Status: Adopted
Age: 3 years (DOB 12/9/15)
Size: Large
Color: sable
Sex: Male
Activity level: Medium to High
Good with other dogs: Some if properly introduced
Good with cats: No
Foster parents: Debi T
Sponsor Buddies:
Yard Fencing: Required
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Password: Lex
Photos by: Loueen LaVallee
When we got the call about Lex, we didn’t hesitate to arrange for one of our
volunteers to meet him and do the evaluation as soon as possible. We were told
by the caller that he had been purchased as a service dog for the couple’s
daughter, but his own physical and emotional health were not up to doing that job
at all. He needed immediate vet care and time for his health to improve, and they
had started that process for him. However, he was hyper-focused on their cats
and could not be in the main part of the house most of the time, so he was either
in the finished basement or outside on a run.
Once in an experienced foster home, Lex started responding well to having a calm
routine, daily exercise and mental stimulation. His anxiety level visibly decreased,
and he no longer paces and circles aimlessly. His foster Mom has been working
with a trainer, and together they have helped him with basic obedience and
manners. Lex scores an A with doing a sit or down, coming when called and doing
a “wait” in a doorway or before exiting the car. He walks on a loose leash but
does get very excited when seeing a squirrel or rabbit and will pull towards them.
Lex is crate trained, but he needs an XXX-Large crate, which is 54” long; he can’t
move around comfortably in a 48” crate, which is what we usually use for the
male German Shepherds. He has been to a Petco and other stores for
socialization and greets people politely; but he doesn’t really want to be petted by
people he hasn’t spent a lot of time with….he’ll just move away.
In his foster home, Lex has been enjoying the company of the resident female
GSD, Phoenix, and she’s a good role model for him. Lex has been there for two
months, now, so he could de-stress, get neutered and learn to be a normal pet
GSD and companion. It’s not surprising that his foster Mom…and Phoenix…don’t
want him to leave, so Lex has found his forever home, much to our delight!
