A LITTLE BIT OF THE HISTORY OF OUR RESCUE We at LGSR have been involved in the rescue and rehoming of German Shepherds for many years. Originally as part of national organisations we decided to “go it alone” in June 2003 after realising how great a need there was in the Lancashire area. Since we started we have rescued and rehomed an average of 100 dogs and bitches per year of all ages and from all backgrounds. We have had strays in need of veterinary care for horrendous maltreatment and at the other end of the scale, well cared for, well loved ones for whom changes in family circumstances have made it impossible for their owners to continue to care for them as they would have liked. We foster the dogs in our own homes believing that a kennel environment is not good for a family companion for any longer than the annual holidays – and not even that long for some. We integrate them as much as possible with the other dogs as some, no matter how well cared for, are badly in need of socialisation. We have dogs that come to us who “don’t get on with other dogs” who are living with 3 or 4 others inside the house before they leave, sometimes within days. We have garden runs and pens for those who prefer or need to be alone, heated for winter and with blankets and duvets to keep them comfy. We have had some who are afraid of their own shadows but with time and patience they learn that most people are not their enemies. Trust needs to be built up over time so we often need to show the new owners how we have worked with the dog and how they also need to build up a rapport so that they become best friends. We believe that a natural diet is also important for our dogs and feed them natural raw tripe or chicken mince with a good dried food sometimes with a little fresh blended veg with garlic and olive oil, or raw meaty bones. We also use natural supplements and herbal remedies to help keep our dogs healthy and the vet bills down. Garlic helps keep the tics and fleas away whilst helping with the blood, olive oil is a general all rounder but helps with the coat and skin, eyebright for bathing the eyes, MSM and Glucosamine – your granny might have this for her arthritis but it is wonderful for GSDs with the same problems. We had an old girl of 12 on it who was too stiff and sore to move much without it but still willing to run and play a little with it. It gave her an extra year of decent quality life. We didn’t overdo it of course but she was still a happy contented dog. We gave her Willow Bark tablets as well to keep the inflammation down and the pain under control (not to be used without consulting your vet if your dog is on heart medication as it is the herbal equivalent of aspirin). We home-check all potential owners and ask for vet references so that we can be sure that the right dog is going to the right home. We don’t re-home to upstairs flats as a breed with a potential for hip problems should not have to climb stairs everyday but should also have ample opportunity to go outside once the family are home without having to be taken out for “walkies”. Of course walks should be part of the everyday routine but in addition to the meanders in and out of the house not instead of. We don’t rehome as guard dogs either – our dogs are family members only. We have a no-breeding policy and as part of the adoption agreement ask that any dog that we have not already neutered has this done. If you are interested in being a foster carer you need GSD experience and a willingness to give your time to care for one of these wonderful dogs. We pay for food and approved vet bills and expenses. If you would like to adopt we prefer you to have owned a GSD before or have a good knowledge of the breed but also a willingness to learn with a lot of love to give with an understanding that a rescue dog may sometimes have problems that we don’t know about because of an uncertain background. We assess the dogs as much as we can in the time they are with us and keep a diary of their likes and dislikes to pass on when they leave us. Lancashire German Shepherd Rescue is a WARTON (Nr Preston) based non profit making company dedicated to the rescue, short term fostering and long term re-homing of German Shepherds Dogs. Unwanted GSD's are found new homes through our placement scheme which carefully matches up rescued Shepherds with their potential new owners. Owners new and old are provided with any support and guidance they may need. All donations made whether on adoption, transfer or by our kindhearted supporters, goes directly to the welfare of the dogs. It pays for food, vet bills, herbal remedies, equipment, grooming etc. The rescue is run by a dedicated team of people who truly love German Shepherds giving their time and devotion to the welfare of this wonderful breed. The dogs that come to us are fostered by our volunteers in their own homes. At present we cover the whole of Lancashire working alongside other organisations. Dogs come to us for various reasons. Not only are there the kind of cruelty cases we all hear about in the media, but there are also less obvious causes such as relationship breakdowns, changing work commitments, having to move to accommodation unsuitable for dogs, owners passing away - the list is endless. Its a pity that so few of the many people who want a puppy never consider the "Golden Oldies" but whatever the reason that leads to a dog coming to us we try to establish a successful outcome for both GSD and its new owner. The picture shows Tammy, Fitz and Jade the 3 dogs who inspired the rescue. All are now at the Rainbow Bridge but will never be forgotten. The Rescue continues in their memory. Lancashire German Shepherd Rescue registered in England and Wales. Registration Number 4752718. A Non-profit making Company Limited by Guarantee.

DIAL-A-DOG-WASH I found the dog wash card at our local vet and I’m glad we did. I am often there with running the Rescue and get very badly treated matted and dirty German Shepherds very much in need of a bath and groom. William a large black long coat GSD was very dirty and matted not to mention lots of fur balls and needed a real tender caring and understanding person to wash him, so I rang DIAL-A-DOG-WASH and spoke to Sue Alexander from Blackpool. Not only does Sue like dogs she loves GSDs. Her dedication to William was very reassuring and her understanding of his needs was very professional, she knew what was required and took her time with him giving him a wonderful bath and cut. William was like a new dog. A wonderful shiny knot free coat. I knew William liked her as he showered Sue with lots of kisses. I have no hesitation in using Sue again for any of my GSDs or even our little monster Yorkie. I strongly recommend her. As you can see we brought Sue back again when Big Boy Fitz needed a bath. He can't climb the stairs anymore and is far too heavy to carry up and lift over the side of the tub. Sue's van is specially kitted out with a big step in bath and plenty of room to stretch out to be dried with lots of towels and the blow drier. Although we used our ramp for Fitz the side of the van is quite low for easy access too. Please give Sue a call if your dog needs a bit of pampering or tried to see how deep the local pond is. Tel: 01253 731241- Mob: 07734460700 DOG WELFARE FACT SHEET PRODUCED BY PRESTON CITY COUNCIL WITH CHILDREN IN MIND

