Our Danny Boy was adopted out and returned, but now we know why... He was waiting for the perfect family, with lots of Shepherd experience.. Today was his lucky day... He was adopted by Wendy and Jame Stephens and their two children. Not only will he have two children to grow up with but a older canine companion and two feline companions. We see obedience class in his near future to help turn this young boy into a proper loyal shepherd..

As always we look forward to updates and pictures and updates as Danny becomes the newest of member of your family.


Thank you for opening both your heart and home to Him

You look marvelous Danny Boy. Congrats on your new addition



Kelly

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Hi to all!
I just wanted to give an update on how Danny is doing. Although nervous in the car he rode well. My 4 year old son Cole (pictured) had him renamed before we even pasted Flint! His new name is Dylan, and while I have no idea where Cole got the name from, we decided to go with it. He has already learned his new name and responds to it very well! An hour and a half car ride was enough for me to figure out that Dylan needed a bath. As much as I hated to add any more stress to his day, after picking up my 6yr old daughter from school we headed to Dunk N Dogs, a do it yourself pet wash in Livonia. (I love this place!!) Dylan did Great. Although obviously nervous, he completely trusted me every step of the way. He even let me use the noisy forced air dryer to get out loose coat and make him nice and fluffy. After a quick trip to the pet store to buy his brand of food he finally got to see his new home. He settled right in!
He and Robbie (our 11 yr old Bassett Hound) fell in together like old pals reunited. Dylan absolutely ADORES Robbie. He seems very indifferent about the cats. I wish I could say the same for how they feel. But they are starting to come out of hiding. They just need some time to get used to him.
Dylan has bonded with me completely. Whenever he is unsure of something he looks at me for approval or disapproval. For example he will bring me things to see if it is his toy or not and he won't play with it until I tell him "good boy". He follows me arround the house and usually lays at my feet. He is great with any kids he has come across so far. However he is much more reserve with adults. He has given a little growl to every adult to enter the house except my husband who he met on Friday night because he was out of town on business. He seemed to "know" Jamie lived here.
I will post a family pic as soon as I figure out how.
Dylan is a great addition to our family! Thank you for letting me be his mom.
Wendy Stephens aka mom2dylan

Wendy, it sure looks like you have done all of the right things. I feel that Dylan will be an asset to your whole family. He is starting to develop into the typical loyal Shepherd that his breed is noted for.
Thank You for chosing adoption and chosing Dylan, I am confident that you will never regret it.

Dylan sure is one good looking boy. what a cute family picture
Ella

Congrads, to Dylan I sure he will grow to be a wonderful additional to your family.. Make sure you keep him in check with the growling, He needs to know that you and your husband is Alpha in the family and he Needs not to protect the pack that you do the protecting..

A obedience class would be great for him.. and also set the situation up of new people coming invited into your home.. Put him on a leash give your guest a good treat... something very special...I use hotdogs turkey, or cheese pieces. Have them come into the house.. Put Dylan on a sit to appropriately greet guest if he succeeds NO growling jumping extra... the guest can give a treat.. If he does growl or jump
correct him scold him with a stern voice.. 95% of obedience is voice control..

Repeat exercise Practice makes perfect..

Remember Dylan came from a not so nice breeder and not all adults were very nice to him.. He needs you and your family to show him how to become the proud and loyal German Shepherd dog he can be..


Sherri

Ok Dylan, Cole has claimed you by nameing you, so lets show everybody how great of a pet you can be. We all know you have it in you !!
Thank you mom2dylan (Wendy) for allowing Dylan the chance to shine..
Also thank you for registering on mirescue, now you can post those pics of Dylan and family for us all to see.....

Sherri,
Dylan is on his 4th day without a growl. He is still very skitish around Jamie. i.e. He will not let Jamie wlak up to him and pet him unless I am holding him. He will also leave the room sometimes when Jamie enters it even when I am there. My patience is there I hope my husbands holds out.
I am checking into obiedence classes. I have found a play group on Monday nights to get him some social time. He did great on a field trip to the vet, was happy to meet everyone, no growling, he seemed very relaxed.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Wendy aka mom2dylan

Okay here is a try at posting a picture.

That is great, the obedience classes will give him the confidence he so desperately needs to become the beautiful loyal German Shepherd he was ment to.

If able start having James give out Dylan food, treats extra.. He needs to learn men are ok..

