Rocco was owned by an elderly woman who fell when taking him for a walk. Being a typical GSD, as people went running up to help her there was a lot of yelling, and commotion and he became very protective of his owner as the strangers tried to pull him away from her and he nipped one of them on the arm. It was small punctures and fortunately no stitches were needed.  This was the first incident ever like this from Rocco who has always been good with people.

We were called to help Rocco when it was evident that the elderly woman who owned him could no longer care for him.  She was moving into a senior housing complex that would not allow a big dog like Rocco to live there.  As a young dog he had a lot of professional training even staying with the trainer for boarding, and accompanying the trainer with his own dogs ,and family on camping trips. At the time Rocco was being surrendering he wrote us a lovely letter explaining how great a dog that Rocco was and he was relieved we were taking him into GSRNE.

In mid September we moved Rocco to a new foster home that had a three year old female GSD.  At first things went well but, within a few weeks once he became more comfortable in the home Rocco became pushy. He seemed to bond very quickly with the husband but was beginning to growl at the wife when she would walk into the room. After a walk he would plop down into a sit and refuse to come inside, and with a tug on the leash he would begin to growl.  The foster home started to become afraid of him and we realized that he was more dog than they could handle so, we moved him to a board and train facility. 

Rocco has competed his obedience training and is doing excellent.  He is friendly and well behaved with all the staff at the facility. He is a dog that needs strong leadership and good dog skills.  He requires a confident person because he will test you at first to see if you’re a pushover. Our trainer who has been working with him told us he’s a great dog but, needs a pack leader —someone who is not afraid of the big 100 pound boy, or he will challenge you.  He has been out in the daycare facility with other dogs and he is fine with the females but, not with the other dogs that are males.  Rocco would do best in a home with that is willing to continue obedience training with him.