About Heidi

Heidi is (suspectedly) an intact female German Shepherd dog. Her reproductive status is unknown, she has been kept with my fixed dogs since early July 18th, 2018. She was found by a friend, wandering by the country highway. This friend was unable to protect Heidi from running away except for to tie her to a trash can outside. It was hot out, a storm was predicted that night and she would have been fully exposed. My heart couldn't be aware of that and walk away. So of course I went to check on this malnourished, matted, infested, sorry yet hopeful young girl. I noticed straight away that males cause her a lot of distress and mistrust. I eventually found out the situation and the individual who mistreated her and unsurprising there is a repetitive pattern of similar tragedies as a result of his hand. He dumps sick or misbehaving puppies he finds no value in causing a sad wake of damage. I'm unwilling to take action against this situation and do not wish to participate except to help those animals who would come to me for help. I would be willing to let others take action and support animal welfare, even as a farmer. Back to Heidi. She is a beautiful girl with a lot of love to give to the right family. She longs to be accepted, but she tends to be shy and pensive. She is so intelligent and even the slightest offense to her will be put to memory. It is essential that she belongs with someone who understands abuse and the breed. That person needs to be securely and safely able to give the time, patience, space, stimulation, purpose and the heart it will take to bring this lovely girl back to her full potential. Here are the places where Heidi needs your help to grow: She needs consistency in house training. She finds it difficult and anxiety inducing to feel she's unable to let you know what she needs. Attentive care needs to be taken when giving her a tool she can use and the respect she needs to be able to learn to be good. She wants to please, so you have that to your advantage. Read up on training tips and use your resources to help you with Heidi. Coffee and a good friend to vent to should remain at hand. She herds things. Please reduce the amount of correction she will need in this area by not keeping animals nearby she could do damage to. She is a chewer and a busybody. She wants to be where you are at all times. She will gather things that smell great and remind her of you and enjoy them in various and very 'dog ways if you don't tell her what she' can and cannot have. Crate training is something she knows and enjoys when she is given a treat. Reduce everyone's stress and use this to your advantage. Sometimes we need a time out to collect ourselves and relax. Heidi is obsessive. She has quirks that are common to German Shepherds that have their place. For example, she is a fabulous guardian. She will often circle her turf several times before coming inside to relax. She feels it's her duty to protect. Be kind and train her to understand who is and isn't a stranger. Socialize her, she may resist it, but be positive and persistent. Involve food and her favorite things whenever possible. Take her to training! She needs constant activity and longs to connect with you. She snuggles and grins and is very close with one person. She has a gentle mouth, but she gets excited and forgets sometimes what she's doing. Heidi has hope and has bonded well with the use of love, treats, a gentle hand and positive reinforcement. She needs consistency and someone who understands her needs. Her desire to be near you gives her the super power to jump 5' fences, please don't push her to it if you can help it before she feels secure and at home. Please read up on the German Shepherd breed, they truly are 'man's best friend', but they need a lot from you to be their best. Heidi has strong GSD traits and is very lovable for them.

Vermilion Parish
Kaplan, Louisiana