Adopted MAGSR Dogs

Dear people of the Mid-Atlantic area, this is MAGSR’s lovable house-wolf, Gunner. Okay, I am not a wolf, I just play one on TV. I am actually an ENORMOUS puppy. You should see my paws, humongous. I have been living the good life with my foster family. They have middle school aged kids and two other shepherds. I really like to play with my fellow dogs and I am not happy when they play right outside my crate and I cannot join in. I don’t mind being in the crate when other people are not around. I am in there all time right now, unless I am being walked, because I am not to be trusted yet. Or so they say. Like most Belgian Malinois, I am extremely smart and quite handsome. My foster sister cannot keep her paws off of me. I will require training from an experienced trainer and a household of people who are all capable of teaching me that I am not the boss. Otherwise, I will be happy to establish myself as the boss and that does not ever go well. (You should let me order as many pizzas as I want to, though). I like my resident children and will warm up to strangers after a careful introduction. I am driven to protect the ones that I love and I will require a lot of guidance to make good choices about how to conduct myself. That is why I can only be adopted by people with experience with dogs like me and I would not be a good fit for a family where one person is committed to training me and the other person wants a couch potato. Otherwise, when my leader is away I might be tempted to turn your couch into an origami potato. I very much like walks and I went for a hike near the Gun Powder River. I REALLY wanted to jump in and swim. I love balls and I caught a bird in my mouth while it was flying by. I dropped it when I was told to; but my foster mom said that it didn’t do the bird any favors. I would definitely like to live with a family that has other dogs and birds. But maybe your birds would not like me. I am housebroken and walk nicely on a leash when someone is consistent in requiring that I do so. My biggest challenge is that nobody ever taught me not to use my mouth as a tool on people. When my foster family tries to put a leash on me, I try to grab their hands and help. I do this too when they are adjusting my collar. They don’t like this at all but I think it is a fun game. It is important for me to be crated while collars and leashes are being put on me that way if I get too excited and start with my malligator routine the door gets shut and I have to settle down. Then they try again. I have not been snappy about food or toys in my foster home and don’t seem concerned about sharing a water bowl. But that is never a promise that I wouldn’t act differently elsewhere. If you are looking for a stunningly handsome puppy who is going to be quite large and even more handsome when I grow into my ears, then you should ask to meet me. Taking me to an experienced trainer is extremely important as are setting limits and following them 100% of the time. I am a very smart boy and if you show me a loophole in your rules, I will jump through it. But if you are consistent and positive in training me, we could live our best lives together. Seriously, I’m not kidding about the pizza. , Gunner is doing great in his new foster home! Gunner is now attending weekly training classes to learn obedience and how to be a good canine friend. Gunner is a high drive GSD/Mal mix that needs consistent management by a very experienced handler. Gunner would do best being placed in a home with humans who have had prior Belgian Mal or high drive working GSD experience. Gunner has a lot of energy and needs a handler who will work with him every day to burn his energy. Gunner has great focus and ball drive – he’s extremely attentive to his handler. He’s even climbed a tree in his foster home. Gunner is so smart that he knows how to use his paws to grab someone’s ankles and stop them. Gunner has excellent working potential and would be well suited for a working position or a home situation that has the structure of a dog in a working position. If you have the necessary experience and can offer the perfect environment for what Gunner needs, please ask to meet him.

