My daughter and her husband are fostering a 2 year old German Shepherd. Her puppies were adopted from a shelter but not Daisy, and here in LA she was going to be euthanized. Daisy was abused in some way, is missing part of one ear, and is understandably cautious around new people and new dogs. But she’s wonderful, gentle with her little dog and cat housemates and so smart. We know her person/people are out there— but she needs a quiet minute, not a crowded adoption fair to meet that right person. This truly hit home for me.
You raised a good kid, Margaret. Of COURSE she's a little wary of new people and dogs, who knows what her life experience has been up 'til now?!? Except for things are getting better for her every day because she is (finally!) in capable hands. Grateful for people who understand slow acclimation, like you and your tribe.
Frisbee managed to charm me in under 10 minutes despite my best efforts to be neutral. He repaid me by bestowing his best move: a natural center. Something I've only seen 3 times after 5 years of shelter volunteering. I have to believe that there is someone out there that needs a Frisbee in their life.
Thanks for working (and playing) with Frisbee, Jenn.
For the uninitiated, a "natural center" refers to a dog instinctively finding and maintaining a gait that positions him walking between the trainer's legs without much mechanical guidance.
This is especially prized in:
--Schutzhund training
--obedience competition
--trick training
--working-line shepherds and Malinois
...and Frisbee!
Here's a fun video of Frisbee practicing the natural center with trainer Joe:
Hortense: it's important to distinguish "board-and-train" and "boarding."
We do not board our dogs, even if it means we cannot save a dog because we have no room. Our board-and-train trainers let the dogs live in their homes. They work with them daily, establishing a routine, teaching them basic skills, socializing them with dogs, and teaching them to live with families.
It's wicked expensive--exponentially more than a simple boarding facility.
My daughter and her husband are fostering a 2 year old German Shepherd. Her puppies were adopted from a shelter but not Daisy, and here in LA she was going to be euthanized. Daisy was abused in some way, is missing part of one ear, and is understandably cautious around new people and new dogs. But she’s wonderful, gentle with her little dog and cat housemates and so smart. We know her person/people are out there— but she needs a quiet minute, not a crowded adoption fair to meet that right person. This truly hit home for me.
You raised a good kid, Margaret. Of COURSE she's a little wary of new people and dogs, who knows what her life experience has been up 'til now?!? Except for things are getting better for her every day because she is (finally!) in capable hands. Grateful for people who understand slow acclimation, like you and your tribe.
Jill, you’re such a beautiful writer. This is the only blog I read.
Frisbee managed to charm me in under 10 minutes despite my best efforts to be neutral. He repaid me by bestowing his best move: a natural center. Something I've only seen 3 times after 5 years of shelter volunteering. I have to believe that there is someone out there that needs a Frisbee in their life.
Thanks for working (and playing) with Frisbee, Jenn.
For the uninitiated, a "natural center" refers to a dog instinctively finding and maintaining a gait that positions him walking between the trainer's legs without much mechanical guidance.
This is especially prized in:
--Schutzhund training
--obedience competition
--trick training
--working-line shepherds and Malinois
...and Frisbee!
Here's a fun video of Frisbee practicing the natural center with trainer Joe:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZYjC39uCAm/
Ah! I didn’t know what natural center meant! Quite the talent.
As stunningly beautiful as Frisbee himself. 💞
(Sigh) The “need-a-minute” thing. How many people lose an extraordinary opportunity to have an extraordinary dog in their life? 😔
I'm at the point where I'm now giving every dog a minute because... why not?
Frisbee's with our buddy John. With John, Frisbee only needed about 30 seconds.
Dogs are truly amazing.
😍
“We rescued Frisbee in October. He’s been in board‑&‑train for most of that time…”.
What the hell? You adopted a dog and farmed him out immediately? That’s awful. Shameful, even.
Hortense: it's important to distinguish "board-and-train" and "boarding."
We do not board our dogs, even if it means we cannot save a dog because we have no room. Our board-and-train trainers let the dogs live in their homes. They work with them daily, establishing a routine, teaching them basic skills, socializing them with dogs, and teaching them to live with families.
It's wicked expensive--exponentially more than a simple boarding facility.
But dogs like Frisbee are worth it.
That’s still farming out. Training should be done *with* a trainer, not by a trainer.