About Zen

Do you have German Shepherd experience? Have you been wanting to adopt recently? Well, we sure have the boy for you! This handsome stud is Zen and he is about 2-4 years old and is neutered. Zen has specific adoption requirements. Breed experience will be a requirement for interested adopters as he does have a few quirks and we would like to set him up for success. We will be very meticulous about who is allowed to visit with Zen. We would like to speak to you before you come to the shelter to make sure we are on the same page about Zen's behavior and your previous experience. Please call the shelter and ask to speak to Karen or Becky! Please take time to read through his entire profile. Visits with Zen will need to be scheduled, as well. He is an extremely intelligent boy and is very perceptive to people near him. He picks up if there is any fear and can become defiant in those situations. A challenge Zen has is that he wants to be in charge. If he thinks he is the dominant in your interaction, he tends to try to push past those boundaries then. He very much so wants your attention and affection and wants to be the center of your focus. He can headstrong and try to push boundaries, but he does learn quickly when directed to polite behaviors. Direct eye contact makes him anxious. True to his breed, Zen is not a huge fan of being inside the kennel. Outside, he is a much different dog and responds wonderfully to positive reinforcement and seems to love to learn. He will ask for cuddles, snuggles, and give lots of kisses as long as you have earned the position in the relationship of 'who is in charge'. Zen will need his adopter to give him time to adjust and learn to trust. He has shown some protective tendencies. He also seems nervous and afraid of other dogs at the shelter. However, if the resident dog in a potential home was friendly and confident, that could be a great relationship for Zen. A slow introduction would also be necessary, but could be worth it! Currently, we most likely would place Zen in a home with adults only. We are still evaluating what will be best for him and his future regarding kiddos. We have seen glimpses of Zen opening up and trusting and it really is fantastic to see! We also do think that if there is an interested adopter who understands this breed, that it could be a great fit for Zen.

LaPorte County
Michigan City, Indiana 46360