Alfred & Joker

Alfred and Joker, 4 year old brothers, have had a really tough start to the year. Sadly their owner died and they were taken in temporarily by his son, who lived on a caravan site and already had two large dogs of his own.

We have seen videos of the boys separately walking with one of the sons dogs however we are currently unsure to what extent Alfred and Joker had already mixed with the son and his dogs and what environment they had previously lived in. We would advise caution and gradual introduction as we do know that despite several rescues and FB sites supporting the carer with food, vaccinations etc and appealing for someone to offer a large dog experienced foster home or kennels place over a number of weeks nobody had been able or willing to do so prior to GSDR stepping up to save these boys from euthanasia. 

When four large dogs proved too much for the sons neighbours and landlord he was evicted from the site and, with literally nowhere left to go, the devastated son felt he now had no other option left than to call the vets. Alfred and Joker were at very serious risk of being put to sleep the following day. 

As an emergency measure they were signed over to a local sanctuary, but one who don’t generally rehome such large dogs and we’re therefore only able to offer them an overnightassessment and subsequently a very temporary kennel space. 

Fortunately, as a final appeal was issued to various Gsd rescues, GSDR and a few volunteers became aware of the urgent need to bring breed experienced help to these boys and were within hours able to respond with an offer of the rescues support and a foster home.  

We are told that, in a secure field Alfred enjoyed chasing a ball but Joker had little interest in this and just did his own thing. 

After so much upheaval the boys were a little unsure of being brought out to meet yet another stranger and we’re not entirely welcoming to him, but nevertheless into the car they went.

They travelled without issue but we’re then even less happy to see a border collie dog at the other end of their journey and took to guarding the car and home at any sight or sound. Based on what we do know so far of their past environment, and observing them over the following days, our volunteer believes that they may well have been used to guarding a yard / site in the past, as even he was unable to get up to the toilet in the nightwithout setting them off barking.  This behaviour did however stop after just 3 days of patience and effort to gain their trust when the boys, laid quietly opposite him, suddenly decided that our volunteer required an immediate greet and lick, and have sought to be firm pals in the following four days since. 

As yet the three dogs have still not been mixed properly but Alfred and Joker are gradually becoming a little quicker torespond to their fosterer in varied scenarios and did for the first time yesterday stop barking at the sight of them passing by andthen standing still in their sight, some calming signals were then observed between all 3 dogs.   Alfred and Joker may occasionally give a minor grumble to each other, EG if coming face to face in a small space, competing for a place nearest food etc but have shown no aggression to each other. If anything they are happy to lay all over each other.

They have also seen people, a passing cat and various dogs, sheep, again initially barking robustly at them, bar the young cat and a young Labrador pup ahead, in a generally successful attempt to deter all comers. Alfred in particular seems very interested in ducks and geese in the fields, but whilst wanting to watch and pull towards them, unusually for him, did not bark.This barking behaviour has however largely reduced since taking to their fosterer. 

Both Alfred and Joker will counter surf given an opportunity, jump to try and eat from their dish before it hits the floor if not controlled, and seek to drink dry every puddle or bucket they may see. They are seemingly used to being on a settee when available. 

Interestingly they don’t necessarily bark on hearing other dogs, only when seeing them.  It should be noted that if the boys were together they would both originally tend to bark very heavilyand seemingly have little training, save for perhaps having been deliberately taught to deter strangers, thus will require an experienced and determined home, willing to earn their trust, come what may.  Separately Alfred would still bark, whilst Joker would become more inclined to ignore such distractions. Joker has however been observed as quite reliant on Alfred,initially running around looking for a means of getting back to him when taken out alone.  For these reasons we are willing to consider splitting the boys if an experienced and committed home is available for each of them but it is vital that these boys are not let down or thrown into any uncertainty again. It may be that you will need to make a few visits and get to know them before they will trust you, or that a meet on more neutral groundand a few high value treats will see them happier to greet you. 

Once you have earned their trust however these two boys, though seeming to know little more than their names and, an at times reluctant, sit are genuinely delightful dogs and very eager to be your affectionate friends. 

They will compete for placing and the treat or food, but do not guard food from each other, nor their fosterer and hence needingsome work putting into all areas of training from scratch. 

They may need some work on toilet training, especially overnight, though it is currently unclear whether this is actually about training or more about seeking to scent mark an area normally occupied by another dog. Alfred and Joker are currently both underweight, Alfred, standing at approximately 26.5” from floor to peak of back, having been 30kg, and Joker at approximately 28” weighed 33kg when vaccinated a week or so ago. Each seems to have a ravenous appetite and thirst at present but on the plus side, though Joker would not initially take a treat, only eat from a dish, they are now both becoming much more interested in winning their treat with a sit. Joker in particular will seek to jump up to you when excited but is easily told no, down. Both dogs are seemingly used to 7 or 8 feet of line and will pull ahead, particularly as a competing pair given the opportunity. They are much easier to call to heel when walked separately. 

If you can commit to offering one or both of these boys their permanent new start and have significant experience with large breed dogs please fill out our adoption form today and we will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your interest further.