MIKEY
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| Meet Mikey. Mikey is a 9 week old purebred white German Shepherd that was surrendered to our rescue by his family for one reason--he was placed by a less than conscientious breeder with a family that was completely wrong for him. The breeder did not ask any questions about the family makeup before placing Mikey with them, nor did he know anything about Mikey or his personality, other than he was the "biggest one with the best markings." When the new owners called to tell him that Mikey was wrong for their family, his advice was to "run an ad in the paper and resell him," after which he stopped taking their phone calls.
The breeder had simply not done the groundwork for this puppy. German Shepherd puppies need constant socialization from birth. If given the opportunity, they will house train and crate train themselves. Mikey was not given that opportunity. They also need a strong pack leader. At this point in time, given his complete lack of socialization, Mikey is completely dog oriented and could care less if there is a human being in his world. All he cares about is spending time with the other dogs. He does not seek out human companionship; in fact, he tries to avoid it. There are no puppy kisses or tail wags for people in Mikey's life. The kisses and wags are all reserved for the dogs in his foster home.
Mikey says thanks to his family for doing the right thing for him and placing him in the proper hands. UPDATE 4/5: Progress already! We have been pushing our attention on Mikey, much to his dismay, but this evening, he actually did a puppy bow and tried to initiate play with one of our junior staff members. This is a HUGE step in the right direction! Mikey is housetrained to a doggie door, with his living area being completely clean and dry. He is now coming indoors for his naps rather than staying out in the yard and is voluntarily going into the adult dogs' open crates for naptime. Small steps to you, but HUGE ones for Mikey.
UPDATE 4/6: We've spent the last 24 hours completely flooding Mikey with our time and attention. His tail now wags when he hears his foster mom, although he's not quite ready to climb into her lap for affection. He will lick her hand and when he was gently corrected for trying to nibble on her fingers, he immediately went back to licking. He's had one minor accident in his sleeping area, but other than that has been clean in the house. Way to go, Mikey! Mikey met the resident cat today
UPDATE 4/10:
UPDATE 4/18: Mikey continues to grow and improve. He is becoming more social and is beginning to interact more and more with people. He still loves the other dogs in his foster home, but can't resist his foster mom's slippers--whether her feet are in them or not!
UPDATE 5/10: Mikey (AKA Brown Puppy) gets a bath:
Time will tell if this will become a permanent arrangement; we sure hope so, and so does Mikey!
UPDATE 5/30:  Mikey (growing like a weed) and big sister Angel Adoption fee $425.00.
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The first day that Mikey spent with his new family was the first time that he'd ever been away from his mother and brothers and sisters, the first time that he'd ever been inside a crate, the first time he'd ever been inside a house (Mikey and his siblings were raised in a garage), and the first time he'd ever been expected to behave himself. This insecure and unsocialized pup was placed with a family of first-time German Shepherd owners. Mikey immediately moved in and took over, basically doing whatever he pleased whenever he pleased, much to the dismay of his new mom, who had been expecting a much better behaved little boy and who had no idea what to do with this puppy. He cried non-stop mostly because the breeder had told the new owners to put him in a crate and let him cry), and was so confused about where to go potty that he basically went anywhere he pleased (usually in his crate). The 3 children in the household were too afraid to pet him because he constantly nipped at their fingers. Even mom hesitated to give him a treat because he tried to take her fingers with it.
On a positive note, Mikey is young and is now in the hands of one of our experienced staff members where he will receive exactly what he needs to get him back on the right track. He is already showing improvement and is a much less stressed out boy (and a much better behaved one) now that things have settled down for him. Once Mikey realized he now had leadership, his entire attitude changed. He has been quiet and calm and is quite the snuggler, although he does not choose to initiate contact. At right, Mikey greets some of the members of the resident pack at his temporary foster home.
We will be looking for a foster-to-adopt home for Mikey. Prior German Shepherd experience is a must, as is ongoing socialization and training. Please do not fill out a Prospective Adopter's Questionnaire for Mikey if you do not have GSD experience and/or are not willing to commit to training and/or are away from home during the day (ideally we are looking for a stay-at-home parent). All are requirements for his forever home, in addition to the requirements outlined in 
UPDATE 5/23: Mikey moved in with his new foster family today. Big Sister Angel is showing him the ropes and Mom Ginny and Dad Matt are continuing the training (and, of course, the spoiling).