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Hi, I'm the owner of two cross breed GSD and this is our story...
Reno is my boy and was rescued from a Lancaster dog charity called WolfWood.
I had decided to get a dog for the first time in five years, I had no idea what I was letting myself into getting a rescue dog with behavior issues.
Reno was eight months old when I got him (he is three now) he is a GSD x Siberian Husky and it was his bright blue eyes that had attracted me to him.
Reno's story was somewhat confusing to say at the least, a family had given him to their local dog warden at an age of six months saying they had found him as a stray but could not keep him. Reno was in good health and no one came forward for him and it was suspect that they just could not handle this pup.
So I made the five hour journey up to Lancaster from London in torrential rain, I don't think I've actually seen rain this hard before let alone driven in it. Nonetheless I arrived at the hotel in one piece and booked myself in.
The next day I went to visit Reno, I got to take him for a walk in the scenic surround areas and immediately fell in love. He was a terror, had no lead discipline nor would he listen to a single word I said however he knew very well what a treat was and where they were in my pocket - a little bribery got me everywhere.
I was surprised at Reno's vocal range which was from a high pitch howl to the deepest bark he had a great personality.
I met the owner of the charity and showed him photos of where I lived (obviously a home visit was out of the question). I was told also that people had attempted to re home Reno already but he was too boisterous for them,
I parted company with Reno for that day as he was taken into the kennel and I went back to the hotel to mull things over (obviously sharing the photos I had taken from the day with my friends and family back in London.) I even went to the local shops to buy toys for him the next day!
Reno came home with me that day and he started his new life, little did I know how much he would turn mine upside down.
We got back to London pretty late... there had been a few dog sick incidents on route but this was to be expected. I let Reno into the house and he immediately explored... some of my family were over at the time and he was excited to see them too although concentrated on the large garden to the back mostly.
He settled in and chilled out...
With the activity of my household Reno was never going to be left on his own for more then a few hours at a time. I had a few days off to help him settle and he had become very clingy and very attached. I was aware he was with another kennel mate when at the rescue center.
I left for work one day and Reno was due to be alone for two hours. I had locked him in the downstairs hallway and kitchen with plenty of air and room to move.
Little did I know Reno could open doors and had acute separation anxiety.
I came back to this:
**The leather sofa was around three months old!**
I honestly did not know where to begin cleaning, he had even chewed glass photo frames! (Luckily uninjured)
Anyway things were fixed and the sofa was made as good as new for surprisingly very little cost..
Reno then met his new home the crate for when I was away.
Moving ahead Reno settled in well but started attacking if anyone went near toys or food and was constantly challenging with his teeth if he did not want to do something. Eventually he found his pecking order and was a lovely pet to have... recalled when off the lead and although sometimes boisterous with other dogs when out for a walk he soon calmed down.
He became a little angel and soon could be left home alone without causing any damage at all.
Toilet training was not an issue for Reno either, two accidents is all it took with some clear direction to teach him where to go in the garden, so intelligent.
Among his favourtie activities were: walks (obviously), showers (I know right?)... playing with the sprinkler in the garden and stealing wine from my wine glass if it's left unattended!
Some time went by and I decided to rehome another dog as a companion for Reno.
It didn't take me long to find a scragally looking GSD x Ridgeback on Gumtree.
I went to visit her and she came home that very same day at only five months old...
Meet Skye:
Skye was quite malnourished and was being fed very poor quality food so took it took quite some time to get her up to full strength.
Both dogs immediately became inseparable and to this day are very strong minded pack dogs.
Skye was no issue however had a little nervousness towards strangers and aggressiveness to other dogs however with exposure she soon became a perfect little girl!
Reno and Skye now have a brilliant life together however I think I'm the one that come out on top.
I leave you with a few photographs of them both - thanks for reading!
Martin
Reno is my boy and was rescued from a Lancaster dog charity called WolfWood.
I had decided to get a dog for the first time in five years, I had no idea what I was letting myself into getting a rescue dog with behavior issues.
Reno was eight months old when I got him (he is three now) he is a GSD x Siberian Husky and it was his bright blue eyes that had attracted me to him.
Reno's story was somewhat confusing to say at the least, a family had given him to their local dog warden at an age of six months saying they had found him as a stray but could not keep him. Reno was in good health and no one came forward for him and it was suspect that they just could not handle this pup.
So I made the five hour journey up to Lancaster from London in torrential rain, I don't think I've actually seen rain this hard before let alone driven in it. Nonetheless I arrived at the hotel in one piece and booked myself in.
The next day I went to visit Reno, I got to take him for a walk in the scenic surround areas and immediately fell in love. He was a terror, had no lead discipline nor would he listen to a single word I said however he knew very well what a treat was and where they were in my pocket - a little bribery got me everywhere.
I was surprised at Reno's vocal range which was from a high pitch howl to the deepest bark he had a great personality.
I met the owner of the charity and showed him photos of where I lived (obviously a home visit was out of the question). I was told also that people had attempted to re home Reno already but he was too boisterous for them,
I parted company with Reno for that day as he was taken into the kennel and I went back to the hotel to mull things over (obviously sharing the photos I had taken from the day with my friends and family back in London.) I even went to the local shops to buy toys for him the next day!
Day two arrived and I went back to the shelter to take Reno on a longer walk. He was immediately please to see me - result! Having gone immediately towards my treat pocket he was pleased nonetheless as was I. Went for an even longer walk this time. Apart from howling at sheep and pulling me towards them all was well.Reno came home with me that day and he started his new life, little did I know how much he would turn mine upside down.
We got back to London pretty late... there had been a few dog sick incidents on route but this was to be expected. I let Reno into the house and he immediately explored... some of my family were over at the time and he was excited to see them too although concentrated on the large garden to the back mostly.
He settled in and chilled out...
With the activity of my household Reno was never going to be left on his own for more then a few hours at a time. I had a few days off to help him settle and he had become very clingy and very attached. I was aware he was with another kennel mate when at the rescue center.
I left for work one day and Reno was due to be alone for two hours. I had locked him in the downstairs hallway and kitchen with plenty of air and room to move.
Little did I know Reno could open doors and had acute separation anxiety.
I came back to this:
I honestly did not know where to begin cleaning, he had even chewed glass photo frames! (Luckily uninjured)
Anyway things were fixed and the sofa was made as good as new for surprisingly very little cost..
Reno then met his new home the crate for when I was away.
Moving ahead Reno settled in well but started attacking if anyone went near toys or food and was constantly challenging with his teeth if he did not want to do something. Eventually he found his pecking order and was a lovely pet to have... recalled when off the lead and although sometimes boisterous with other dogs when out for a walk he soon calmed down.
He became a little angel and soon could be left home alone without causing any damage at all.
Toilet training was not an issue for Reno either, two accidents is all it took with some clear direction to teach him where to go in the garden, so intelligent.
Among his favourtie activities were: walks (obviously), showers (I know right?)... playing with the sprinkler in the garden and stealing wine from my wine glass if it's left unattended!
Some time went by and I decided to rehome another dog as a companion for Reno.
It didn't take me long to find a scragally looking GSD x Ridgeback on Gumtree.
I went to visit her and she came home that very same day at only five months old...
Meet Skye:
Skye was quite malnourished and was being fed very poor quality food so took it took quite some time to get her up to full strength.
Both dogs immediately became inseparable and to this day are very strong minded pack dogs.
Skye was no issue however had a little nervousness towards strangers and aggressiveness to other dogs however with exposure she soon became a perfect little girl!
Reno and Skye now have a brilliant life together however I think I'm the one that come out on top.
I leave you with a few photographs of them both - thanks for reading!
Martin
