This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information.Benji is at risk due behavior concerns. Benji came to our care center as an owner surrender. Her owner states that she will hard bark and growl towards strangers. During intake Benji was observed to hard bark, growl, and lunge towards handlers. It is reported that in her previous home there was a bite incident with the resident dog over resources. Owner also reported that Benji growls/ snaps when being startled. During her stay in our care center, Benji has growled with a tense body and hard bark at handlers with hackles raised when they attempt to leash. While on walks Benji is hypervigilant (moves away from loud noises, looking around) while walking on the street. She is social with familiar handlers and allows petting. Owner reported Benji is very affectionate when she warms up and loves playing with various toys and running around. Medically, Benji is underweight.
Meet Benji!Benji came to ACC as an owner surrender when her family could no longer meet her needs. She's a young German Shepherd who is under-socialized and feeling overwhelmed in the shelter, but with familiar handlers she can soften and show her affectionate side-seeking closeness, allowing gentle petting, and hopping up to sit beside her person. Her former family described her as very loving once she warms up, and she enjoys toys and active play.
My Ideal HomeBenji needs an experienced, adult-only home that understands fearful and defensive behavior and can move at her pace. A calm, quiet household with predictable routines, patient decompression time, and force-free, reward-based training will be essential. Benji should always have the choice to approach and interact-no pressure or surprises. Because she can be sensitive when startled and around valuable items, her adopter should be comfortable managing space, using trade-ups, and building trust gradually. Structured enrichment (food puzzles, safe chews, toy play) and confidence-building activities will help her thrive.
Good with Other Pets?Benji should be the only pet in the home. There is a reported bite incident with a familiar dog related to a resource, and she has shown resource guarding with food/treats. A single-pet setup will give her the safest, lowest-stress path forward.
Leash MannersBenji's leash skills are a work in progress. She can be difficult to leash when stressed and may growl or hard bark if she feels pressured. Once out, she may pull moderately and can be hypervigilant to noises and unfamiliar people. A secure setup, distance from triggers, and slow, positive leash conditioning will help her feel safer.
Primary Color: Black
Secondary Color: Brown
Weight: 47
Age: 1yrs 3mths 1wks
