Adoptable Dogs

You must be an ISR approved adopter to request and receive further information on our GSPs. The process includes an application review, Veterinarian check, and home visit. Please understand there may be approved adopters already going through various stages of our adoption process; candidates who submitted their applications before those still in the review process, or those who are in the home visit stages.

Expressing an interest for a particular dog already in our rescue does not guarantee that specific dog will be available when you’ve completed the approval process. Also, we must ensure the needs of the dog of interest is a good match to an applicant’s specific circumstances. Completing an application and going through the approval process will add your information to our network. A current approval with your information in our database offers you the greatest opportunity to be matched up with the perfect GSP; a great match for your entire family. To start the application process, please follow the instructions found on this page.

Archer
Archer
1 1/2 yr old
55lb Male


Jack Profile
Jack
6yr old
Male
Hope
Hope
1-ish
48lb Female
Adoption Pending
Otis3
Otis
6yrs old
48lb Male
Ozzy2
Ozzy
4 1/2 month old
34lb Male
Sally_5Wks
Shorthair Puppies
5 weeks old
Adoption Pending (All)

Hope – Fostered in Illinois (Adoption Pending)

Hope
Hope

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

While Hope still has a journey ahead of her in becoming more confident with an experienced home and dog sibling, she will learn and become an even bigger gem than she is now.  A home with a crate and another dog is important as you’ll read below. Also, a physical fence would be best for her.

HOPE’S STORY:

Hope came into ISR as a stray.  She was part of a group of 3 dogs that a community came together to help animal control capture.  Hope was the smallest and the last one to be caught from that group.  She was also the most shy and scared.  When she initially went to the vet, they were worried because she was so shut down and terrified that they had to hand feed her to get her to eat.  When coming into her foster home, she would cower, shiver and not want to come out of her crate.

Fast forward to today: 

Hope is a chow hound and does well with a slow feeder.  She discovered counter surfing so beware peanut butter toast and well most anything scenty as she has a good sniffer for food. She would probably do awesome at Noseworks/ Scentworks.  She is about 48 Lbs so is petite and for a Shorthair walks pretty well on a leash using a martingale collar.  She is about 1 year old ish and acts like an 8-10 month old GSP puppy.  

What has she learned: 

Her name, Come, Sit, Looking, and working on Off and Leave It;  She has also learned to sleep in a bit as she used to want to get up and start her day between 4:30-5:30 am and has now improved to 7:30- 8:00 am.  

She thinks of her crate as her safe place so a crate will be important to have in her new home.  She likes a comfy comforter or blanket in her crate which she does not disturb.  She has a medium energy level where if she is working on obedience training (usually 10 min sessions for her attention level), has some play time and exercises, she then settles down nicely to cuddles or watching critters outside the windows.  

Another must for Hope is another dog. A dog that is tolerant but confident who will also run and play with her.  She likes to run and wrestle.  Hope is learning to regulate when to stop as her foster brother growls and shows his teeth at her when he is done.  She still wants to be his friend and really works to make him like her.  She lives with 3 german shorthairs in the house and she cuddles with all of them.  She is also beginning to initiate cuddling with her foster mom so will become a full fledged cuddle bug in no time.  Hope takes time to warm up especially to men as she is still learning the world is not a scary place.  She does look for cues from her foster dog siblings when friends and family come over as to whether she should bark or befriend them.  Hope does sometimes bark and run away/ pace from a person she does not know, however, if they are patient and let her come to them, she relaxes.

Hope loves toys like Nylabones and learning to return and drop the tennis ball after it is thrown.  She does like plushies, however, they do not always last long.  She will also assist you in bringing you shoes when you may not need them and once a toilet paper roll.  The good thing is that she is exploring and being adventurous where she used to just hide in a corner and shiver.

For a dog that is learning the world is a safe place, she is NOT afraid of fireworks or storms and she does NOT have separation anxiety.

If you’re ready to have a GSP who has a sweet personality and a lot of love to give, please complete our Online Adoption Application. It’s the quickest and best way for us to learn of your interest.

  • Hope is up to date with routine shots and is house trained.
  • Hope is altered.

Sponsor Hope      Adopt Hope

Archer – Fostered in Indiana

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Archer & Milo
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Archer-Couch
Archer-Sleeping

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Archer adjusts well to other dogs but can be slightly selective with other male dogs.  OK with cats that are “dog savvy” and don’t linger too long to play.  A fenced yard will be best as he likes and requires a lot of exercise.  No small children because he’s very rambunctious and may accidentally hurt them.

