LOCATION: Bethlehem, CTDOB: Approximately 05/2020 (4 years, 8 months old)Meet Ryder, a striking merle Great Dane with a playful personality and a deep desire to connect with his person. He is currently located in Bethlehem, CT, and Northeast adopters are preferred.Ryder is an intelligent, energetic boy who thrives on structure and clear leadership. He enjoys playtime, engagement, and being involved with his people. He is affectionate and attention-driven, often seeking out interaction and guidance. Ryder has made significant progress through professional board-and-train and continues to improve when given consistency and routine.Ryder is crate trained, leash trained, and Sprenger collar trained. He responds well to direction and correction when handled calmly and confidently. He is friendly with adults and has done well with older, respectful children. He is eager to please and does best with an owner who provides firm, fair boundaries and ongoing reinforcement of his training.Ryder and his brother were rescued from a neglectful situation where they were forced to live outdoors and fend for themselves. After rescue, he entered a structured board-and-train program where he was able to decompress, rehabilitate, and learn how to function as a companion dog in a home environment.Due to his past, Ryder can exhibit resource guarding of human attention around other dogs. With appropriate correction and consistent leadership, he responds well. He has done well around a submissive large-breed female; however, placement with another dog would be considered on a case-by-case basis. He may also do best as the only dog so he can continue building confidence and trust without competition.Ryder has not been placed with small animals and should not go to a home with cats, small dogs, or livestock.Ryder's ideal home is experienced, structured, and knowledgeable about large breeds, particularly Great Danes. He would do well with an owner who is confident, consistent, and committed to maintaining the training foundation he has already built. He is best suited for a home with older, respectful children and minimal chaos.Ryder is not bonded and should be placed separately so he can continue to develop independently. He deserves a stable, committed home where he will never again experience neglect and can fully settle into life as a companion.For the right adopter, Ryder will be a loyal, affectionate, and responsive partner who simply needs guidance, structure, and someone willing to invest in his continued growth.All donation options, adoption applications, and important links are available here:https://linktr.ee/SrgdrrIf donating, please note who or what your donation is for.For more information, please email us at [email protected]. For an application to foster or adopt, please go to www.saverockythegreatdane.org and fill out an app. Thank you so much, we look forward to helping you.