German Shepherd dogs, as well as the other herding breeds that we have in rescue, are highly active, energetic, working breeds. They require considerable vetting, exercise, socialization, training, leadership and mental stimuli in order to be well-adjusted, well-balanced, and well-mannered dogs. Even if you exercise and play with your dog daily in your fenced yard, you MUST still take your dog out on daily walks and outings in order to work on his/her leash skills, manners, and social skills. These breeds make great additions to active families who will pamper them, but who will also work with them, as they are smart dogs who need leadership, structure, plenty of activity and mental stimulation. 

If you are new to German Shepherds (and other herding breeds), please research the breed to make sure this is the dog for you. We ask that you consider the time and financial commitment that your German Shepherd (or other herding breed) dog will require before applying for one. Please review the section on our website (www.heartlandgsrescue.org) "Is a HUGS Dog Right for You?" for additional information.

Tia is a sweet, gorgeous young girl. Prior to rescue, Tia (who was heavily pregnant) had been abandoned and left to fend for herself. Luckily, we were able to get her before she anything happened to her and she had a litter of puppies on July 12, 2020. Tia is incredibly sweet and she was immediately grateful and relieved to get to safety with her babies. Tia and all of her ten puppies have been thriving in their foster home and will need forever homes of their own. 

Tia (Cotija) came to HUGS no more than skin and bones, keeping her ten 'cheesy' puppies fed and safe while still a puppy herself. Now that her puppies have all been weaned and are off to their forever homes, Tia is living large enjoying being a pampered foster dog and ready to find her perfect adopters!

Tia is friendly with humans and dogs, but takes a few weeks to really come out of her shell and let that feisty personality shine. Once Tia warms up to you, she'll make sure you know just how excited she is to see you every single time you leave - even if it's only for ten seconds to take out the trash. Tia takes cues very well from other dogs - she's becoming quite the wrestling partner to her teenage foster sister, but is quiet and gentle when she gives kisses to her grumpy old foster brother. Tia also loves pets and cuddling, and you're sure to win her over if you let her come up on the couch for snuggles. Tia's training is still in progress, and she needs reminders that she's only allowed on furniture with permission (she's taking her pampered new life seriously!).

Tia is potty trained, but still needs to be watched closely and let out often as she's only been mastering this skill for the past couple of weeks. Tia is also working on crate training. She used to hate going in it, but if you show her a treat she zooms right in. You also need to make sure any crate is fully latched - Tia is a bit of an escape artist who has managed to squeeze out of a wire crate, and can pop the door open on a plastic crate if it's not fully latched. Tia also likes if the door to her crate is left open so she can nap in it and sleep in it overnight.

Tia has also discovered just how great all toys are and loves them all - especially pulling them out of the toy box one by one to hoard on her favorite dog bed. She's great about sharing, though, and doesn't show any resource guarding if one of her furry foster siblings wants one of the toys out of her hoard. She particularly loves balls and bones, but really - most toys are fun to T!

Tia is still working on leash training (there are so many critters and new smells - it's hard to stay focused!), but even when she does pull, it's not very hard, and she corrects quickly and easily.

All in all, Tia is a dream dog, and any family would be lucky to have her as an addition. Her foster family loves her to death and would keep her in a heartbeat if it wouldn't limit their ability to keep fostering - she's just that special.

Tia's adoption fee is $350, all of which goes back into offseting our high-cost vetting expenses and rescuing more dogs.  We are a 100% volunteer-run rescue group and rely on adoption fees and donations to continue saving lives. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, current on age-appropriate vaccinations, fecal, deworming, flea/tick and heartworm preventative, heartworm tested if old enough (and treated if positive), and microchipped. 

Please visit  http://heartlandgsrescue.rescuegroups.org/info/adoption  for more information about our adoption process and requirements, and to apply. Like any of our dogs, Tia would make a great addition to an active home that will provide the love, structure, good leadership, activity and mental stimulation that her breed needs. Because of that, Tia's ideal owner will have prior GSD, or other herding breed experience. Even if you exercise and play with your dog daily in your fenced yard, please remember that you MUST still take your dog out on daily walks and outings, in order to provide sufficient stimulation, ward off boredom, and work on leash skills, and manners.