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.
River is a shy, but affectionate girl with gorgeous soulful eyes, who enjoys going on walks. She doesn't pull and walks great on the leash. She loves going for walks with the other dogs in her foster home.
When River arrived, she was petrified and scared of just about everything. She has come a long way since, and is doing great. She gets lots of confidence from being around other the other dogs in her foster home, and having patient humans that are gentle and are able to allow extra time for regular activities , as everything takes a little bit longer with River, due to her being timid. That said, with love and encouragement, she is a fantastic girl who loves you and thrives. Her ideal home will be with a kind, patient adopter who is home a lot, who is willing to go slow with her, and allow plenty of time for her to adjust to her new home. River can be a little bit scared of traffic noises (cars, trucks, motorcycles driving by when she's in the backyard), but she now accepts them for the most part on walks…because she loves walks! River is a little nervous about riding in the car, but does OK and keeps getting better about it, especially when she has dog buddies with her along! River is lovely girl, very sweet, friendly and docile, never a hint of aggression.
River is very food-motivated and loves chew toys, food and treats. She enjoys the company of other dogs, and really enjoys playing with other playful dogs. She LOVES to play chase in the backyard and do zoomies with the more playful dog in her foster home. She also likes to lay next to foster dad while he watches TV. She will sleep next to you in bed if allowed, or quietly in her crate if asked to. River is very social. She loves to be wherever you are in the house, usually under the table at your feet, or on the furniture if allowed. And she loves being around her doggy friends. River is shy but gets confidence from other dogs and follows their lead. Because of that, her ideal home will have a dog buddy.
River is a sweet loving girl who doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She loves all dogs, and every human she meets. Anyone that will give her a treat is her friend for life. Her favorite place to go is the local Hardware store because all the ladies know her, love her, and give her treats!
River loves hugs, pets, belly rubs and any other human contact. She is docile and is the easiest dog ever to have her nails trimmed. She shows absolutely no resistance and would let you do anything to her. She is very trusting. She is a nice dog buddy and playmate to the other dogs in her foster home. If you are patient, and are looking for a happy, quiet, loving, active, sweet girl who just needs to be shown how to be more confident and realize that she is safe, River is the dog for you!
The adoption fee for River is $275, 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, River 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, River’s ideal owners 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.
More about River
Good with Dogs
Please review the information in the "About Us", "Important Considerations" and "Adopt" sections on our website menu, as it contains useful information about the breed, adoption fees, the adoption process and our requirements, and how meeting the dogs works.
Video of River:
Other Pictures of River (click to see larger version):
Contact us at: Heartland German Shepherd Rescue, Po Box 652 Gretna, Ne 68028 Follow heartlandgsrescue on Facebook & Instagram
