Let me introduce Mattie Mae a sweet female GSD which we guess is about 3 years old. We first met Mattie Mae in February after she was picked up as a stray by county animal control. She had a broken rope around her neck and was very thin. Mattie was afraid of all humans. She was not aggressive toward people but would cower and run away.
When we first brought her home Mattie Mae stayed outside a lot. She would get under our porch and hide. She was afraid of all the strange household noises – she wouldn’t walk past the washer or dryer if they were running and the dishwasher was really scary. It took time but she has learned that those are just noises and won’t hurt her. She still goes to another room when we use the vacuum but I think she will learn that it is alright too. It is hard to imagine what Mattie’s life could have been like for her to be so fearful of everything. I suspect she had been abused and regulated to a life tied outside without canine championship. She was very thin and of course heartworm positive.
Mattie soon found out that being inside a warm house with a full stomach beat being outside in the cold and scrounging for food. It took about a month for Mattie to begin to trust us but she loves attention now. She will nudge you with her nose for petting and will give a pull with her paw if you stop. She is still very cautious of strangers but does warm up to you after a few meetings. She has never been aggressive towards anyone but we think a home with older children would be best. Thunderstorms still frighten her so she stays close or hides when they rumble through. Mattie gets along fine with other dogs and loves to play with our children’s dogs when they visit. She does crate but rarely is crated. We are both home most of the day and she and our GSD are given free run in the house even when we are gone.
Mattie walks well on a leash and loves to go on long walks. Sometimes if a stranger gets close she gets frightened but she is getting better. She does have that GSD prey drive so a home without cats is probably best. She is learning her other commands but still needs some work. She is very smart and eager to please. Mattie was spayed a few weeks ago and will soon begin her heartworm treatment.
Do you have the patience to gain her trust and continue to work with her on her doggie skills? I know that Mattie Mae’s love and loyalty is well worth the effort. She is one of the sweetest GSDs you will ever meet. So, how about it, could yours be that loving forever home that shows Mattie what a GSDs life should be.
