Evaluating Temperament
The first thing your expert will want to do is move the dog to a quiet area. While in this area, it is important to allow the German shepherd to approach you on her own terms. You do not want to make a move to pat the dog or even make eye contact (which can be seen as a threatening gesture) until she has shown interest in you.
To begin, you and your shepherd expert should basically ignore the dog. The more approachable and less confrontational you appear, the faster the dog will warm up to you and begin to trust you. Remember, you know literally nothing of this dog's past or how people have treated her. Allow the dog to sniff you and even lick you. Make any movements slowly and in a nonthreatening way, keeping hands and arms low and not raised above the dog.
If the dog is warming up nicely to you and your expert and seems to have gotten comfortable with her surroundings, see if she shows any interest in playing with a ball or another toy. As she continues to relax and gain confidence, your expert may be able to handle her and test her tolerance for minimal contact. At this point, if all is going well, your expert will want to leash the dog and walk around the enclosure or take on extended walk outside of the facility, if possible. Using treats and a reassuring voice, your expert may work on a few simple obedience skills to see if the dog is willing to heed a handler.
The dog that is obviously friendly, loves handling, and trusts quickly is probably a good choice. Dogs that remain fearful and shy away from you or overreact to even the slightest movements or sounds are harder to evaluate. It could be that the dog is too damaged to be rehabilitated, or it could be that time away from the shelter with an experienced handler might be all the dog needs to blossom.
Generally, what you see at the shelter in terms of temperament will be the dog in her worst state. The moment she is out of the noisy surroundings, she will improve dramatically. On occasion, it is possible for an emaciated or very ill dog to appear complacent simply because she has so little energy and, as her health improves, to become domineering and aggressive.
Regardless, it is dangerous to take a chance on a dog that doesn't show improvement. If your expert feels that the distressed shepherd might warm up over time, you might consider making daily visits with the dog and observing if there's any change in the dog's attitude toward you. Of course, if there is any doubt in your expert's mind — or yours — as to the temperament of the shepherd, don't adopt her. As tough as it might be to walk away from a dog that will likely be euthanized, you can't risk it. Save your heart and home for the German shepherd that lavishes you with love and attention and pleads with you to take her home and keep her forever. This is the one you want.