ARCHER’S STORY:

Archer, a.k.a. Archie, is a mostly white GSP with liver spots and one of the sweetest faces and dispositions you’ll find for any dog.  He’s about 1 ½ years old and is finally at an ideal weight (55 pounds) after being extremely thin (38 pounds) and in poor condition when he was found and taken to a shelter.  He didn’t fare well in the shelter and was surrendered to ISR.  Since then, he’s improved dramatically, mostly because his foster mom is a Veterinarian and has been able to determine the appropriate diet and medicine Archie needs to maintain his health.  Archie is currently on a special diet to treat what is believed to be a food allergy.

Archie gets along great with other dogs and in a previous foster home his best friend was another male GSP; however, once in a while he can be fussy about accepting other male dogs.  He’s not aggressive, just selective. 😊 He’s curious about the cats he lives with and will chase them if they run, but he never seems to want to hurt them.  Archie loves children, too, but since he’s young, rambunctious, and plays a little rough, we advise he not be homed with younger children.  Children who can hold their own with a “rough and tumble” kind of GSP will do great with Archie.  He loves to play tug-of-war, will happily chase balls, and can render a stuffed animal “stuff-less” in just a few short minutes!  He definitely needs supervision when tearing into a stuffed animal because he’s not above eating whatever he tears apart, which could be very unsafe for him. ☹

Archie’s a typical GSP in many ways, especially in that he is happiest when he is with his people.  He’s very much a Velcro GSP, but he’s not demanding about being so.  Also, in GSP fashion, he has two speeds, “on” and “off.”  And when we say “on,” we mean with an abundance of energy and playfulness!  He’ll need a home that can provide him with a lot of exercise to keep his energy level in check.  A family that will include him in their activities, indoor and outdoor, will be the best family for Archie.  We think Archie would do very well on hiking and jogging adventures.  When Archie has been “on” long enough and is ready to turn his internal switch to “off,” his favorite activity is just lazing and snoozing on the couch…or anywhere else his people are.

Because Archie faced a past where food wasn’t forthcoming for him, his fosters say he’s extremely food motivated.  While this is great for training him, it’s not so great for other things, such as counter surfing or hovering near his people when they’re eating.  Luckily, Archie knows what “go lay down” means and his fosters use that command to get him to leave the area when they’re eating.  He’ll then go lie on the couch and watch from there…ever hopeful, we’re sure. 😊  Archie also knows what “sit” means, but he’s a work in progress with other commands.  He’s also crate-trained and house-trained.

Archie experiences some anxiety, but not anxiety caused by separation because he rests comfortably in his crate when his fosters aren’t home.  His anxiety seems to be triggered by fireworks and loud thunderstorms, when he’s anticipating food, and/or when he wants to be with his people.  No doubt the food anxiety is because in his mind he always thinks he’s hungry (from being without) and wanting to be with his people is a typical GSP trait.  Overall, his foster family feels these anxieties are manageable, especially if he receives the amount of exercise he needs to help him relax and move to his “off” switch.  His foster family says, “fireworks and thunderstorms will create anxiety situations with Archie, but with large/loud fireworks medication will help and with storms (and other impromptu loud noises i.e., gunfire and smaller fireworks) he remains calm and is fine if he can lie down and sleep/be next to his people.”

Archie’s foster family has quickly fallen in love with this sweet boy and love so much about his personality and disposition.  They tell us, “he would love to snuggle in his family’s bed, but they have too many little dogs to allow him to get up there. He gives up quickly and heads to the couch. He is an affectionate, goofy/clumsy boy and loves to be with his family. He cracks his foster dad up when he zooms by his rope toy two or three times before he grabs it.” Archer will make such a fun pet and a fantastic addition to an active, loving family.  He’s sweet and tries hard to please his people.  Being adopted by a family that has the time and patience to help mold this young GSP into the best dog he can be, will prove to be worth your time and energy for many years to come.

If you’re an active family who wants to adopt a young, energetic, sweet GSP, then Archer may be just the match for you! Please complete our Online Adoption Application. It’s the quickest and best way for us to learn of your interest.

  • Archer is up to date with routine shots and is house trained.
  • Archer is altered.

Sponsor Archer     Adopt Archer

Shorthair Puppies

Sally_5Wks
Adoption Pending
Lucy_5Wks
Adoption Pending
Marcie_5Wks
Adoption Pending

Jack – Fostered in Illinois

Jack Profile
Jack at door
Jack at window
Jack sit
Jack in yard
Jack with Human

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Jack is used to having a lot of room to “roam” so a fenced yard is recommended.  He has not yet been introduced to other dogs and cats in his personal space.  Good with teenagers and strangers but may be too active for children under five years old.

