Cricket is a 3-year old female German Shepherd mix dog who was pulled from the Stockton Animal Shelter, as she was at risk of euthanasia.  Cricket has settled nicely in her foster home. While she is somewhat shy and gentle, with medium drive, she is a bit guarded when first meeting new people until she feels she can trust you. Introductions must be taken slowly.  After only a few days in foster care, she has proven to be comfortable with her people, even older, dog savvy kids. Cricket loves attention and will become submissive with her humans, rolling over on her back for belly rubs. She likes to learn and is food motivated. We have been working on the basics (i.e. sit, down, touch, watch and stay). Cricket can give paw, crates well, and is not destructive. She rides well in the car.  Leash walking is a work in progress, but she has made a great running partner.  When taken for a run, she kept pace and was more focused. Cricket is not reactive to people or other dogs when out on walks. Cricket has done well when introduced to the resident male dog, but does play rough and hard, so we believe a home where she will be the only dog would most likely benefit her best. She listens well when corrected by her human to chill out. Cricket is looking for a family that will be patient with her, providing both physical and mental stimulation to help her gain confidence.  Cricket is a very special girl and deserves someone who will love her forever.  Someone who can take her on adventures and continues to foster her confidence. Someone that won't give up her.   Cricket loves her stuffed animals and is gentle with them. She also likes to play fetch, but does not go overboard. Because of her high prey drive, a home without cats or other small critters is a must. She really enjoys spending time out in the yard, and will alarm bark if she feels those squirrels are invading her space. It will be necessary for an adopter to have recent successful experience in raising a GSD, Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, or other large breed working dog. An adopter who will continue her obedience training based upon positive reinforcement is recommended, to ensure she remains on the path of a well-behaved canine companion. We are currently screening applications for the best possible fit. show less

Evan is a 3-year old male German Shepherd mix who was picked up as a stray by our local animal control agency. It was very clear that Evan did not have an easy life prior to coming into rescue. He has been in rehab for the last few months, as he had severe ear infections (fortunately the ear drum was not affected) and was terrified of humans.  While he has shown improvement, he remains very shy and is cautious when approaching. He does extremely well with other dogs, which has been instrumental in bringing him out of his shell.  Evan has shown no interest in toys at this time.  We hope this will change as he continues to improve.  He walks really well on leash, but if he feels threatened, he will quickly go to the ground. He is crate trained, and will sleep all night without issue.  He enjoys riding in the car. Evan will require a quiet home without young children, and one with an adopter that has a soft demeanor and lots of patience to help build his confidence.  We believe that given an appropriate amount of time, he will bond to a new handler/owner, once he feels secure and can trust you. Although Evan is very well behaved, an adopter should provide him with the basic obedience training (based upon positive reinforcement and lots of praise) that any young dog requires. It will be necessary for an adopter to have recent experience in raising a shy GSD or other large breed working dog.   We are currently in the process of screening applicants for the best possible fit. show less

Jasmine is a 6-month old female German Shepherd mix puppy (possibly Dobie) who made her way to us all the way from a Southern California animal shelter that was full to capacity. Jasmine is quite energetic, and really enjoys playing with her doggie friends; however, she is very under socialized with humans. She would do best in a home experienced with shut down, shy dogs. She would benefit from having another confident dog in the home that will continue to assist in bringing her out of her shell. As Jasmine is new to us, we will post additional information as we come to know her better. Due to prey drive, a home without cats or other small critters is a must. Only older children in an adoptive home will be considered. It will be necessary for an adopter to have recent successful experience in raising a GSD, Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, or other large breed working puppy. An adopter who will provide her obedience training based upon positive reinforcement is recommended, to ensure she remains on the path of a well-behaved canine companion. We are currently screening applications for the best possible fit. show less

