PetStyle

Brando is a 9 year old male GSP. He is being surrendered by his owner because their daughter has developed allergies. Brando is housetrained and is wonderful with the children in the home. Brando does well with other dogs who have good manners. He has attended daycare and has never had any reports of bad behavior. Brando is exceptionally gentle with our two small children (ages 3 and 1). Occasionally he gets excited (ie. feeding time, returning home) and will knock a small child over if he bumps into them. He usually barks at strangers in the house until he's allowed to be introduced to them. Once he's sniffed them, he generally ignores them. Brando has attended obedience class so is well behaved. After a significant amount of practice, Brando walks well on a lead with some exceptions. In certain situations (ie. he doesn't have a steadfast pattern) he is very reactive to other dogs and strangers. Basically he is leash reactive. He doesn't currently have a yard. However, we do have a deck and fenced brick patio. Brando has never attempted to escape. He really enjoys laying out in the sun. However, he will bark if he sees people or animals outside. A good watchdog. When Brando is left alone in the house we always put the trash and dog food away. Most of the time he just sleeps. However, he will get into things if there is food out or if you leave in a hurry (he gets anxious). We think he'd do best in a home with another dog as he loves the company of another animal. He does like to have a bone to chew on while we're gone. Brando loves to be outside and near his family. Brando was crated for a period a year ago, and did fine. He'll need to be crate trained again if a new owner wants to crate him. Currently Brando fears being crated, alone, or bathed. He also gets anxious during thunderstorms and if our children are being really loud and roudy. Since he does fine uncrated, we would recommend a new owner do that. When Brando is fearful, he whines, gets skittish, and/or paces. He has been destructive a few times when alone in the house, but only with random objects and food, not furniture, wood, or carpet. He is also very persistent about wanting to check on our children if there is a thunderstorm in the evening and they are in bed. Brando sleeps on a dog pillow at the foot of our bed. Brando is typically a velcro dog during the day, but will sometimes go off on his own to sleep on the couch. Brando is returning to rescue because his current family's youngest child was diagnosed in early January with several environmental allergies as well as an allergy to dogs and cats. The allergies have been getting progressively worse since October of 2009. Keeping the dogs out of the rooms their daughter spends a significant amount of time in doesn't work for Brando's (or their other dog) or the way they live with their pets. It's just not fair to constantly banish them to the other room away from their family. Brando would do best in a calm household with another dog (preferably a senior). He is so wonderful with children. He would appreciate someone who is home often (ie. stay-at-home parent, work from home, or work opposite shifts). He loves to be outside, even in the snow. Brando is an excellent companion and makes a wonderful family member. He asks for very little and gives a great deal in return. Everyone who has met him comments on how sweet he is. Brando is currently in Bethesda, MD.