Rescue Resources and Guidance —Page under construction

  • Please call us or email if you need our help. We all work full time jobs so will get back as soon as possible. We might not reach out till after the work day is done.

    We are a small group of humans with a combined hundreds of years of GSD experience if you add it all up.

    We are here for you when your best friend needs a new home or help finding a new GSD buddy.

    Our team is dedicated to our dogs and their humans so please contact us if you need assistance or advice.

  • Connection is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the members of this group as from the content of the website.

    Volunteers are on call to help. If you adopt then you will have access to your dog’s GSGSR Angel.

  • section under construction

  • We don’t just help dogs in need — we support the people who love them enough to make the hardest decision possible.

    If the dog’s surrendering owner and the adopter agree they can stay in contact with each other. Or the surrendering owner can communicate through GSGSR if that is preferred.

  • Congratulations on adopting a German Shepherd! This guide will help you and your new furry friend adjust to your new life together. 

    The 3-3-3 Rule 

    3 Days - Decompression: Your dog will need time to relax and get used to their new environment. Give them space and comfort during this phase. 

    3 Weeks - Adjustment: During this time, your German Shepherd will start adjusting to their new home. Establish a routine to make them feel secure. 

    3 Months - Settling In: By now, your dog should feel at home, with their personality shining through. Training and socialization will begin to show results. 

    Understanding Your German Shepherd 

    Exploration and Curiosity: Expect sniffing and investigating as they get familiar with their surroundings. Cautious Behavior: Initial reserve is normal; they’ll warm up with time. 

    Vocalization: Barking or whining is common as they express themselves. 

    Chewing and Nipping: Redirect this behavior to prevent unwanted habits. 

    High Energy Levels: Regular physical and mental stimulation is key. 

    What We Recommend 

    Do 

    1. Establish a Routine: Regular schedules help your dog feel secure and confident. 

    2. Create a Safe Space: A quiet area for them to retreat and rest. 

    3. Positive Reinforcement: Reward good behavior with treats and affection. 

    4. Socialization: Introduce new people and environments gradually. 

    5. Training: Start obedience training early; they are eager learners. 

    6. Patience and Understanding: Be supportive as they adjust. 

    Don't 

    1. Attend Dog Parks Early On: Wait until you know your dog's behavior with others. Dog Parks are often overwhelming and can cause reactivity quickly! 

    2. Introduce Too Many New Experiences at Once: Avoid overwhelming your dog. Try not to overload them with too many new things at once. 

    3. Leave Them Alone for Extended Periods of Time during Adjustment: Avoid extended periods of separation as German Shepherds are prone to separation anxiety when they’re just getting to know you. 4. Ignore Behavior Issues: Use positive reinforcement to guide them towards behaviors that benefit everyone. 

    By following these guidelines, you'll create a nurturing home for your German Shepherd and build a strong, trusting bond. Enjoy your journey together!

  • Our team knows and employs the trainers listed. If you are comfortable with your trainer and they can teach you how to train your dog, then please stick with them.

    ‍ Dog Trainers

    ‍Please call and interview trainers prior to committing to a contract. You can also call and talk to our team about trainers listed below. Remember a trainer has to train you, the dog parent, on how to train your dog.

    ‍ www.barkbasicsdogtraining.com

    ‍ ‍NEW YORK STATE

    ‍ ‍

  • For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend by Patricia B McConnell

    The Other End of the Leash by Patricia B McConnell

    Bringing Light to Shadow and other books by Pam Dennison

    Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog by Brenda Aloff

    Getting in TTouch with Your Dog: A Gentle Approach to Influencing Behavior, Health, and Performance by Linda Tellington

    The Tellington TTouch by Linda Tellington

    On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugass

    Relationship Centered Training Livining the connection——— ebook by Suzanne Clothier

    Unleashing Canine Counterstories Parot 2: Music Makes the Wrld Go Roun – Dr. Harvey'son

  • Trupanion has offered to waive the wait period for dogs adopted through GSGSR. Please contact them for more details.

