Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Story
Willow is a young German Shepherd who came to ACCT Philly after her owner, experiencing homelessness, made the difficult decision to surrender her while responders were attempting to secure her running loose. The transition was understandably overwhelming for her, and she initially presented as fearful and defensive during intake.
Since arriving at the shelter, Willow has shown steady progress as she adjusts. Outside of the kennel she blossoms into a playful, vocal, and affectionate shepherd who thrives on interaction, movement, and engagement. She is highly treat motivated, takes food gently, and consistently demonstrates that she knows “sit.” Willow enjoys play, seeks proximity to her handler once comfortable, and has shown positive, curious dog-dog interactions. She is a sensitive dog who does best when handlers move at her pace and give her time to warm up. True to her breed, she is energetic, expressive, and can be mouthy when excited. An adult-only home with prior shepherd experience is recommended to help her continue building confidence and structure.
📽️Videos
Willow and Coco meet1: https://youtu.be/ETjZMifS9RI?si=46OPmbginiauyzIw
Willow and Coco meet2: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t2HFcnNmuIc
Kojo and Willow Meet: https://youtu.be/usrkgkdW9RQ?si=sWfS15Sd9KvIDTdf
Queenie and Willow fence meet: https://youtube.com/shorts/6kXbdMn-x0g?feature=share
Willow knows sit! https://youtube.com/shorts/HJylRjM1Z8M?si=G6DXw_Un7y67J67j
Willow and Queenie fence meet (2): https://youtube.com/shorts/lREGJL_tZOM?si=7FAMX3XWmIyO3BnO
⭐Behavioral Notes
Walk sheet notes 12/10-12/13:
Willow was walked on 12/10, 12/11, and 12/13. On 12/10 the handler noted that she was low energy and very scared, advising a slow approach that allows her to warm up to the leash. Later on 12/10, a handler noted that she did not attempt to handle Willow but spent time in the same room with her. During that time, Willow would occasionally jump up but took food nicely. The handler also noted that Willow knows the "sit" command. On 12/11, it was noted that Willow had some issues with leashing and mouthiness and was high energy. The handler mentioned that Willow was sweet, playful, vocal and mouthy with play, and treat motivated, describing her as "like your typical shepherd". On 12/12, Willow participated in activity time, and on 12/13 she participated in a dog meet, but there are no additional notes from those days.
12/13/2025 per staff
Meeting coco- jumpy, loose body, soft and fluid movements and features, play bows and zoomies.
12/13/2025 per staff
took willow out for some activity time. she was screaming for my attention once she saw me down the row. she was jumping all over the place with a loose body and quick wagging tail. she was a bit difficult to leash and hopped all over me once secured. we ran around the room and threw some toys around. she was very vocal and bouncy. she ran around mouthing on my hands and howling. we had some cuddle time and did some tricks for treats
12/11/2025 per staff behavioral eval:
Kennel Presentation: Willow was at the front of her kennel with neutral eyes and low tail. she began hard barking at me and low growling. i tossed some treats which she ate while i opened the kennel door slightly. she began wagging her tail and allowed me to easily place the leash over her head. once secured she came right out
Leash Skills: pulls minimally
Sociability: Dropped the leash when we entered the room. with a low tail and forward ears she explored the room. i called her over to me and she jumped right up. she did some shepherd vocalizations, howling, whining, and alert barking. she had a loose body and mid level wagging tail. she then jumped down, did a play bow and i ran with her. we ran around as she vocalized with me. she took treats very gently and knows sit. she was super sweet, wild and a bit mouthy when riled up. she is super playful and is a bit stubborn. if you have shepherd experience, she acts exactly like her breed.
Play: engaged in play
Dog Interaction: good dog meet, curious
Return to Kennel: walked right back without an issue
Color Level: exp blue - once her kennel behavior improves can be single blue
11/11/2025 per staff: adopters should have shepherd experience
11/11/2025 per staff: This dog would do best in an adult only home.
Per volunteer 12/10/2025: Willow was initially hesitant, staying at the far end of her kennel when approached. With some patience and fresh pet, she slowly came forward, eventually taking pieces gently from my hand. She was a bit unsure of leashing—moving away with a tucked tail but returning with small tail wags. Once leashed, she hopped out of her kennel and began walking, pulling slightly on the leash. In the room, although still unsure, she explored and chose to seek me out multiple times—not for attention, but to stay close. Throughout our time together she worked for fresh pet, took it nicely from my hands, and even showed she knows “sit.” Willow is a sensitive girl who warms up nicely when you go her pace. Go slow, use treats.
12/07/2025 per staff:
Attempted to take out. She was in the back part of her kennel laying down. I tossed a meatball and she got up to eat it. Tossed another one she came forward to the front of the kennel. I opened the door and she took a few steps back, ears forward, tail down and avoidant of eye contact. I had the leash loop big and treats on the other side to try to lure her. She backed up and did not want to come forward for the treats.
12/07/2025 per staff
hard barking, growling,
12/06/2025 per staff
Upon arrival to the shelter, she was still low growling, snapped at the leash while attempting to lasso her. Had to take her out with control pole while another staff member suitcased her.
12/6/25 11:15am did not handle dog, owner placed dog on leash and put in truck. Willow was low growling through the glass in the compartment, when trying to scan her for a chip, she snapped at the scanner. Possibly just out of fear and confusion.
📃Medical Notes
12/09/2025
Tech Exam: Intake - Medical
Weight: 42.4 lbs
Body Condition Score: 4 - Lean
Assessment
Microchip Found? no
Microchip entered on profile? yes
Found Chip placed on hold? no
Collar placed? no
Age-1 year
Urogenital- female
Altered- no
Eyes- clear
Ears- clean
Nose- clear and moist
Coat/Skin- clean
Teeth- white with slight tartar
Gums- pink and moist
Musculoskeletal- good
Behavior- BAR
12/09/2025 Weight: 42.4 lbs
Vaccination History
Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Adenovirus, Parainfluenza 12/09/2025 – Completed
DHPP 12/09/2025 – Completed
Rabies 12/09/2025 – Completed
Treatment History
Barrier for Dogs
1 application(s) Topically once
12/09/2025 – Complete
Trazodone
1.25 tablet(s) PO twice a day (BID) for 7 days
12/07/2025 - 12/13/2025 – In Progress
Gabapentin 100 mg
1 capsule(s) twice a day (BID) until further notice
12/07/2025 - – In Progress
Gabapentin 400 mg
1 capsule(s) PO twice a day (BID) until further notice
12/07/2025 - – In Progress
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week, from 10am to 6pm, and no appointments are needed! Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt
for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly’s Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313.
