Ruby in Suffolk

RUMBUSTIOUS RUBY

Poor Ruby finds herself needing a new home through no fault of her. Even in ideal circumstances she would have been a handful, but then dogs like her often make the the best companions when properly trained. So all might have worked for her. Sadly, her owner has health problems that have arisen and this is a factor, in that Ruby has not been exercised as her owner would have wished. Then along with this, she has missed the range of experience and socialisation that all shepherds need when they are youngsters.

Ruby is a typical shepherd and so she guards her family enthusiastically. Her owner, who is not well, has become increasingly concerned about the potential consequences of this and feels unconfident. Ruby picks up on her anxiety and believes that her guarding is all the more urgent as there must be some threat to make her owner so anxious. It is a vicious cycle and one that we see often. This can be easily resolved by a calm, confident owner who has the leadership skills to show Ruby that there is nothing to fear.

Ruby is said to be a 'loveable goof ball' around the house and is a wonderful family dog. She lives with cats happily and is good with the family children. Her guarding behaviour is for anyone outside the 'pack' . This is so typical of GSD behaviour. Anything 'other' is unwanted and potentially scarey, especially if the dog is a youngster and might be nervous.

Our assessor felt that, in the right hands, Ruby could become a credit to her breed. She needs a calm assertive owner who has experienced taking a youngster back to basics and who has the time to give her the range of experience that she has lacked. She needs an owner who can show her by his own calm confidence that there is nothing to fear in the outside world. Once she no longer lives with the tension of her present home, Ruby will have a chance to relax and enjoy life outside, in the same way as she does inside.

Have you the time, commitment and skill set to enable Ruby to blossom