Find the dog you've been looking for
Think First
Building the habit and ability of pausing before reacting
Recover Fast
Building the habit and ability to reset after pressure.
Stay Curious
Building confidence to approach new things in the environment.
THE STONY LONESOME difference:
There's a lot to modern life.
Few puppies are deliberately prepared.
- Structured introduction to objects, environments and experiences shapes a puppy toward confidence and engagement.
- Stony Lonesome pups are started to think before reacting, recover from stress, approach new things with confidence, and stay connected to their people.
"Callie passed all of her testing today and is officially my service dog ... Comments I got from the trainers were:
'She is definitely half human!'
'She picked up that command faster than any dog I've ever seen!'
'I didn't even have to teach her that - she already knew what to do!'
Around 2/3 of dogs who start service dog training fail ... I believe the connection we have far outweighs any training she could receive and for that I am very thankful and I'm honored to have her at the other end of the leash."
SL Note: while we started Callie with our usual protocol, which is well suited for service, the relationship Ash Leigh fostered with Callie and the training (mostly by herself) have been nothing short of amazing.
From the start we've enjoyed hearing one extraordinary story after another in this perfect match, and we are incredibly happy to be a part of Ash Leigh and Callie's blessed life together!
We train
Problem Solving
At five weeks Promise faced a new obstacle. She paused, experimented, and worked her way around it.
We train
Recovery
When Apache was nine weeks, a forklift up drove right up to us at Lowes. She watched it go up, glanced at me and went right back to watching customers.
A German Shepherd needs to be stable and confident. Curious engagement helps.
Epoch investigates the "Stalactites", a new toy. He seems to pause at 10 and 25 seconds and stare into space, and after each goes back and experiments some more. He's surprisingly focussed - see his rejection of Harmony's invitation to play at 48 seconds.
Though he was the first pup to really explore it, within a day or two the entire litter was regularly working the new toy into various games.
This is one type of learning experience, and as always pacing and timing matter. So do other factors, such as comfort with the learning environment.
Frequent well-introduced experiences like this in the first two months will produce a more curious dog with more confidence that it can handle situations, and with the expectation that mastering novelty is rewarding.
All this can deepen a dog's experience of the world, allowing a deeper relationship with its owner.
We train
Curious Engagement
We train
Deep Connection
Stay Connected: from the beginning, our pups are oriented to people so they check in and stay engaged.
Waffles has brought me so much happiness I didn't know I needed. I love him more than words can say.
Current Litters
We have no litters on the ground right now but please contact us to find out more about Stony Lonesome GSD and planned litters.
As easy as 1-2-3
A Simple Process for Getting the Right Puppy
STEP 1
Start the Conversation
We learn a little about you to understand if the breed, our kennel and the timing are right for you.
STEP 2
Make the Match
We guide you to the right litter and then help match you with the puppy that's right for you.
STEP 3
Welcome Puppy and THRIVE™
Take your puppy home and start off on the right foot - keep developing with Thrive™.
It all starts with a short conversation about your situation.
What People Ask Before They Decide
Is buying a puppy from you complicated?
We keep it simple and structured. At each stage you'll know exactly what to do next.
Do I have enough experience?
German Shepherds aren’t the right fit for everyone. What matters most is consistency, awareness, and a willingness to learn.
We’ll help you determine if this is the right time and the right fit, because we only place puppies where they’ll succeed.
How do I choose the right puppy?
First let's narrow down the right litter, then match you with the right puppy as personalities develop, not just the one that looks right on day one.
What happens after I bring my puppy home?
Stony Lonesome's Thrive™ program continues the process with clear, well-timed guidance, so how your puppy thinks, recovers, and engages keeps developing in your home.
Start the Conversation
