Isa is a happy dog, smart and active…she likes to go, go, go. After playing in the yard or going for a long walk, she will relax in the house but may try to play a little more with her toys before taking a nap. In the evenings, after a busy day, she’ll lie down close to the sofa so her foster Mom can reach down to stroke her head. Her foster Mom has learned that Isa’s favorite toy is a simple tennis ball, and she wants to play fetch over and over. When out for a walk, if they walk past people playing with a Frisbee or a ball, Isa gets very excited and will give a high-pitched excitement bark and try to pull towards the action. She’s learning to listen to her foster Mom and keep walking on by, but she still needs reminders in order to do that. At just over a year old, Isa still needs a lot of training and guidance.

She can be reactive to other dogs she sees during walks, but she has made friends with some dogs that she sees regularly. Isa was a bit unsure about meeting new people when we first met her, but she has had a lot of socialization and now gets very excited when someone wants to meet her; in the home, she’ll pick up one of her toys and take it to the visitor. Sometimes, she’ll lie on her back and hold a stuffed toy with her front paws, chewing on it to make it squeak.

Isa’s original owner received her as a gift, from a relative, after losing a senior

German Shepherd. The owner already had a 1-year-old female Golden Retriever; and as Isa got older, the two females did not get along. In order to avoid a fight and damage to either dog, the owner asked GSRNE to find Isa another home.

In foster care, Isa is comfortable staying in a crate for up to four hours, when her foster Mom has to be out. She gets a Kong filled with frozen canned food or yogurt and peanut butter, and she looks forward to working on this treat. In a car, Isa wears a safety harness connected to the seat belt and rides nicely. She needs a home with someone who is experienced with German Shepherds and will give her clear, consistent guidance and who will enjoy giving her daily walks and playtimes. She does have a high prey drive, so no cats in the home. She could excel in obedience competition, Rally or Nose work and will enjoy using her intelligence, as well as being a loving companion.