~~It has been almost two weeks since Owen arrived and this big, two year old boy is doing terrific! He has already expanded his vocabulary and knows what "time to eat" means. He currently eats 3X a day, dry and canned food mixed. He stands by the kitchen island with the other two dogs and waits patiently for his food to be prepared. That does not mean he won't try to sneak something off the counter if you leave it unattended, though. He has put on some weight and is filling out nicely. His tail is long and bushy and when he poses he is so beautiful. Owen seems to be completely housebroken. Other than the first day, we have not had any accidents in the house and never in his crate. In the morning we open the crate and tell him its “time to go out” and he runs to the sliding glass door. We have a large fenced in yard and he will willingly go out and do his business. In the evening we go for a walk and he responds to seeing the leash. We have a 20 foot heavy duty, retractable leash and he walks nicely at your side or will explore if you give him the length. We also have a dog door and he has mastered that as well. He will go in and out just to sniff the plants on the porch then come back in, just because he can. Owen is crate trained. He likes his crate: it's a safety zone for him. He goes in and out all day and goes in willingly at night. He has a favorite squeaky dragon and he takes that in with him sometimes. He was crated every night for the first week, but this week we allowed him to sleep outside the crate with no accidents or destructive behavior. Owen adores his people, and is a typical velcro GSD. He will be in whatever room you are in. I work from home several days a week and he sleeps on the rug next to my desk. In the evening he is in the family room with all of us including the 12 year old basset and 3 year old bloodhound. He likes to play and rough houses with my grandson. He does not want to play with the other dogs, but they are not much into that so it may just be lack of opportunity. He will run after a ball and bring it back to you. He also likes to play his version of tug-o-war with the dragon. He is a very gentle dog with people. He likes to be petted, gives doggie kisses and will lay quietly unless you ask him to play. He is learning to be “nice” when he takes a treat and that “no” means stop doing something that is unacceptable. He loves to roll and play with my grandson, but is large and can be a little rough. For this reason we recommend a home with older children only. He is truly a diamond in the rough and with a little time and consistency, he will make a great family dog. Owen needs to be neutered and complete his heartworm treatment before he will be available for adoption - around the end of August. If you are interested in Owen, please reach out to your adoption coordinator. If you do not have an adoption coordinator, please fill out an adoption application at https://freedomgermanshepherdrescue.org He is being fostered near Wilmington.