My name is Marla!

Meet Marla!
Marla is a very smart 1-year-old German Shepherd mix with a great balance of energy and independence. She’s excellent on a leash and looks forward to her daily walks, then happily burns off extra energy with zoomies in the backyard. She’s fully potty trained, rides well in the car, and settles nicely at home.

Marla enjoys playing with other friendly dogs, but she is not cat-friendly and would do best in a cat-free home. She knows several basic commands, is a fast learner, and genuinely wants to please her person, making her very responsive to redirection and training. She went through a brief nippy phase, which has been successfully redirected to appropriate chew toys—she loves her toys and can entertain herself well.

She’s a wonderful mix of affectionate and independent, enjoying time with her people while also being comfortable doing her own thing.

Marla is still gaining confidence around new people and can be selective with men. She may bark defensively if someone approaches her too quickly or tries to touch her before she’s comfortable. However, when introduced properly, she does well—some men are able to walk her and give her treats without issue. She does well at dog-friendly restaurants and stores as long as strangers respect her space and don’t attempt to pet her.

Marla is currently working on confidence-building, socialization, and desensitization to new people, and she continues to make progress. With continued positive training and a calm, patient home, she’s expected to keep improving and truly shine.