Bentley is a 7-month old male Dutch Shepherd mix puppy (most likely Belgian Malinois) who was picked up as a stray by Stanislaus Animal Services. This poor puppy was so traumatized at the time of intake, but is now safe with rescue in a wonderful foster home, where he can decompress and begin to feel safe and loved.  As Bentley is new to us, we will post additional information as we come to know him better. What we can tell you, is that he is a sweet little boy, and didn’t hesitate to come to our volunteer upon first greeting.  He is just learning about the crate, and does well with other dogs (although can be a bit shy at first).  His first night in his foster home, he slept in his crate all night with no issues. Bentley will require a committed and loving human who will make him a part of the family, providing the care and attention that every young pup needs. Only older dog-savvy children 8 and above 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 begin and continue his obedience training based upon positive reinforcement is recommended, to ensure he remains on the path of a well-behaved canine companion. We are currently screening applications for the best possible fit; however, he will not be available until he has received all age appropriate vaccinations. show less

Braden is a 10-month old male German Shepherd puppy who was brought into our organization from a local animal shelter in order to ensure he finds the most appropriate home. When Braden joined us, he was very much a whiner and would bark at any other dog he was introduced to.  After allowing him to decompress in his foster home and begin to feel safe and secure in his new environment, he began to open up and show his fun-loving puppy antics. While dog introductions were still taken slowly, his comfort level has improved significantly, and he has begun to engage in some play, although he does frequently check back in with his foster mom.  In many ways he is a velcro pup, while at the same time learning to be independent.  Braden has done well being crated, as that seems to be his safe place, and will sleep all night without issue.  He has had no potty mistakes in the house, but it will be important to pay attention to the cues he gives indicating it is time to go outside. Braden has transformed in many ways since being placed in a stable foster home. He is a happy, bouncy boy, very smart and eager to please. He is very affectionate, and we believe he would bond quickly with his new human(s). He hasn’t chosen his favorite toy yet, but will occupy himself with a nice bone to chew on. He is an active pup, with a moderate play style.  He is somewhat food motivated, which will make it easy for training, and he is learning basic leash manners. He is pretty good with the sit and lay down commands. Braden will require a committed and loving human who will make him a part of the family, providing the care and attention that every young puppy needs. Only older dog-savvy children 8 and above 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 begin and continue his obedience training based upon positive reinforcement is recommended, to ensure he remains on the path of a well-behaved canine companion. We are currently screening applications for the best possible fit. show less

Cricket is a 4-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

Denali is a 12-week old male German Shepherd mix puppy who was picked up as a stray by Animal Control.  Due to his young age, the shelter reached out to our organization to assist in finding him an appropriate home, and we were happy to help. As Denali is new to us, we will post additional information as we come to know him better. What we can tell you, is that he is a sweet little boy, and didn’t hesitate to come to our evaluator upon first greeting.  He is just learning about the crate (although not happy at all), does well with other dogs, and is getting a firm grasp on house training.  His first night in his foster home, he slept in his crate all night with no issues. Denali will require a committed and loving human who will make him a part of the family, providing the care and attention that every young pup needs. Only older dog-savvy children 8 and above 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 begin and continue his obedience training based upon positive reinforcement is recommended, to ensure he remains on the path of a well-behaved canine companion. We are currently screening applications for the best possible fit; however, he will not be available until he has received all age appropriate vaccinations. show less

ADOPTION PENDING:  Jasmine is a 1-year 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

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 6-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 1-year old female German Shepherd mix puppy who was surrendered to our organization, as her family could no longer care for her. Cella is a very energetic young pup, who loves to explore. She was a bit shy and overwhelmed when first meeting the resident dogs in her foster home, but she became comfortable in no time, and has developed a rough and tumble play style. She has adapted very well to her crate, and rides well in the car. Cella will require an active home that can keep her physically and mentally challenged.  She is a very sweet pup, but is extremely smart, so her human must be 20 steps ahead of her.  She isn't too picky about toys, but is happy with a kong, ball, etc. that you can throw for her to chase.  Bringing it back can be somewhat of a challenge at times, but at other times, she will drop it at your feet.   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. 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