FLYBALL, AGILITY & HAVING FUN How does the thought of flyball and agility take you? Does your dog enjoy running and playing and the challenge to learn new things. Is he seeming to get a little bored with the usual walks? Maybe he wants something to stretch his mind and his body? Its not just for the GSD, all dogs are welcome. You may think your dog isn't "up for it" but read Shane's story below and think again: Shane, pictured here in his favourite activity is a Rescued German Shepherd. He came to us under a year old and with all his life in front of him with the right home. True, he was very much in need of training as it was clear that this had been lacking throughout his young life. We had a gentleman travel the length of the country for him who fell in love with him and assured us he had trained several young dogs and was quite happy to take on the challenge. He returned Shane only a couple of weeks later, having taken him to a behaviourist as he couldn’t do anything with him. The Behaviourists advice? "He's totally untrainable - put him to sleep”. Shane was brought back to us - fortunately our contract said he must do that and not pts without consulting us first. We knew someone who would love this lad, Bill, who had sadly lost his beloved girl a day earlier whom he had fought so hard and for so long to keep well. We told him of Shane's story then took him to see him and all the family. They fell in love with him instantly. Bill's wife Joan said they had to treat him like a new born puppy as he just didn’t know anything because he had never been taught. Working with him this way he soon learned the basics and was keen to learn more. He's a very clever dog. The photo shows him in action and if you want to know more about agility please contact Bill Hodgson at hodgson@talktalk.net or ring 01772 742621. PADS classes are run for enjoyment for you and your dog. It's the taking part and having fun that counts, not winning at all costs. If you are too far out of the area he will try to give you a contact closer to home. AGILITY DEMOS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER New season for Agility Demos is now with us and here are details of the next shows NO MORE DATES AT THE MOMENT WATCH THIS SPACE!! Shane will as usual be showing off his talents at the shows. If you would like to see him in action contact Bill above for more info or Mark Calvert on 01942 204884.

CHOOSE YOUR BEHAVIOURIST CAREFULLY A good one, one interested in helping you and your dog, will not ask for thousands of pounds up front with a promise of telephone back up for the next 12 months! Whose telephone bill are the lengthy calls being added to? From a telephone call how can they tell what may be going wrong if things aren’t progressing as you hoped or in fact where you are going wrong - you may think you are doing exactly what you were advised to do but is your body language wrong? Is your tone wrong? They can't tell unless they see you in action. The ones we would recommend are willing to give free advice initially over the phone once you have described the problem THEN if this doesn’t help will come out to your home, for a fee of course, but for that session only, and then work on a plan of action from there. Additional sessions arranged as and when necessary depending on your progress, and a willingness to answer your query (during reasonable hours of course) without spending money up front for advice you may never need., and explained in terms that are easy to understand. A major point to consider also is whether the behaviourist you are thinking of using has experience of your breed. There are standard methods for behaviour modification of course which are effective across breeds but "specifics" too for your breed. In some cases a matter of size can be relevant to the techniques used, what is appropriate for a Yorkie may not be practical for a German Shepherd and vice versa. There may also be traits associated with your breed which are best dealt with by tried and tested methods for the breed. We are not assuming all dogs of a breed are out of the same mould but that a range of behaviours, good or bad, may be common. This article was instigated by us having brought to us a dog with a specific problem whose owners HAD paid thousands of pounds up front. They were provided with a barely legible hand written assessment and action plan backed up by printed guides for getting a dog used to a muzzle, clicker training, the reward system of conditioning - all of which could be had for free from one of the many good sites on the internet, and a stimulus-response reinforcement diagram whose place lies firmly in a canine psychology text book. It may be accurate but of no use to the average owner who just wants examples of what to do (and why) in each instance of the appearance of the behaviour they are concerned with changing. We as a GSD rescue see all too often people whose dog could have been better helped by a behaviourist, as recommended, with the knowledge of the GSDS needs. We do not intend to upset those behaviourists who genuinely do care about the people and their beloved dogs. We care! And don't forget, no matter how well qualified, if they aren't able to put across the remedies/possible solutions in terms you can understand they then this is not going to be any help at all. Ask them to explain in plain English rather than psychology terms Amongst trainers we recommend are Mark Calvert, mentioned earlier and Guy Richardson - link to website given below. WEST LANCS CANINE CENTRE

REUNITED Have you ever found that your dog has gone missing? Ben's owner did but fortunately for them both he was microchipped and they were reunited within a couple of days. He was found straying on New Year's Day. He was brought to us today looking sad, forlorn dirty and hungry. We scanned him and found that the lad had a microchip and the details led us to his Dad. So please if your dog isn't chipped make sure you have it done as soon as you can. Its only like having a vaccination and can be the difference between you being reunited with you pal or never seeing him/her again. Dog tags can get lost or the details worn off but a microchip is there for life. And don't forget to update your address and contact number if you move - a microchip is only as useful as the information on record!! DON'T THINK ABOUT IT - DO IT