Okay I have good news and not so good news. The good news is I finally got on my husbands case and told him that Dylan would never like him if he didn't try and if he wasn't going to try then give the word and I would arrange to take him back! (not that Jamie was being mean, just very indifferent) He didn't say take him back and has been making a very good effort to befriend Dylan. However, now the not so good news, after my last post we had a momentary relapse with Dylan growling at Jamie. Fortunately I was right there and acted fast with a really strong alpha shake like Maddy told me to. Dylan immeadiatly "apologized" to Jamie with a nuzzle and a lick on the hand. Jamie has given Dylan only one more week to "learn to live with him." He admits that he does not expect miracles in a week and he doesn't expect them to be best buddies, but that he will not be growled at in his own home. We (Dylan and I) are not giving up!! Even the kids had told their Dad they like Dylan and don't want Dylan to go. Which was really alot coming from Katelyn, my 6 yr old, considering Dylan had amputated Barbie Princess Analise's right arm and left foot earlier that same day. Oops!

Be consistant and firm, and let us know how it goes

Good luck..

Hi, Wendy. Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you guys and am hoping that things are going well with Jamie and Dylan. Quite a few years ago, my brother had brought over a puppy for my son's 3rd birthday, without my husband's approval. My husband was not thrilled with the prospect of a 2nd dog at that time. His attitude toward the puppy was complete indifference. She grew up being afraid of my husband, even though he was never mean to her. When he finally did try to get her to come around, it was very difficult for her. She had bonded so completely with everyone else in the family, and I think she took his indifference as dislike. She was a very smart puppy but somewhat insecure. She did eventually warm up to Chuck, but never as much as I would have liked. I really hope that things work out between Dylan and Jamie. In Jamie's defense, I can certainly understand one not wanting to be growled at in their own home. I hope that with a little effort and a lot of patience on your husband's part, and your working with Dylan on appropriate behavior, that Dylan bonds with Jamie to make his family complete. It's obvious that you are trying very, very hard. Good luck! I'm thinking of you and really hoping that things work out!

Terri

Hi all,
Here's the lasest and greatest on Dylan.

We're still working on liking Jamie and men in general. Those people really did a number on him ! Both Jamie and my brother are working hard to show him that they are friends and can be trusted.

I had to stop using the alpha shake that Maddy had suggested because every time I did it he was releasing his anal glands. For anyone who does not know what this is basically it smells like a**. (pardon my language) It is really nasty. Also it had caused him to stop coming to me when I called him. But we're past that now.

Training is going well. Although I wanted to get him in a class, the budget wouldn't allow for it. So I'm working with him using the things I remember from a MP bomb dog handler/trainer I knew when I lived in Germany. He helped me train my first shephard. But I have gotten him into a puppy play group once a week to get him some social time.

Dylan has learned sit, and to sit whenever he is on lead and we come to a stop, give (to politely give up toys both his and otherwise), settle (I can put him laying on his side calmly until released), and out (this means to drop whatever he's doing and return to me). I remembered the out command from my friend and can highly recommend it. He's not quite 100% on the return to me part but getting there. We are also working on food snatching issues that have recently developed. With his growing comfort in his new home has come table surfing. Something I despise. Fortunately I have actually caught him in the act and have been able to correct him a few times. The kids know not to feed him so I don't think it stems from that. Also, he does not snatch food from theit hands but will try to sniff it but I have told them to give a firm "no" followed by a "good boy" when he backs off. Overall he listens to the kids pretty well. They can even put him in his crate, something he won't do for my husband.

He is building confidence on walks and behaves good on the lead for the most part. Pulls a little sometimes, mostly when he is nervous. He still wants to shy away when we pass people especially men. He will try to hide behind me or turn to go the other way. Needs work there.

He loves to be outside in the back yard. It is fun to watch him act like a big goofy puppy. He likes this softball size wiffle ball we have and will pounce on it like a cat and chase it around.

He is becoming an official part of the family today. He has a vet appointment today and will be added to our records. He has what I feel is excessive discharge from his "boy part". (that's what my kids call it)

Also I am accepting full emotional attachment and am going to get him a tag made today. This is something I have put off in case I had to return him. It kept me a very tiny bit detached so that I wouldn't be completely heart broken. (at least that's what I tell myself)

Well, that's about it. I think I've rattled on long enough.
TTFN,
mom2dylan




thanks for the support! it is much appreciated.
Wendy

Where do you live, If getting him into a good obedience class is a budget problem.

Many trainers will allow rescue dogs to come to class free or at a big discount.

The socialization and training will build his self esteme and then he will not have

the fear issue with men. He is still very young.. Consistency is KEY..

Send me an Instant Message and refesh my memory where you live.. and I will

see about getting you a good trainer..