ADOPTION PENDING: Livvy is a 1-year old female Belgian Malinois puppy that came to us from our local animal shelter, after having been adopted, but returned shortly afterwards due to no fault of her own. She is very sweet, but shy with people until she feels that you can be trusted. On the flip side, she is wonderful with other dogs who can tolerate all her rough and tumble puppy energy.   Livvy is adjusting extremely well in her foster home. She is crate trained and walks pretty well on leash. She is not too interested in toys yet, but loves to run and does zoomies from one end of the yard to the other. She would make a great running partner once she matures, agility, or another doggie sport of her liking.  Being of the Belgian Malinois breed, Livvy has very specific needs. She will require an active home who can provide a high level of mental and physical stimulation, as well as an adopter committed to ongoing obedience training. She would probably do best in a home with a confident, easy going male dog. Only older children in an adoptive home will be accepted, and she will not be placed in a home with cats or small critters.  Applicants who can demonstrate current and/or previous owner puppy experience with the Belgian Malinois breed will be considered. Many dogs of this breed are not well suited as a family pet but can flourish in homes with an experienced handler who is knowledgeable of its needs and characteristics of the breed.  We are currently in the process of screening applicants for the best possible fit.  show less

Lyla is a 5-year old female German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix dog. She’s a very sweet girl, who is doing really well in foster care, but is now ready for her forever home.  She is house trained and crate trained. She has not had many life experiences, which makes her a bit shy with new people. Her new person can help her discover our great big world to overcome her shyness! Lyla has rough and tumble fun with her foster brothers and she also loves toys and balls.  She is full of energy, and would make a great running partner. We believe she would also excel at agility, or another doggie sport of her liking. Lyla completed a 4-week basic obedience program and did very well learning commands. Lyla has more of the Malinois traits, is somewhat of a dominant female, and is really smart. An adopter must commit to continuing her training, and offering her firm guidance and leadership, setting boundaries and behavior expectations based upon positive re-enforcement methods. This will keep Lyla physically and mentally challenged, and ensure she remains on the path of a well-behaved canine citizen. An adult-only adopter who understands the Belgian Malinois temperament, and have experience in successfully raising this breed will only be considered. Due to her prey drive, an adoptive home must not have cats or small critters. While she does get along with non-invasive male dogs, we feel she would be best suited as an only dog. Our sweet pup will make a great companion dog for whoever is lucky enough to adopt her. Are you ready to go and meet that big world with this beautiful dog at your side?   show less

Maia is a 5 1/2 year old female German Shepherd/Malinois mix who is looking for her forever home. While she is quite comfortable in her foster home, she really wants a family to call her own. Maia had been surrendered by her owner to local animal services after having given birth to six beautiful puppies.  Her puppies have all found their adoptive homes, and it is now Maia’s turn to find a home of her own where she will no longer be used as a breeder dog. Maia was initially extremely shy; however, she has come out of her shell being in foster care, and wants nothing more than to be by your side. She is crate trained and house trained, and has never had any accidents since being placed in foster care. She walks nicely on leash, but does get excited and at times will pull, but minor corrections will bring her back into line. Maia loves to play with her soccer ball, chasing it, and will bring it back and drop it at your feet, so you can throw it again.  She would also make a great running partner.  Maia is a very special pup, with a challenging temperament that only an experienced handler would be able to manage in order to keep her out of trouble. For this reason, we will be looking for applicants who understand firm guidance and consistency to hardwire acceptable behavior, so patience is key. Maia is quite selective with the dogs that she wants to interact with, and the fact that she has a very rough and tumble play style that can get her into mischief, it is best that she be the only dog in the home to ensure success. Maia is going to make a wonderful doggie companion for whoever has the necessary skills and is lucky enough to adopt her. She is very sweet and loving, and since her primary motivator is her people, she will climb up for snuggles with you on the couch if allowed. She sometimes forgets that jumping up on you is unacceptable, but is improving. Because of her prey drive, a home without cats or other small critters is a must. Only experienced adopters who have successfully raised a GSD, Belgian Malinois or other large breed dog  will be considered, and one who can continue obedience training based upon positive reinforcement to ensure Maia remains on the path of a well-behaved canine citizen. show less

