD "presence" to scare off bad guys.
Onyx has a thick, almost Nordic breed-like coat, so if you live in an area where it gets very hot in the summer it would be best to allow Onyx access to an air-conditioned house. Also, that coat of Onyx's produces a lot of loose fur, so if you are seeking a dog that does not shed much, please keep looking!
GSRSV rescued Onyx on 5-6-16 from the Stanislaus County Shelter in Modesto, where he was brought as a stray on 4-16-16. Onyx was brought directly to his foster home in Bay Point, where he remained until 7-29-16. Onyx's adoption fee is $260.