Hi everyone, meet Lacy! Lacy is super sweet with humans and children.  She is almost six years old, knows some basic commands, and loves to fetch!  She also likes to play soccer, chew on Nylabones and be with her people.  She does have a skin allergy that requires daily medicine.  Lacy is on a weight management plan so she can slim down a few pounds (summer is coming and she really wants a two piece swimsuit).  Lacy is scared of bicycles and golf carts. She is housebroken and crate trained. If you are looking for a furry co worker to rest in a dog bed while you work, play some low key fetch on breaks, go for a short stroll after work or on lunch break, Lacy is the dog for you!!!  Lacy has a propensity to resource guard and protect from other dogs (unsure about cats) so she would be best as an only dog.  If you have any questions let me know! , Lacy has settled in well at her foster home.  She is a pro at keeping all wild creatures out of the backyard.  Her soccer skills are something to behold.  Her leash walking skills are coming along nicely. And all her beautiful hair has grown back.   She does need a daily pill for her skin condition and most likely will need to remain on the pill for the rest of her life.  She is a wonderful house guest and always lets me know when something unusual is at the front door.  She is not fond of thunder storms or bicycles.  She mostly ignores other dogs while out on walks, unless they try to approach.  She doesn't get on furniture and takes treats nicely.  And she is a favorite at the vets office.  If you are looking for a more older mature lady, who will make a great companion Lacy would be a wonderful addition to your family. , Update 23 November 2022: Lacy has been in the rescue for over a year and is really hoping to find a family she can call her own this holiday season.   Are you looking for a dog that is already housebroken, knows some basic obedience and is happy to lounge or play fetch in the yard ?! If so, Lacy is the girl for you!  Lacy is like a fine wine; she only gets better with age and she absolutely adores her humans. Lacy has 3 main loves: people, jolly balls, food and marrow bones, in that order.  Lacy had a rough past as she's been neglected and abandoned by the ones who were entrusted to provide her a loving home but she is putting that behind her and ready to start fresh.  Lacy is intelligent, inquisitive, lovable, and protective.  As is her true nature she is a herder and wants everyone and everything to be corralled, to include cyclists as she is upset when they pass her by but will gladly jog next to or in front of them.   She is great at keeping her humans on a schedule and will vocally let you know if you are late for a feeding or letting her outside.  She has blossomed into a beautiful shepherd with a beautiful coat with proper nutrition, medication, and TLC.  Lacy would prefer to be the only dog in the household.  Lacy would enjoy a family to show her love, attention, structure and patience.  She is such a good girl who has a lot of love to give. If Lacy sounds like a good fit for you, ask to meet her today!  

We've gotten to know Bellair a bit more since she's been with us.  What a pleasure this lady is to work with; it is apparent that she likes to work.  She seems to know so many commands but quietly tests out the handler as she works.  Once she figures out that you mean business, she handles beautifully.  Bellair is clearly food motivated and doesn't require much tension on the leash when a redirect is needed.  She corrects quickly and responds nicely when given an activity.  She loves balls, and will play fetch, then carry the ball around with her.  She has excellent behavior at the vet, she is even good about the thermometer.  She is easy to leash up, jumps into the car readily and is a very good car rider.  We're also told she's quite cuddly, could you see yourself cuddling with Bellair? , Bellair is enjoying life in her foster home. She has great house manners, is housebroken, and crate trained. She loves, loves, loves squeaky toys, treat-filled kongs and daily walks. She has started group obedience training with her foster mom and is learning that squirrels, rabbits, dogs, and cars don’t need to be chased while walking. Her new family will need to continue training, as Bellair has a high drive and will need a strong leader to help her become a good canine citizen. If Bellair sounds like she coudl be a good fit for your family, ask to meet her - she's a sweet lovable gem.

