Sunny Shepherd Richmond, BC

**Due to COVID-19, all meet and greets will be by appointment only. Please call us at 604-275-2036 to set up an appointment.**

Sunny is currently in a foster home while he waits for his furever home - check out his Instagram page @sunny_gsd_adoptme. Here are some things his foster mom has to say:

"“Sunny is truly a sweet and intelligent boy, with a bit of a naughty streak – he is like a 10-year-old boy at times! So far, we are doing great in the house. The reactivity over toys and food has lessened and I'm assuming in a few weeks even more so. He also is hanging out with two small dogs with no issue. He knows 'no' and the more gentle I am, the better he responds. I have been doing ring toy training every day in my yard, as it is huge.”

"He is highly anxious when seeing other other dogs on walks, it can be reactive but moreover just high stress, high anxiety. It's quite sad as no ball nor treat helps. If another dog sniffs my dog even in a friendly way, he goes into a state."

"He's very good with structure for certain."

PERSONALITY: Sunny is an extremely smart (sometimes too smart) and goofy boy. He has a big, bold and sassy personality and almost always figures out ways of avoiding what he doesn't enjoy. At the same time, he's a very loving and sweet boy who loves playing with balls and getting cuddles. We have come to learn that Sunny is not always a perfect pup. He requires a home with dog experience (preferably Shepherd experience) and a calm/confident handler who will set up structure and boundaries for Sunny. We have come to find out that Sunny absolutely thrives off of structure. Sunny's new home will also need to be dedicated to continuing Sunny's training and socialization.

Sunny has been known to have temper tantrums and get very mouthy. He is very dramatic, vocal and large which in the past has scared people, allowing Sunny to get his way. Because of this Sunny thinks this naughty behaviour will always work for him and he will get what he wants. Therefore, we have been working hard on his training and showing him that his temper tantrums don't phase us and that he will still need to complete the task. Overall, he has made big improvements since being coming back to RAPS, and if kept on the same path, will continue to do so.

Classic to German Shepherds, Sunny can get anxious and barky because he loves being around people, so a single home with a large yard would be great for him. Sunny needs a home with no small animals. He could potentially live with a small dog, as he is living with a small dog in his foster home currently. He also needs a home with no small children - 16 years and older would only please.

Training him out of resource guarding was a hit and miss while he was at the Shelter. There were some objects that he can be trained out of guarding, but at the same time there were some where he just wouldn't give them up. But in his foster home his resource guarding is pretty much a non issue. His foster mom tried the flooding technique where she flooded him with toys and now doesn't guard them.

Someone willing to accept Sunny's faults would be his dream human, and in return we are sure that they'll be heavily rewarded with all of Sunny's good qualities.

If Sunny sounds like the guy for you and you are willing to take on a leadership role and set him up for success please call the Shelter to set up a meet and greet appointment.

LIKES: Playing and then lounging.

DISLIKES: Being cooped up.

AGE: About 6 1/2 years old.

If you are interested in Sunny, you can call our Adoption Centre at 604-275-2036, or email us at info@rapsbc.com to book a Meet & Greet.