A few months ago, Chris, Allie’s owner (the dog in the picture) left us a kind review in which she said, “you are never too old to learn a new skill.”
Chris is a retired senior who joined our classes with her working-line German Shepherd. Those who have ever owned a working dog will appreciate the challenge: no matter what breed, if that dog was specifically bred to perform some kind of task (hunting, biting, pulling, guarding), then the task is what they will always desire. That is, they need a job, and if you do not give them a job, you will enjoy all sorts of destructive impulses coming out of a place of frustration and confusion. This is what Allie was: a sweet but pretty confused and frustrated dog.
Initially, Chris joined our classes to take Allie through basic obedience training. She was looking for guidance on how to deal with Allie’s intensity and how to mould her into an enjoyable canine companion while satisfying the dog’s desire to do something. As it often happens (because dog training is pretty addictive) both decided to stick around longer and, at some point, aim for competing in trials.
The astounding part of Allie’s story is the dog’s transformation from a distracted and hectic animal into an attentive companion, as well as Chris’s perseverance and work ethic. These two religiously did all their homework; they trained in parks and on sidewalks; they developed a daily play and work routine and, ultimately, progressed so well that no one can tell anymore, without knowing, what their relationship was like before coming to training.
Way to go, Chris and Allie. Cannot wait to see you crushing that BH!