If you are interested in making Ranger part of your family, please contact us at foster@good-sit.com with RANGER in the subject line. You can stay up to date on how Ranger is doing on the Good Sit Facebook Page’s special album or follow him on his own instagram page, Go For Ranger.
Meet Ranger Fagan! He’s had quite the 2023. At the beginning of the year, his dad went into the hospital feeling under the weather, and unfortunately was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and has recently passed away. Ranger was set up for temporary care with their neighbors, and for two weeks he spent time in an outdoor run. He managed to dash out the door during one of their visits, and he was picked up by animal control.
Ranger’s relatives have entrusted Steph at Good Sit to care for Ranger. She was originally contacted by a friend when Ranger had his day out at the park, and she helped animal control wrangle him. The ACO and Steph exchanged contact information, and that’s how we got to where we are today! His dad’s relatives are unable to take him due to being highly allergic. They tried! But when your throat starts closing up from petting a dog, it’s not a good fit.
Ranger is currently living and training with Steph, and he’s adjusting to being back in a home without the clanging of the shelter or the elements of the backyard run, and we have to say, he’s adjusted to sleeping on the couch without a problem. He loves playing with his foster sister, another German Shepherd mix, and going on daily adventures to the dog park or hike, with leashed walks here and there.
Ranger is working on trusting humans touching him. Like a good German Shepherd, he is curious but wary of strangers and prefers to approach on his own time. It took him only a day to trust Steph to pet him, and now he snores with his head on her lap while she watches TV only a few days later. Ranger will need to continue training with a reward-based, force free methodology as he is a sensitive guy.
This guy will excel in a home that already has a dog! He is comfortable sharing indoor space with female dogs, and he is able to play outside with dogs of all sexes. He will also be okay as an only dog in a home. We are crate and muzzle training him to help him be his best wherever he lives next.
Ranger loves to move and enjoys doing things with his dog friends and human family, and he will need an active family that wants to go on adventures like running, hiking, or taking nice long sniffy walks in his neighborhood so he gets to use his brain each day. Your family will have the support of Steph for your transition with your new family member.
Due to Ranger’s sensitivity with space and touching, homes with older children or no kids at all are preferred. When he is reached for, Ranger will duck and walk away, and we want his family members to be old enough to respect him leaving the situation. Ranger cannot currently live with cats or male dogs, and his family members having previous experience with “shepherd traits” will be a bonus. Ranger is like a lighter version of a full German Shepherd or similar breed and will make for a great introductory buddy to dog sports like agility and Fast Cat. If you are new to guardy breeds, we can explain what “being shepherdy” means!
If you are interested in making Ranger part of your family, please contact us at foster@good-sit.com with RANGER in the subject line.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How old is Ranger? He is estimated to be 2-3 years old
Was Ranger abused? Is that why he doesn’t want to be pet? Why does he wear a NO TOUCHY patch? Ranger most likely was not abused. He is what is called, “handshy.” This is common with dogs who either weren’t exposed to being pet as young puppies, are bred to be wary of strangers, a combination of the two, or something else. Being handshy on its own does not denote a dog has been abused in the past or is currently being abused.
What is the blue box on his collar? Ranger has a GPS unit attached to him in case he decides to go adventure on his own. If he were to get lost, we can use the tracking unit and its accompanying phone app to track his location and get him to safety. This unit does not buzz or shock and is by the company Whistle.
Is Ranger related to Mindy? We don’t know! Mindy is 8 years old, and we don’t know who either of their doggy family members are. There’s always a chance they are related! You can watch them together on Ranger’s instagram page, Go For Ranger.
What other breeds do you think Ranger is mixed with? The sky’s the limit on what Ranger’s DNA is mixed with. He has German Shepherd-like physical features and behavior traits, so that one is a safe bet. The rest could be anything. DNA makeup doesn’t always show up in physical features, making mutts’ looks extra special!
(For fun! Try Embark’s guess the breed game: https://embarkvet.com/resources/guess-the-breed/ and see for yourself!)
What rescue is he being rehomed under? Currently, Ranger is a private rehome via his living relatives. He is being boarded as well as trained by Steph as she keeps his relatives updated on his well-being and progress.
If you are interested in making Ranger part of your family, please contact us at foster@good-sit.com with RANGER in the subject line.
Housetrained: yes
Crate trained: yes
Good with dogs: yes — prefers females when indoors, plays with all sexes outside and on leash
Good with cats: no
Good with kids: n/a
Intact/neutered: neutered
Age: 2-3 years old
Breed: german shepherd and mystery other breed (s)
Color: black with the teeny tinesy white spot on his chest
Exercise needs: 2-4 hours a day