Gemma

Gemma is a very cute, very feisty GSD with a red, tan and black coat, who is on the smaller side at about 55 lbs. Although she is short of stature, she has a long bushy tail and classic Shepherd appearance. Gemma came to us as an unclaimed stray from the Sacramento SPCA, so nothing is known of her background. Although her exact age is unknown, but we estimate her to be approximately 15-18 months.

Gemma is a very high drive dog, who is quite vocal, and tends to be very bossy around her foster pack. Her demeanor indicates that she has not had much socialization around other dogs. While she clearly wants to engage, she has not yet learned how to play appropriately. She will think nothing of taking on a large Alpha male and sparring aggressively with him. She has started to figure out that this is not a good way to make friends, and she's presently learning appropriate behavior thru consistent correction from her human and canine pack mates. She has been improving each day, however, due to this tendency to dominate, she may be better off in a home where she is an only dog.

Gemma is housebroken, but needs to be watched for signs that she wants to go out to do her business. She has had a few accidents in the house, but only when we were not paying attention and forgot to let her out. When going outside, Gemma is exuberant and loves to run around the yard barking and chasing birds, squirrels and whatever else is around to entertain her. She loves to "converse" with the neighbors dogs over the fence, which we have allowed her to do in short intervals. Gemma came to us without much in the way of manners, but she has already learned sit, wait (for in the house, and food), and she's starting to walk well on a leash. She needs a lot of work on recall, mostly because she gets so excited when she's outside. There is no doubt that Gemma is a smart girl, but she will absolutely need full obedience training with her new family to reach her full potential. Gemma has a taste for hard bones, and hard rubber toys above all others. She has been known to go after a shoe now and then if one is left lying about, but she will gladly surrender it in exchange for a Nylabone.

While she has not quite figured out how to retrieve, Gemma loves running around and being chased. She is very naturally athletic, and would be a great candidate for any type of agility or other canine sports, or as a running companion. She shows a strong interest in water, and likes to copy her foster pack mates by stepping on the entry stair of our swimming pool, but she has not yet actually swam in the water yet.

Although this is a very active and high drive little girl, she also knows how to enjoy a quiet moment. When relaxing with her foster pack in the evenings, Gemma generally prefers to lie on the open floor near her people. At bedtime, she will sometimes avoid going into her crate until after her pack mates, but will eventually settle in once she's in and the lights are out. Whatever extra work it is to put her to bed is more than compensated for when you wake her up and uncrate her in the morning. Gemma greets the day with raucous enthusiasm and a squiggly dance of circles around the floor until she gets a hug and then gets to go outside.

Because Gemma exhibits a high prey drive, she needs to be in a home with no cats, or other small animals. Gemma tends to alarm bark whenever she hears a noise outside, and reacts with loud barking. With the right training, she could become an excellent watch dog. She really enjoys going for trips in the car, especially when it means going for a walk somewhere before returning home.

Considering her personality, Gemma would probably be most happy being an only Dog. Because of her apparent high intelligence, she will thrive with a family that will include her in daily outings and activities as well as continue to work on her training, and possibly get her involved in some kind of sporting work, or activity. This sweet little girl has a lot of love and energy to give, and will bring a lot of love and joy to the right forever home.

This is a Level 3 Dog. Please be sure you understand what a dog of this Level requires.

Added August 2015