The GA 38 arrived in MAGSR’s care in early/mid January 2019 and over the past two months, their transformation has been nothing short of amazing. These 38 broken souls knew nothing but a life of filth, hunger, and abuse. Their eyes were filled with the look of fear, emptiness and uncertainty. They cowered in the corners of their runs and tried to be as far away from humans as possible and MAGSR volunteers knew they had quite a challenge ahead to right the wrongs of their past prior to arriving in MAGSR's care. MAGSR volunteers stepped up & took on the challenge head on. And now, two months later, through the endless work of dedicated volunteers that have selflessly given their time, patience and love, these beautiful creatures have begun to meet us with tail wags, lean-ins as we walk with them, and most importantly, where once there was emptiness and fear in their eyes, it’s clear those memories have been replaced with hope and even a bit of curiosity. Their wounds have healed, their bellies are full and they have learned that all humans aren’t so bad. They are greeting us at the front of their kennel runs now eager for treats and walks. All of them have learned to walk on a leash and we are beginning some basic obedience with them such as "sit", "heel" and “watch me.” They are now used to being handled regularly for normal things such as baths, getting their weights taken, and taking their monthly preventatives. Best of all, volunteers are seeing their unique personalities and social side come out with other dogs. Just a few months ago, they were all fighting for the same food and water and ability to stay alive but today, many have completely let down their guard and are comfortable enough to engage in play and/or positively interact with other dogs. All  of these dogs have shown us how intelligent and resilient they are and have made significant strides in their road of rehabilitation. They are ready for the next chapter of their journey and we hope you may be part of  their story. , Tayson has been in a home for the first time in her life for a week now. She is very well behaved in her sturdy, heavy duty crate (she didn’t like the wire crates at all, and easily escaped from them). She is calm and steady in the crate, and has had no accidents in it. Crate training is the first step towards housebreaking, and Tayson seems to be crate-trained at this point. After a week, she is comfortable around her foster mom, but still nervous and fearful when others are around. She gets along well with the resident older female GSD, and seems to take comfort from having another dog nearby. Tayson is walking well on a leash, although she will pull when fearful and trying to move away from something she doesn’t understand or isn’t familiar with; most of the time, however, she is happy to walk along side her foster mom on a loose metal leash. She prefers to eat inside of her crate, especially when no one is watching. She’s had so many new experiences in her first week in a home, and has handled all of them so well and with grace. She is a kind sweet dog who wants to be with people, but is still fearful of too much stimulus and contact at one time. As Tayson gains in confidence and comfort, we are certain that she will continue to make progress, learning to trust and bond with her humans. Stay tuned for future updates of Tayson’s journey to becoming a wonderful future family member. If she sounds like a fit for your family, ask to meet her. , After a skittish first few weeks, Tayson’s progress learning how to be a dog in a house is accelerating. She is out of her crate and interacting with her foster parents for long stretches of time now. She is becoming the playful spirit we always knew existed, but was hidden for far too long by her previous unfortunate circumstances. Tayson would learn from and do best in a home with a confident dog to help show her the way forward. Tayson walks well on her leash (except for the exciting moments when deer go running away), and is now curious and interested in everything on the farm. We are starting to take trips off the farm to increase her exposure to new sights, which is both interesting and stressful for her, but necessary. She continues to be accident-free inside the house, and is very good about relieving herself outside on her walks. She is one of the sweetest fosters I have ever had, very quiet, and just incredibly great to have around. If you would like to watch this girl emerge from her shell into being a wonderful family dog, please ask to meet Tayson. She is truly ready to start bonding with you in her forever home. , Sweet Tayson, Pacin’ Tayson, Brown-eyed Tayson, Little Miss Tayson, Sweet Pea, or Tasey, as she has affectionately come to be known by her foster parents, where she has been staying for several months now – her foster parents are happy to report that Tayson now knows how to wag her tail! While still sometimes quiet and nervous, Tayson has decided that her favorite place to be is not always in her crate anymore. She enjoys curiously exploring the first floor of the house and absolutely adores being outside in the backyard on her long lead! She is still content to sleep in her crate and greets her foster mom in the morning with a wagging tail and now knows what the word “outside” means! Tayson will happily spend hours outside if she can, rolling in the grass and dirt (no prissy manners here!) and absolutely loves to play chase with her foster brother. She will sneak up behind him and nip at his tail if he’s not paying enough attention to her. While we’re getting better at recall, she still sometimes will give you a look that says “please, just 5 more minutes!” before she will come to go back inside the house, but we try to give her plenty of praise and pets when she does. Tayson has spent a full workday in her sturdy crate with no problem but is also a great companion for anyone who is home during most of the day as well. While working from home during quarantine, her foster mom reported Tayson would spend most of her day on a dog bed next to her and a spot where she could look out the window. Speaking of, a comfy dog bed is an absolute must for this sweet girl. After everything she has been through, Tayson has decided she likes comfortable things such as couches and dog beds to lie on whenever she can! Tayson is still nervous around strangers and is more comfortable around women at the moment - she will pace back and forth around people she does not know and noises that she is not expecting, although she does fine with passing cars, the tv and things like the microwave and refrigerator. She will still go to her crate when she needs to find a “safe space” to hang out and doesn’t make much noise except for an occasional soft cry when she thinks there’s something going on that she’s missing out on. Tayson has only barked about twice since being in her foster home and both times were while she was playing outside. Tayson is not too interested in stuffed toys but does enjoy chewing on a nylabone in the privacy of her crate, or playing with a rope toy outside and will gently take treats from her foster mom’s hand, but again preferably when she’s in her crate. Tayson takes some time to warm up and decide to trust after her rough start to life, but she is a very sweet girl and respectful guest. Tayson has the most adorable smiles and personality quirks! She will do great with someone in a quiet household who has time and patience to get to know and bond with this special girl, and definitely another canine friend for her to play with. If Tayson sounds like she may be a fit for your home, please ask to meet her.

