Kona is a super sweet, affectionate, mostly mellow and very responsive dog! He likes to cuddle, play ball and play with other dogs. Kona has done great with dogs off leash so far, though gets distracted by them in training class and it's hard for him to pay attention to anything else. Kona's fur was a bit rough when we first got him, but we switched him to a grain-free food (Taste of the Wild) and put him on some salmon oil. It looks great now! He's a strikingly beautiful shepherd and gets lots of compliments. Kona's well-behaved in my home, though if I'm gone for more than an hour, I either take him in my car or leave him in his crate. He does pretty well in cars, though dirt roads make him anxious and he then tries to crawl into the driver's seat and hide his head in my lap. We're working on that... We let him on one of our couches and Kona loves to lay next to us, but also listens if we tell him to get off and lie down while we are eating. He doesn't know very many specific commands yet (and if stressed, doesn't follow the ones he knows) and we're working on good leash behavior, but I think he has lots of potential. As Kona has spent more time here, he's gotten more protective of our home and sometimes barks a bit when someone knocks on the door. He quiets down once we introduce him to someone or if we put him in his bed. Kona warms up quickly to women and kids, but is wary of some bigger guys at first. That said, he has totally bonded to my partner, who is also a bigger guy. When we have multiple guests at once, we start with Kona in his crate so he can see that whomever we're introducing him to is a friend of ours, and then once everyone is settled and sitting (less intimidating for him), we let him out to say hi. As long as it's not a big group and no one is too huge (we have one friend who is super big and Kona still doesn't like him around), he does great. We don't make him say hi to anyone he doesn't want to and instruct everyone to let him say hi to them, not vice versa - and to not reach out and pet him until he is clearly comfortable. We took him on some hikes and an overnight backpack--he did great in all the terrain we were on and was super fun to be around. We kept him on leash on the trail. (Kona was good if leashed to the first person, but pulled forward if behind.) We let him off leash when we left the trail. Kona was fantastic off trail and off leash--stayed within sight and came back whenever called--we were super impressed. Kona has the potential for attachment anxiety in certain situations. He has already bonded to both me and my partner and when my partner left our camp for a side trip that couldn't include Kona, Kona was very upset and spent the next couple hours yelping and trying pull away in the direction he had left. After that situation, one of us would take him for a walk whenever the other was leaving so that he didn't see the departure take place, in which case no anxiety was triggered. Kona does fine with us leaving at home, so I think this was in part a function of being in a new place and wanting his pack to stay together. He's still adjusting to tent sleeping. We couldn't believe he wasn't more exhausted after such a big day! My sense is that Kona would do best in a living situation with another dog, as he has a lot of playful, but mouthy energy that could use a healthy and consistent outlet. I also suspect he'd do best in a consistent environment that generally has the same people and not a lot of chaos. Kona gets overwhelmed by big groups of people, big guys, and city landscapes. Please fill out an application to meet me at http://www.washingtongsd.org/application.html The adoption process includes completion of an adoption application, a vet check, a home visit and a lifetime adoption contract.

PLEASE NOTE:
The information contained within this biography is based on observations from the current foster home. In no way can we predict future behavior and or temperament as individual household dynamics vary greatly, and are impacted by the experience and leadership of those within the home.

Adoptions are not done on a first come first serve basis. WA German Shepherd Rescue is the companion animal's advocate and will select the most suitably matched home for the dog's general needs and the unique needs of each individual dog in our care. We reserve the right to refuse service and adoption without explanation.

If you would like to adopt, please visit our website.

https://washingtongsd.org/adopt

IF WE FIND YOU TO BE A GOOD MATCH YOU WILL BE CONTACTED typically within 72 hours. YOU WILL HEAR FROM US ONLY IF WE FIND YOU TO BE A GOOD MATCH FOR ONE OF OUR RESCUE ANIMALS AND OUR ADOPTION GUIDELINES/PROGRAM. WE MUST REVIEW A COMPLETED APPLICATION BEFORE A POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT IS ARRANGED. NO EXCEPTIONS.

All visits with the puppies/dogs are by approved applications and appointments only. *We reserve the right to refuse any adoption without justification and not all applications or inquiries may receive a response.*

Thank you for your interest in our rescue dogs.

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