Footage Caught Her Owner Abandoning Her—Now This German Shepherd Is Waiting for Someone Better
When I arrived at the shelter that day, I could immediately tell something was wrong. There was commotion everywhere—animal control officers, volunteers standing around, and a general sense that something serious had happened. Little did I know I was about to meet Alex, a beautiful German Shepherd with a heartbreaking story. (Watch Video Above)
The Moment We Met
Walking into the kennel area, I found a German Shepherd with her ears down and confidence completely gone. You can tell so much about a dog by their body language, and everything about this pup screamed anxiety and fear. Her ears—typically proud and upright on a German Shepherd—were flattened against her head, indicating zero confidence.
As I approached her kennel, I had to be cautious. In these situations, it’s always a balancing act. You want to help right away, to prevent fear from setting in, but you also need to respect that the dog is at the height of their anxiety. Moving too quickly could cause them to shut down even more or possibly lash out.
The Heartbreaking Backstory
What happened to this beautiful girl was captured on security footage, and it made my blood boil. A man walked up to the shelter’s surrender area with two German Shepherds. Instead of going inside to properly surrender them with the necessary information—like whether they’re good with kids, have allergies, or their medical history—he tied them both to a bench, lingered awkwardly for a moment, and then literally ran away to his car.
This is abandonment, plain and simple. And in most counties, it’s illegal.
When staff went out to investigate, both German Shepherds were hiding under the bench, terrified. They were growling out of fear, forcing animal control to use catch poles for everyone’s safety. No wonder Alex’s anxiety level was through the roof when I met her.
Fortunately, a volunteer dog walker caught the man’s license plate number. Animal control was able to track him down, meaning there would hopefully be some consequences for abandoning these beautiful animals.
Getting to Know Alex
As I sat with her in the kennel, offering treats and speaking softly, Alex slowly began to trust me. German Shepherds are incredibly intelligent, and even in her frightened state, she was processing everything around her.
She appeared to be young—maybe a year and a half or two years old—with beautiful puppy paws still growing into her body. She was dirty, with matted fur and that oily film German Shepherds develop when they haven’t been bathed or brushed in a long time.
Despite everything she’d been through, there were moments of sweetness breaking through. When I called her a “good girl,” she responded as if she’d maybe never heard those words before. Little by little, she began accepting treats directly from my hand rather than just off the ground.
The Scoop on German Shepherds
German Shepherds like Alex are incredibly intelligent, loyal dogs that have historically been bred as working animals. Their intelligence makes them highly trainable, but it also means they need both physical exercise and mental stimulation to thrive.
These dogs typically grow to 50-90 pounds and live 9-13 years. They’re known for their distinctive appearance—that sloping back, pointed ears, and thick double coat that sheds… a lot!
When properly socialized and trained, German Shepherds make incredible family pets. They’re protective by nature but shouldn’t be aggressive when well-adjusted. They form strong bonds with their owners and are often described as “velcro dogs” because they want to be wherever you are.
Training Tips for Fearful Dogs
With a dog like Alex who’s experienced trauma, building trust has to come before any formal training. Here’s what works:
- Use positive reinforcement only – Never punish a fearful dog, as it will only increase their anxiety
- Move slowly – Quick movements can startle dogs who are already on edge
- Speak in a calm, soft voice – Your tone communicates more than your words
- Respect their space – Let them approach you when they’re ready
- Be consistent – Fearful dogs need predictability to feel safe
- Create safe spaces – Allow them a “retreat” where they can go when overwhelmed
Food is a powerful motivator for most dogs. Alex was clearly hungry, scarfing down treats like she hadn’t eaten in some time. Using high-value treats (think small pieces of chicken or cheese) can help create positive associations during this critical trust-building phase.
The Power of Treats: A Training Opportunity
You might have noticed in the video how I used treats strategically with Alex. I call this the “Pac-Man” technique—creating a trail of treats to guide her movement while building positive associations.
For fearful dogs like Alex, treats serve multiple purposes:
- They create positive associations with new people
- They redirect focus away from fear
- They reward calm behavior
- They build trust through consistent, gentle interactions
One thing I noticed with Alex was how she initially took treats very cautiously, almost side-stepping them. This often indicates a dog who either doesn’t know what treats are or has had negative experiences around food. Over time, she began taking them more confidently—a small victory that showed she was beginning to trust.
Next Steps for Alex
Here’s where I need your help. After filming this video, we learned that due to jurisdictional issues, Alex was transferred to San Jacinto Animal Shelter. While her companion was returned to an owner (not the person who abandoned them), Alex is still waiting for her forever home.
She needs a family who understands that she’s been through trauma and will need time, patience, and understanding to fully blossom into the amazing dog I know she can be. German Shepherds are loyal companions who form deep bonds with their families—Alex deserves that chance.
If you can’t adopt, please SHARE this story. The more eyes on Alex, the better her chances of finding her perfect match. You don’t have to spend money to make a difference—just hitting that share button could literally save her life.
Alex is waiting at San Jacinto Animal Shelter right now. All her adoption information is in the description below, or just go to RockyKanaka.com and search for “Alex” to learn how you can help.
Remember, it’s not her fault she ended up in this situation. Together, we can give her the second chance she deserves.