JACK’S STORY: Updated March 18th

Jack is a 6-year-old male GSP who is very energetic with high prey drive…especially with squirrels.  When you look at Jack’s pictures, you may notice he has only one eye…perhaps that’s why he was named Jack?  As in One-Eyed Jack?  We know Jack’s eye was removed when he was 11 weeks old and he doesn’t have any noticeable handicaps without it.  He occasionally flinches when someone reaches to pet him, especially if moving towards him on his “blind” side, but other than that he leads a very normal GSP life.  That is, if any GSP is actually “normal” in the sense of the word.  After all, our beloved GSPs are all totally unique, precocious, and adorable so referring to one as normal is a bit simplistic.

Jack has been with his foster family for 6 weeks now and has bonded nicely with them.  During this time, he has settled down into routines allowing them to see more of Jack’s cute personality and improved house manners.  Jack is foremost a fun and sometimes goofy cuddle bug.  On the fun side, Jack likes to turn “360s” when he’s excited about going in and out of the house and also when his foster mom gets home from work. 

Jack’s foster family hasn’t introduced him to other dogs yet, but he has experienced other dogs on walks and behind fences.  If they bark or become aggressive, he tends to quicken his pace and move away.  He noticed a cat on one of his walks and seemed to be extremely interested but didn’t bark or even attempt to chase it.  As far as living with children, Jack currently lives with a teen-aged boy and loves him and the young man’s friends, but we don’t recommend he be adopted by a family with young children due to his energy level and possible quick movements by a toddler that he may not see coming towards him.  He has never shown any aggression with his fosters or anybody he’s met so far.  He likes to meet new people and is particularly good with them.

Jack is in the backyard and on the go constantly…especially since he’s spotted squirrels dwelling in his confines.  He’s on the hunt and vigilant.  If he isn’t stalking the neighborhood squirrel families, Jack likes to play with stuffed animals and Kongs.  He’s a gentle chewer and hasn’t destroyed any stuffed animals yet, but his fosters still supervise this activity in case an errant squeaker gets out…not good if Jack decides to eat it. 😊  While his leash walks are still a bit of a work in process, they’ve become much more enjoyable over the weeks.  When on walks Jack likes to point at squirrels but he doesn’t chase them.  He responds very well to his name and even responds when there is another dog or other distraction.  This is helpful if you’re in the house because you can get Jack to stop barking at a passing dog just by calling out his name.

Jack is food-motivated, which helps with his training, especially when teaching him to go up and down stairs.  When he first arrived in his foster home, he wouldn’t attempt the stairs, but over the weeks he has mastered the stairs in his home and also a steep metal staircase at his training facility.

Jack’s foster family has been taking Jack to a trainer to improve certain behaviors and he’s making great progress because, as we’ve said, he is very smart and treat motivated.  He now “lays on his mat” to receive a treat and will also “stay on his mat” while his family answers the door or goes upstairs.  The ultimate goal is for Jack to “get on your mat” when instructed.  His foster mom indicated she’ll be more than happy to pass along all the necessary info and training techniques to keep Jack on his training path when he’s adopted.

Jack is keenly aware of all the nummy smells originating from the countertops but he hasn’t attempted to grab or eat anything found up there.  He came face to face with a roast beef sandwich but didn’t eat it!  WOW!  Jack doesn’t beg for human food and settles down in his bed when his family sits down for a meal.

Jack loves to be with his people in typical GSP fashion; however, he loves it so much he doesn’t seem to understand he needs to move out of the way when his people want to get by.  This behavior could result in tripping over him if his family isn’t careful.  Jack has become quite a lap dog and loves to sit on his foster mom’s lap when he comes in from his nightly walk.  After he has cuddled and warmed up, he settles down on his dog bed and just hangs with his family for the evening.

Jack sleeps quietly in his crate at night but like most GSPs, he much prefers to be out with his people or roaming in the backyard.   His foster mom feels he’d really like to move into a bedroom with one of his family members at night instead of being away from them. So far Jack hasn’t attempted to get on the furniture in his home and seems to be quite happy lying on his dog bed. So, overall, our little One-Eyed Jack is tops in our deck of cards!  He is a handsome, well-mannered dog and gets compliments from his foster’s neighbors every time he’s out and about.  He’s sweet and loving, has loads of energy, and loves people.  Truly a dog that has a lot to offer for the right family.  His foster family says, “he is a delight and any family will be lucky to make Jack their own!”

