Darby

Here are some important things for my new family to know about me:

1) I LOVE outdoor adventures.

2) I love to play fetch, swim and run and explore the woods.

3) I’m well trained and am responsive to obedience commands both on and off leash.

4) I need to be in a family without young children because I can be reactive with them.

5) I’m pretty independent so I do like my own space sometimes, especially after a long day.

6) But I’m also a cuddle bug and love a good belly rub and for my ears to be scratched.

I’m Darby, a lovely 3-year-old purebred, female GSP. At 50 lbs, sI am a little small for my breed, but I have a big personality! My mom and dad have had me since I was just 12 weeks old and we have had so many incredible adventures together. With all that adventuring came the need for some really fun and consistent training, I LOVE to train and learn. We did both obedience and behavioral training. My dad says, “she passed her behavioral training in a 4-week session where she was around other dogs and even was a lead show dog for trainings while she was there because she was doing so well.” I love to swim, run around outside, go on long runs with my dad, play fetch (my favorite is with a frisbee) or otherwise just hang out with my dad and mom cause I am a Velcro dog. I am very loving and loyal, but I also like my space and freedom which my mom and dad can always give me on adventures since I am so well trained and my recall is so good!

When my dad and mom are away from the house for just a couple of hours, I go into my crate but if it’s for longer than that,I get to stay in the guest bedroom so I have a lot more room to move around. I also sleep in one of those two places. I kind of prefer to be on my own for sleeping. I’m not very comfortable in large, enclosed spaces by myself so the crate or bedroom is great for me. I’m completely housebroken so I never have accidents in the house. Because I have quite a bit of training, both from my dad and mom as well as professionally, I respond well to a lot of commands: sit, stay, come, down, off, heal, place, and off-leash confidence which allows me to be trusted in open spaces when camping and backpacking.

I am fine being around adults and adult children. I can be a little bit anxious which has always been okay, but with that anxiety comes a fear of small children. I am actually afraid of them but I have never gone after a small child or bitten or harmed a child in any way. But I don’t think I should be with young children because I can be reactive when they approach me. I do bark at them and this scares most of them. As much as my dad and mom love me and because of my reaction to little ones, they feel I should probably be in a home without little kids so they are looking to find a new home without children for me.

I currently live with another older dog and most of the time we are great together but I think I would like to have my own space or a large enough space where I can do my own thing or be around a dog that likes to do their own thing as well. But my mom and dad know that when there are bones and food for us, it’s a good idea for us to enjoy them separately. I have realized that I do sometimes like my space so when other dogs run up to me I often react. I have never hurt another dog but occasionallyI can be a bit too reactive at the older dog living with us for my mom and dad’s liking. I think being in a narrow or small space (even in the back of a car) sometimes feels too confining for mewhen there is another dog with me, otherwise I absolutely love car rides and want you to take me with you wherever you go!That also goes for being with a bunch of dogs, all on leashes, because it feels like we are all too close and I have no way of escaping. 99% of the time when I have my freedom of space, I’m OK with other dogs other than puppies and small dogs. I don’t seek confrontation, but I just like to be able to explore on my own or with my humans. Even though I have lived most of my life with other dogs in the house I do really like my own space and stuff. I do know, however, that I would not be good with cats because I will chase them.

I’m a GSP pup with a lot of energy who loves action and fetch. I’m a master at fetch with any toy. I love frisbees and my dad says I could be a professional frisbee dog, no doubt. I love water! I can swim for hours and love fetch in the water, too. I jump off docks, rocks, and have even caught a fish! Yes, I have! I also love to hide and seek as well. I love camping and running around in the woods, backpacking and exploring nature. I love chasing birds and bunnies (I especially like bunnies). And I have actually caught a bird - yes, I have! But it was only a matter of time so I’m happy my hard work paid off!I also enjoy a long nap during the day and especially love a good bed or sofa with a window. I love to look out the window and watch the world, so full of adventure. On camping trips, I like sleeping in the car while my dad sleeps in the tent. I know, that’s kind of weird but, hey, I am an independent girl!

Dad says I am super smart. I learn incredibly quickly and am so eager to do so. I am such a happy girl and I would love to be with a family that loves outdoor adventures like I do. Being off leash is such a great way for me to do so many things that I love. But I also love being with my people. My dad says I am not an aggressive dog at all but an absolute sweetheart who just loves to be with her people. I’m just an independent little girl who likes her space except when I want to be with my mom and dad. Then I’m affectionate and am a cuddly love bug who loves belly rubs and to be picked up like a big ol’ baby! Also, did I mention that I love post-adventure McDonald’s Fries?! They are my favorite!