Pop Quiz!

Of the 10 dogs pictured, how many…

Are purebred?

Were taken in by their families as puppies?

Were rescued?

Are mixed-breed?

Were dog-aggressive?

Were human-aggressive?

Have a bite history?

Were so painfully shy they had to be physically removed from their crate?

Are still under one-year-old?  Two-years-old?

Are graduates of our program?

Are e-collar trained?

Are prong-collar trained?

Participated in a charity walk yesterday to raise over $500 for families fighting cancer?

I’ll spot you the answer for the last one- ALL of them!  I’m so proud of this pack, but this is more than just a bragging post.  I want you to really look at this picture, I mean really study it.  I’ll bet you see that Pit Bull in the center and assume he’s got the bite history.  Assume the purebred Belgian Malinois was raised from a puppy?  Think the German Shepherd is a mix?  Think those little ones are safe because they’re cute?

Wrong Dong

Looking at this picture, you don’t know which dog was found in a field in Texas as a still-nursing pup with littermates when their mother was hit by a car.  You don’t know which one survived having been strangled and resuscitated.  Who was nearly returned to the shelter within three-days of adoption because of behavior and destructive issues?  Who was given only 3-months to live 6-years ago?

They all have a different back story, some so sad it’s even hard to write this blog, others so idyllic I don’t want the others to find out!  What they all have in common, however, is their future.  These dogs are with the families they will love and protect forever.  If tragedy should strike and their families can no longer care for them, they have an extended pack family who will step up in a heartbeat to adopt them.  They are well-behaved and trained, (the puppies are still works in progress but coming along so well!)  They completed the 5K yesterday amid a huge crowd, other atrociously behaved dogs, obnoxious children- and a few adults- who have no concept of “personal space” and polite behavior.  The loud noises and the eternity of standing around waiting for something to start was enough to break even the strongest among us but they persevered.  They looked to their people for guidance, they sat and posed on cue, they took the opportunity to play and “be dogs” when given the chance. 

I’m writing this today to brag a little because we’ve all worked hard for their success.  I’m also writing today hoping this will make the rounds on social media and someone out there trying to decide what to do will read it. 

You do not have to get rid of your dog if behaviors are out of control. 

You do not have to raise a pure bred puppy to have an incredible family pet. 

It’s okay to admit that you need some help.

You are not alone. 

We did a great thing yesterday.  We helped Vickie’s Angel Foundation help families struggling to pay their bills while undergoing cancer treatment.  We were able to do that with our dogs and enjoy a beautiful morning in the fresh air and sunshine.  Don’t look at other dogs being well-behaved with their people out in the world and just wish your dog could do that; make it happen.  Seek education for your dog and for your family.  It doesn’t matter what your dog’s back story is, with proper, balanced training, the future is limitless.