    If other insurance companies would like to work with GSGSR we will update this area

  • Item description
A dog with tan and black fur, lying on a beige blanket with a stuffed toy. The dog has large ears and is wearing a chain collar. In the background, there is a Christmas tree with colorful lights and some wall art. 
Under construction; if you have suggestions, please send them to karen@gsgsr.org

  • Once you apply by filling out our owner referral form we will contact you with more information. Directions are on the form page.

    This section is under construction

  • There is a link to the volunteer application on our homepage.

    We especially need: fosters with no pets and no children that have large herding breed experience.

    We also need those that have experience with dog rescue.

    If you don’t have time to volunteer please consider donating. Donations help us rescue more dogs and support those we take in. For example all the donations that came in for Forrest helped us along his healing path, helped us buy him a custom wheelchair, allowed him to get his much needed hip surgery and MRIs. Forrest continues his journey with his doctors, physical therapy and other wellness appointments. Without those kind and generous humans Forrest could never have succeeded.

    We call it pay it forward: vet bills, food etc are paid for by your generousity. If there are leftover monies it allows for another dog or dogs to enter our program. Some dogs are cared for by their owners, other dogs are abandoned so need much more financial support.

    Members are not paid for services, volunteers and donors pay for everything. volunteers pay for their own gas to travel around the State of NJ and surrounding areas, use their own resources and personal vehicles to do the job at hand. Many volunteers will search out pet store discounts and go to private homes to pick up merchandise. We are thankful to have those that are able to give of their own resources. We don’t require this of any volunteer; they give out of love for the breed.

  • Wheel Chair Help

    Contact our team with specific questions for more help

    This section is still under construction and we appreciate additional information on resources

  • CATS*****A dog raised with dog savvy cats; that didn't mean any harm, might see those cats as either resources to guard or as pack members. If your cat is fearful and runs, no one knows if a dog will chase due to the cat's prey like behavior. We recommend not placing a dog; with a cat that is not dog savvy, if the cat acts like prey. A cat that stands its ground, that was raised with big dogs and will not attack a dog MIGHT be fine with a new dog. Any dog must be kept safe from a cat that is likely to claw a dog’s face. It is cat dependent. Also, a lead dog will enforce pack order and house rules on dog/cat behavior. When your dog is allowed to chase your cats, any new dog will pick that behavior up; as this behavior was allowed, by you, the pack leader. If your dog resource guards the cat, as its property, this can cause a fight when a new dog decides to chase a cat. When cats are part of the pack, and behave that way, and your dog accepts cats as pack members not to be chased, the new dog will learn from the rest of the pack.

    DOGS****A dog raised with other dog and that lived well in a structured pack with human leadership must continue that behavior. You, the human, are the leader and must enforce/keep house rules or one of the dogs will take this position. Be honest with yourself when placing a new dog into your pack. Can you lead them, guide them and integrate them all (cats and dogs) into an ordered pack?

    KIDS****If a dog was raised with young children and the children were respectful of the dog then the dog might just do well with other respectful children. Again, be honest, is your pack leadership of the family and the dogs acceptable? Are your children taught to respect the dog and give it space? If you have young children not raised around dogs, then it is better to wait till the children are old enough to understand how to behave around dogs.

    ****************

  • Handicapped Pets Foundation - https://hpets.org

Young puppy with black and tan fur sitting on a tiled floor indoors.

Thanks to businesses that support us

Rescue isn’t only about saving dogs. It’s about helping people through the difficult moments that lead them here. It’s about a team of volunteers and business donating their time to help when called on in a time of need. If your business wants to help with donations of goods and or services, please let us know.

Logo for WOOF House Studio with stylized 'W' and 'H' initials.

Free photo shoot, from Woof House Studio, when you adopt a GSGSR dog with choice of one free photo

A woman with gray hair hugging and playing with a large German Shepherd dog outdoors near a chain-link fence.

GSGSR is a member of the Trupanion Shelter program ask for the no wait period

Trupanion logo in black and white
Sunset over train tracks with power lines, with overlaid text that reads 'A rank Waven Photography'.

Frank Warren Photography