Ellie German Shepherd Dog Chicago, IL

This sweet brown eyed girl is easy to fall for. She is a great size around 60 lbs, agile and swift, somewhere between 3-5 years old. When in her best element she can run clear across an acre tongue flapping in the wind, not a care in the world except for the person she is running to. Ellie bonds very strongly to the people that give her regular care, training and love. She is very affectionate, enjoys pets and is receptive to learning new things. It's easy to get her attention outside with a good whistle or kissy noise, she has a great recall and comes running immediately.

Ellie originated as a stray and was pulled from CACC (Chicago Animal Care and Control). When she was first pulled from AC this girl lacked confidence, was a nervous wreck around new people, had little meltdowns when she saw the one person she clung to walk away, needless to say she needed some TLC.

Fast forward to her current state, Ellie is living with a trainer, learning her manners, using a crate wonderfully, interacting with other dogs, going out in public places, learning leash skills, enjoying the great outdoors and playtime off leash. This enrichment program is helping to prepare Ellie for the transition she will go through when being placed in her forever home. During her time here the trainer thinks that she would do best in a home as an only pet but she can potentially live with a male dog that has a more lax but assertive personality. She demonstrates some very typical herding behaviors that many shepherds portray and not all dogs like that controlling type of personality. She does do well in small packs of social dogs that can communicate clearly to her when they don’t want attention or to play. Ellie does not do the best with little dogs or cats, she does have a prey drive and gets too excited. When it come to people living in the home , no children under 15 years old. Ideally a couple of adults is the best home environment as little kids may be too much stimulation for her. Ellie was very nervous with strangers from the beginning and is building up her social skills with Introductions to new people and tolerance with them in her space so wherever she goes the family must be open to continuing the training with her and new people.

An owner with shepherd experience is recommended for Ellie and someone that is willing to work along side the trainer in her transition process from training program to home. If interested please fill out an application at www.gsrescue1.org