When Buzz entered into his foster home, it was very apparent that prior to his arrival at MAGSR he had not experienced the life, luxuries, or kindness that he clearly deserves. His body told the story of limited food, health care, and experience within a loving household. Although having clearly survived some challenging circumstances, Buzz walked into his foster home with a happy-go-lucky attitude. He has an overall enthusiasm and curiosity for what life has to offer. With so much to learn and so many new experiences to partake in, Buzz has been very busy over the last few months.  He started with the basics, crate training and housebreaking, which he has mastered at this time. He loves to be outside and knows that this is where his "business" needs to be handled. Then, it was onto pack introductions with the resident senior dogs. Buzz loves the company of other dogs but needed to learn that senior dogs are not always as playful as younger pups. Having learned what is and is not tolerated by the resident dogs, Buzz seems to have found a good balance within his foster pack and does well with a few reminders from his fur siblings from time to time. More recently, Buzz has started a regular regiment of daily training. He is highly food motivated and seems to be excelling with sit, down, wait, watch, and come. As he masters these commands, he will be ready to learn additional commands particularly, if food is involved. In his free time, Buzz has been learning that tough toys and bones are great to play with, that a daily run and a long walk or two helps him burn energy, and that head rubs really are the best type of affection.  Buzz is an amazing pup and will be a great match for an experienced household. Although he is not aggressive with children, he does not realize that his size and energy can be too much for little people. He would be better suited for a home without children; this will allow him to further develop into a good canine citizen without the distraction of little people. If Buzz sounds like a good match for your household, ask to meet him today.  , Hello!  I’m Buzz and I’ve been told that you want to hear about my latest adventures. I love exploring new places and learning new things. Attending training classes with my foster mom has been great. This week, the trainer gave me compliments for being patient and calm around other dogs and people and a positive role model in class. That made my foster mom proud. We’ve been practicing every day. I’ve been told that I am excellent with environmental distractions. I’m a teenage pup with occasional mischief and testing, but I’m well on the way to becoming a canine gentleman. I’m a fan of car rides, especially when they take me to fun new places, and I insist on going everywhere with my humans. Hardware stores are cool, farmers markets are easy, meeting people on our walks is fun, parks for hiking are the best. Pet stores? Well, I don’t know how they expect any shepherd to stay calm around all the exciting food, treats and toys. I like food – A LOT!  Food puzzles and food-filled chew toys make my day. Frozen food treats are amazing on a hot afternoon. Meal time is the biggest event of every day and I am learning a bit more focus with each dish. Sometimes, I like to test what delicious things may be around me. They say that it’s good to stop and smell the flowers. My preference is to stop and eat the flowers, but I am learning that that’s not a good way to earn praise. The neighbor’s horse is my new friend and I enjoy meeting all the neighbors. A few of them are my buddies now and I give them kisses. Being the center of attention is great, but I think I miss having other dogs to play with. My foster mom started calling me Love Buzz because I like to snuggle and I don’t leave her side. I’ve been trying to convince her that there is absolutely no issue with an 80 lb. lap dog. She’s not convinced yet, but I will keep trying. While I wait for my fur-ever home, I will continue to soak in my adventures and have a good time. Let MAGSR know if you would like to meet me.