Sherri

I'm in Redford. Livonia is close, Farmington Hills, Westland, Northville.
Wendy

http://www.k9response.com/pages/916736/index.htm



Would this be an option? I have emailed him and asked about discount classes

extra



Sherri

Ok Wendy

Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Services has emailed me back and is willing to work with Dylan. At a generous Discount, He comes highly recommended and I feel that this is what Dylan needs to become the proud beautiful Shepherd He is ment to be.

I am so sure of this, I am willing to Pay for classes. We just need to decide which would work best for Dylan and you. His Schedule is as followed: I would be willing to pay for group class either the 7 week or the 3 hour condensed which ever would work best for you.

Please let me know at your earliest convience because Michael's classes fill up fast. My group classes are in Westland and I do private in home consultations in Southern Macomb Co, Oakland Co, Wayne County and Eastern Washtenaw (Ann Arbor and to the east

My group classes are on Wednesday evenings but I might be changing that to Monday evenings in late April. Plus, I offer monthly a three hour intensive group class on Sundays that condenses the 7 week group class into 3 hours. Owners not only work with their dogs during those three hours to learn basic obedience commands but they also participate in a behavioral presentation I call "How your dog really learns", and they receive my 7 week course outline that breaks each of the commands down into weekly steps. This way they can take what they learn at the intensive program and have each of the commands broken down into steps for later review. This format offers those who live further away the ability to come for a group class or for those who don't have the time committment to come every Wed night for 7 weeks.

Wendy, I know all about the anal gland thing. Chuck could not raise his voice around our Dakota without that happening - unbelievably nasty smell, and it lingers! Sounds like everything's going to be fine; I'm so happy to hear that. Dylan sounds like a wonderful boy; just needs to work through some issues from his past. He's finally got a place that he can call home; somewhere that's safe and secure, where he's surrounded by love. He's in a good place now and he knows it. I'm happy for all of you.

Terri - Lodi's Mom

Hi everyone,
I'm really sad to say that I had to return Dylan to Maddy on Mon. On Sun. while I was at church and Jamie was home with the kids, there was an incident with Dylan and my husband and Jamie put his foot down about him going back.
Long story short, one of the kids opened the gate and Dylan got out. Jamie had to chase him for his own safety (Dylan's). Of course Dylan ran but Jamie finally cornered him between our house and the neighbors. I know, not the best thing that could happen. But it was either that or let him take off. At least Jamie cared enough to chase him. So, when Jamie tried to get his collar to get him back in the yard, Dylan started snapping, growling and lunging. When our son, Cole, heard the comotion he came around teh house to see what was going on. As soon as Dylan saw Cole he calmed down, so Jamie took another step forward and Dylan let out another growl. So he told Cole to take a couple steps forward and Dylan was fine. So Cole walked up to him no problems and got him by the collar and had to walk him back to the yard. Jamie had Cole put him in his crate until I got home. I am thankful that Jamie has enough dog experience and compassion to handle the situation the best he could and that he, Cole or Dylan didn't get hurt.
Thank you all for your support! Sherri, your offer for th etraining was extremely generous! Thank you for your kindness. I feel like I really let Dylan down. He was great with me and the kids. But my husband said he turned into a completely different dog when I wasn't here.
Maddy siad she was going to work with him with her husband and her sons. I hope she is successful and can find him a another home as soon as possible.
A man must have been really nasty to the poor guy. My husband has cared for dogs since he can remember. His family has their own breed of hunting dogs, Stephens Stock Moutain Cur, and his dad still breeds them. One of the reasons I married Jamie was our shared love of animals and he was one of the only men my other GSD liked. Jamie has also worked with me in a kennel and at a vets office and has only been bit once. And that dog was a psycho anyway.
The kids were pretty upset about having to give up Dylan. There were lots of tears. (mine too) This morning Cole woke up and told me he wanted Dylan back, maybe he would like Daddy this time. I wish it were that easy.
I'll keep everyone posted on when we try agian with a new addition. Probably won't be anytime soon.
Guess I'll have to change my screen name.
Take Care and God Bless!
Wendy (Dylan's former mom)

Wendy, I'm so sorry. Sometimes things just don't work out; it certainly was not for lack of trying on the part of you, your husband and your family. No one knows why Dylan doesn't like men, but he probably has a very good reason. Something really bad must have happened to make him so scared. It's too bad that he couldn't see Jamie for the person that he is. What's really important is that you all tried; you tried so hard. When it's time for you to try again with a new addition, he or she will be one lucky puppy! You have a wonderful family with so much to offer. I'm just sorry that Dylan wasn't the right one; I know that it must have been heartbreaking for you to have to return him. You certainly did all that you could. There are so many animals out there looking for the perfect home. One of them is going to be fortunate enough to find you. Please keep in touch. I'll be thinking about you.

Terri - Lodi's Mom