Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
DIESEL came into the rescue today 10-4 from a relinquishment. His owner family was just working way too much to give him the attention he needed. They were devastated in giving him up because, not only did they love him dearly but because they put a tremendous amount of time and energy into training him. He is super well trained in every aspect of 'dogdom,'. he is of course house broken, utd on shots and will make a great addition to any family. Diesel is going to be neutered in a week or so and is in foster. He is a very large dog. He weighs about 115+ and towered over Farley. He made friends immediately and is super well adjusted and social. HE LIVED WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. He is a dark sable color with a flopped ear, super cute. When Diesel focuses on something in his environment (Prey, another dog, sometimes people), at times he stops paying attention to his owner and “zeros” in on what grabs his attention. He will not respond to commands without strong correction, and when he gets really over his threshold, he responds by barking/lunging (Reactivity). Diesel can also be reactive in the car when someone parks or comes too close. Met with Kevin Cafarelli (Everglades Canine Academy) 4/29/26(239)946-44682640 32nd Avenue SENaples, FL 34117 Kevin suggested we implement a program to teach Diesel that we are responsible/in charge of resources: Food, Water, Toys and Space inside the home. Diesel needs to see us as in charge of these things, so responding to his owner will be more valuable to him than responding to his environment. He does not have access to resources whenever he wants (leader of the pack), but only when we give them to him (we are the leaders). We started the program immediately, and are using the following management steps: Diesel is crate trained, so we put him in his crate (Command, “Kennel”) at all times EXCEPT when he is being trained, walked, or on a leash with his owner. (We bring Diesel out 5-6 times a day to work with him, making sure his physical/mental needs are met). This is management of indoor space. Diesel is fed inside his crate, and hand fed. His regular kibble is used during training sessions and during his walks as a reward, when he responds correctly to a command. We give him ample opportunities for water, making sure he drinks when he comes out of the 1crate and before he goes back in (ask him, “want a drink?” and he will get one). A toy is brought out for a managed play session inside the house, then put away when the session is finished. He does not have access to a toy unless we give it to him or play with him. I also play a seek/find game with him, where I tell him to “place” on his mat, hide high value treats in rooms around the house, then tell him to “find it!” He has to wait until I say “find it” before he leaves the mat. I “place” him again and start over. We usually play for maximum of 10 minutes (Mental Stimulation). Diesel is walked 4-5 times a day, with a longer walk early in the morning before it gets too hot. He totals around 6 miles daily, as we do not have a fenced in yard, and walks are his principle means of exercise. During his walks, he is brought into a “Heel” position, and released from it (Command, “Free!”), giving full length of his leash but with some slack so he is not pulling, multiple times during his walks. We are random about this and do not heel/free him in the same areas. We make sure to place him in “heel” whenever we need to have control of him (when he starts to get excited about something in his environment, when we are walking in a “high traffic” area). Outside is where Diesel can become reactive. He has excellent obedience training, but was not fully socialized, and is particularly reactive to other dogs if they come close. To help him get used to environments where there are people/dogs/cars/bikes, we walk him into parks that allow dogs and past people (we create space so he will not go over threshold) to desensitize him to seeing these things in his everyday environment. When Diesel sees prey (rabbits, squirrels)/other dogs/sometimes people, he tends to focus on them; if he begins to hyper focus (stops panting, hard stare, stiff posture) we tell him to “Leave it!”, if he does not respond to the command we give a pop on the leash so his collar will tighten up and create pressure to get his attention. If he turns away from the object of his attention we say “yes!” And give him a reward (treat). If he does not, we will turn him away from whatever he is focused on, command him again, and pop the leash again, if necessary. As soon as he drops his intense focus, he is rewarded as described above. I have been taking him to a park twice a day, and sitting with him in the “down” position, to just watch people/dogs/prey, and not respond. There is a bench that is a good distance from the trail where most people walk, and 2he is remaining watchful but not responding when people/dogs/prey, go by.Diesel knows the following commands:SitDownPlaceQuietHeelFreeLook (I’ve been working on this command with him for a few weeks. We started indoors; he has gotten better responding when outdoors. I say the word “Look” and touch the area near my eye, so he knows he must make eye contact with me, then he is rewarded.)We have already seen improvement with Diesel since we’ve begun to manage his resources. He is focusing more on us when outside. The goal is to condition Diesel to pay attention to us wherever he is; he will become neutral to whatever is in his environment.
Meet Diesel — A Gentle Giant Ready to Love Again
Some dogs just have a presence. Diesel is one of them. A dark sable three-year-old German Shepherd, built strong and confident, with a soft heart that shows the moment you meet him. Weighing in at over 115 pounds, he’s a powerhouse in size — but gentle in spirit.
Diesel is exceptionally well-trained, healthy, and even-tempered. He listens, he focuses, and he carries himself with quiet confidence. He’s the kind of dog who makes you proud to walk beside him. He’s also Farley approved, which means he gets along beautifully with other dogs and knows how to read the room — playful when invited, calm when it’s time to settle.
Diesel came from a loving home with two children. Through no fault of his own, his family faced unforeseen changes and had to make the heartbreaking decision to rehome him. It’s clear he’s been loved deeply — he looks to people with trust and affection, ready to bond again.
He’s looking now for a family who will cherish him for the devoted, loyal companion he is. Diesel would thrive with people who understand the heart of a Shepherd — intelligent, eager to please, and always watching out for his people.
If you’ve been waiting for a dog who brings both strength and sweetness in one magnificent package, Diesel is available immediately to the right family. He’s ready to start his next chapter — maybe it’s with you.
##2539579##