Marcella (aka Cella) is a 7-month old female German Shepherd mix puppy who was surrendered to our organization, as her family could no longer care for her. Cella is new to our program, so we will post more information as we come to know her better. What we can tell you is that she is a very energetic young pup, who loves to explore. She was a bit shy and overwhelmed when meeting the resident dogs in her foster home, but we feel confident that she will become comfortable in no time. She has adapted very well to her crate, and rides well in the car. Only older children in an adoptive home will be considered. No cats or small critters in the home will be considered. It will be necessary for an adopter to have recent successful experience in raising a GSD, Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, or other large breed working puppy. An adopter who will continue her obedience training based upon positive reinforcement, establishing rules, boundaries and limitations, is recommended, to ensure she remains on the path of a well-behaved canine companion. We are currently screening applications for the best possible fit; however, Cella will not be available for adoption until she has completed all of her puppy vaccinations, which should be by the end of September. show less

Reece is a 3-year old male sable German Shepherd dog that was confiscated by Animal Control Services from a hoarding environment.  Due to this situation, he didn’t have the best start in life--he was scared and shut down when he entered our program. But dogs have a way of moving forward and not looking back. He is now safe and our organization will ensure that he will have a positive future. After several months of rehab, Reece has made great progress, and has begun to relax and feel more comfy in his foster home.  While he was terrified of human interaction, his foster mom has made great strides, and because he now trusts her, he will solicit attention. He has a good appetite and has gained much needed weight! Reece is still quite terrified about getting in the car, and will try to hide. He is also a bit hesitant about walking on a leash, but this aspect of his new life is also improving every day. Reece accepts his crate, as that is his safe place; however, we believe that he would do better in a home where he is not crated for long periods of time (most likely the residual effects of the hoarding situation). Reece doesn’t have any interest in toys at this point, but we are hoping that in time, this will change. He has a wonderful temperament and does really well with other dogs, and even tolerates the antics of young puppies. His most favorite thing to do is engage in a game of chase, and the puppies are willing candidates for this activity. Reece will require a somewhat quiet adult home with an adopter who is very patient who can work with him to overcome his shyness and can help build his confidence. Basic obedience (based upon positive reinforcement) would be a plus after trust and a bond is established.  We are looking for the perfect match in an environment that will lead to a successful transition, and not have great potential for setbacks. It will be necessary for an adopter to have recent experience in raising a shy GSD or other large breed working dog. A home without cats or other small critters is a must. We are currently screening applications for the best possible fit. show less

Tavo is a handsome, solid 8-year old black sable boy whose family could no longer care for him, so he’s looking for new digs. Tavo has had obedience training, but would benefit from a refresher course. Because he loves to play with toys they could be used as an excellent training tool. He is responsive to simple corrections and has great focus on his human. He is a wonderful, loving, dedicated companion, and is happy being near his humans, but is quite independent. He enjoys walks and rides in the car (although he is very vocal on car rides). While truly a “bull in a China shop,” he is a fairly well-mannered, non-destructive gentleman, who will make a great addition to the right home. Tavo has spent most of his time outside in a kennel, but has adjusted nicely to being a house dog! Who wouldn’t! He sleeps comfortably all night in his crate, and has settled down in his foster home. He will take treats gently most of the time, but might try to snitch one from your hand! We’re working on correcting this behavior, and he is learning very fast, as he only wants to please his handler, but caution is a must. Tavo has not been socialized much with other animals, so he might do best as an “only dog.” He requires a home without cats or other small animals, and because of his size, only an adult home will be given consideration. Tavo is a great dog looking for his forever family. He needs people who are willing to devote time to forming a strong, lasting, trust-based bond, offer him a safe, loving environment, and provide ongoing obedience training, based upon positive reinforcement. He is a lot of dog, and only high level experienced adopters who can provide strong leadership and proper management of working breed behavior will be considered. Tavo must be given daily exercise and mental stimulation to expend his energy. He is not an average pet. Are you game?? We are waiting for your call! show less