"We recently bought a German Shepherd - just a year and a half old. The lady I purchased him from (listed on Charlotte.com) was a breeder of Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds. She wanted to begin a German Line, and so bought Sampson from a pair of elderly laides who said he was too much for them.

Well, we took Sampson home - but we already have a Border Collie and a Cat. We were unsure how it was going to work out. He's a VERY sweet boy, mostly housebroken and is showing signs of previous training. He knows Sit, Down and walks on a leash like a gentleman. He was a bolter, would FLY out the door anytime it opened, so I've worked with him on that and he now is pretty wary of the door and minds when I say "wait".

Even though he is a sweetheart and very gentle, he TERRIFIES my two younger children (they are 10 and 9). They don't like him and my daughter is so scared of him that he barks at her. It's not his fault, he's just reacting to her energy. He also isn't a good match with our Cat, who hasn't come out of the closet in days. That also isn't his fault, as he just wants to chase him - his natural prey drive. He shows NO AGGRESSION AT ALL. To us, or the Cat or our other dog. He's a perfect boy.

We have the best intentions for Sampson -- I've had him vet checked, neutered (at a cost to me of $375) and put on Canine Advantage. We also feed him Innova which isn't just any old Dog Food. But I don't think we can keep him - I honestly don't think he's suited for a house with children or cats. He isn't aggressive, but he barks at my children in the house at almost every opportunity. He is PERFECT with me and my husband and older son (14).

Please contact me if you can help us - I really don't want to have to resort to the Humane Society or Animal Control :/



J. Bailey
runecaster(at)aequinox(dot)com - Charlotte, NC"