  • Jack is up to date with routine shots and is house trained.
  • Jack is altered.

Sponsor Jack     Adopt Jack

Otis – Fostered in Illinois

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Otis4
Otis2
Otis5
Otis6

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Otis is good with other dogs he meets on walks.  A dog sibling would be good for Otis.  High prey drive so probably not good with cats.  Great with children, but rambunctious enough that he might unintentionally knock a toddler over.  A fenced yard would be best.

OTIS’ STORY:

Otis is a male white with liver GSP who is going to be neutered on March 11th, so he’s not quite ready for his furever home, but we expect he’ll be ready soon so we wanted to get his information out as soon as possible.  He is a “doe-eyed” 6-year-old GSP.  He has eyes that are so expressive and innocent looking it’s difficult to tell him no. 😊

Otis gets along well with other dogs he meets on walks and acts like he’s interested in playing with them, too. He did have another dog in his previous home so he will probably get along well with another one in his new home. He’s also great with his 8- and 12-year-old human fosters and greets everyone, family and strangers alike, with a wagging tail and cheerful disposition.  Because Otis is a bit on the rowdy side of the spectrum at times, it may be best if he is not homed with toddlers or babies as he might accidentally knock them over but definitely not intentionally.  He’s much too sweet to be purposefully harmful.  Otis has a high prey drive when he sees backyard critters so it may be safe to assume he would treat cats as prey, too.

Otis always welcomes leash walks.  He usually gets two and sometimes three walks a day to help with his exercise requirements.  Remember, GSPs are generally high energy dogs and require exercise to help curb their boredom.  😊  He loves to sniff around in typical GSP fashion…always on the hunt for a new smell or the sight of a critter nearby.  Another possibility to help Otis get the exercise he needs is to home him with another dog with an energy level comparable to his, or at least one that won’t mind being with Otis when he’s having a great time just running around and wanting to play.  A dog that will be tolerant of Otis’ rambunctious side.  Otis, like many GSPs, has two speeds…Go! Go! Go! and then rest and relaxation.

Since Otis has only been with his fosters a couple of weeks there’s still much they’re learning about him but what they already know is that he is a sweet, loving guy who always wants to be with his people.  He likes to snuggle with them on the couch and will fall asleep while they’re petting his head.  And if they’re in the kitchen cooking, he likes to pretend he’s supervising with his keen Chef Ramsey curiosity.  When Otis first arrived at his foster home he would sleep in his crate at night and will still sleep there…if he doesn’t have a chance to sneak into the bedroom and jump up on the bed.  One night his foster mom left the bedroom door open and who should appear…you guessed it…little Otis.  The moral of the story here is that (Otis with sweet, sad eyes + foster mom with big soft heart) = Otis now sleeps in bed when he wants.  A happy ending for Otis for sure!  On the plus side, Otis sleeps in bed and doesn’t make a peep until his fosters are ready to get up so everyone gets the sleep they need, even with the interloper added to the mix. 😊

Otis is extremely food motivated, which will help when he begins receiving more training.  It will be helpful for Otis’ new family to provide him with overall basic obedience training as his foster family has only been able to work on his “sit” command for now.  But he sure knows how to do that if a treat is involved.  He is crate-trained, although, as we said, he would much rather be wherever his people are.

Otis’ foster mom thinks Otis will do great with a family who has the time to provide him with the exercise he needs to keep him happy.  A home with another dog will be good for Otis, especially if the energy level is close to that of his.  However, his foster mom pointed out that he’s also great as an only dog, too.  He’s very adaptable after he’s been given a few days to figure things out.

Otis is a sweet, happy-go-lucy GSP with a love for all people and a zest for life in general. If you’re interested in a sweet, playful shorthair with loads of energy, and one who loves people, then Otis may be right for you. If you’re interested, please complete an Online Adoption Application. It’s the quickest and best way for us to learn of your interest.

  • Otis is up to date with routine shots and is house trained.
  • Otis will be neutered on March 11th.

Sponsor Otis     Adopt Otis

Ozzy – Fostered in Indiana

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PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Ozzy is a playful, energetic pup and will require a lot of exercise, attention and consistency.  A fenced yard is required.  Good with other dogs and some cats.  Great with older children, may be too rambunctious for little ones. Previous puppy experience, preferably with a GSP puppy, will be a big plus for the adopting family of our sweet little Ozzy.

OZZY’S STORY:

Ozzy is an adorable, rambunctious, 4 ½ month old male GSP puppy.  Because he’s a GSP puppy Ozzy will require a home with a family who will have a lot patience AND energy to keep up with him as he learns and grows…consistency and setting boundaries will be especially important in order to keep him on the right track to becoming an obedient, happy adult dog member of his new family.  Most GSPs come with loads of energy, but a GSP puppy can be on energy overdrive much of the time. 

Ozzy lives in a home with 3 other GSPs, a couple of cats, and a teenager who has helped him adapt to many different situations.  He’s a very playful youngster and loves rough housing with the other dogs.  If Ozzy is homed with another dog, it will be best if it’s a younger dog who can keep up with his playfulness and won’t get overly annoyed with him.  A smaller or older dog may not be able to “survive his puppiness.” 😊  Ozzy is still learning cats have different limitations and boundaries than his GSP playmates, but he is learning.  If Ozzy is homed with a cat, the cat should be confident and outgoing enough to be the “boss” during play.  Ozzy wouldn’t do well with a kitten (smaller cat) or an elderly cat.

Children will love Ozzy as much as he’ll love them; however, children should be old enough to maintain their balance with him if he’s in a playful mood; older children will be ideal.  Keep in mind since Ozzy is a puppy he’s still in his “nibbly-biting” puppy stage and may break skin when he’s playing or attempting to play.  It will get better eventually, but this will also take time and patience.

Ozzy’s foster mom has been taking him to puppy obedience classes and he thrives with all the attention he gets.  He loves new experiences and visiting with everyone. His fosters say he’s a very quick learner but he also suffers from a typical puppy trait called “short attention span”. 😊  Ozzy knows a couple of commands (“sit” and “down”) and is constantly in the process of learning more.  His fosters are also working on better leash walking skills, “heel” and “leave it.”

Ozzy loves treats which has helped with training.  Unfortunately, he’s currently a counter surfer and isn’t afraid to add that extra effort to get the forbidden prize he sees and smells.  Sometimes he’ll even reach things that seem completely out of his range.  Because he’s just a pup, his fosters are confident this habit can be curbed with patience, consistent commands, and of course, keeping a keen watch on him when food is nearby.

Ozzy isn’t food or toy aggressive with the other dogs or his people but once in a while he’ll put on his “big boy puppy pants” and gives a low growl at one of the other dogs if they want one of his highly prized treats or bones.  He doesn’t want to give it up, but in the end, the other dogs can easily take it away from him without much fuss.

When it’s time to relax you’ll find Ozzy cuddling and snoozing on the couch beside one of his people.  This quiet time comes shortly after he’s been running around with his toys or after he gets his last burst of energy in the evening shortly after 8 p.m.  He gets a good case of the zoomies for a little bit and then it’s lights out.

Because Ozzy is such a special little pup his foster mom sent many loving comments to describe him in her own words.  She told us, “Ozzy has a great personality. He’s as cute as possible and the way he sits and looks for treats is the cutest thing ever.  His tail wags at such a fast speed sometimes it’s a blur!  He loves everyone he meets, he has a ton of energy, and is very curious. He’s everything you’d expect in a GSP puppy. Someone’s going to be incredibly lucky to have Ozzy join their family. Our dream for him is a forever home where he gets to go on adventures like camping and hiking. We’d love for him to have another young dog as a playmate and a big yard to run in. A privacy fence is preferred because we noticed he’s curious enough to look for a way to escape a chain link fence (the foster family have a privacy fence). Part of Ozzy’s endearing personality is not only is sweetness, but also his “orneriness.”   He’s extremely sweet and loving, but because he’s so determined when he sets his mind to something (ornery) his new family will need to appreciate his puppy orneriness as well as his puppy cuteness.” 😊

As one can imagine, it’s going to be a very bittersweet moment for his foster family when Ozzy is adopted by his forever family.  He needs a family who is educated on the physical needs and energy levels of a GSP puppy.  He will NOT do well if left to his own devices.  If he isn’t homed with another dog as a playmate, he’ll do well as an only dog, too, as long as his new family provide him with all the physical and mental activities he’ll require to keep his energy and curiosity levels satisfied.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about Ozzy and may be interested in making him a permanent addition to your family.  Remember, “you can’t buy happiness, but you can adopt it.”  And our little Ozzy is ready to make you happy. If you’re interested, please complete an Online Adoption Application. It’s the quickest and best way for us to learn of your interest.

  • Ozzy is up to date with routine shots and is house trained.
  • Ozzy is altered.

Sponsor Ozzy     Adopt Ozzy

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