The very first thing Ivy tried to do when we met was eat me. It was clearly love at first sight.
Every inch of this dog's body is charged with personality. Ears that seem slightly too large for her head. A whole repertoire of sounds that could make an opera diva jealous. A short wagging tail attached to a stocky little butt.
Ivy is a rescue whose owners came to us looking to build a solid foundation for their future relationship—and they were absolutely right to do so. Ivy is spicy in a way only a bully breed can be: feisty, driven, vocal, stubborn, and occasionally lazy, often all at the same time.
Initially, Ivy wasn't particularly inclined to tolerate other dogs or strangers. Through consistent training and a lot of hard work, she has made tremendous progress and is now approaching the point where she can be trusted to hold a long down while other dogs and their handlers casually move around her. Of course, she didn't get there quietly—I'd be worried if she did. Ivy always has something to say, but she has learned that regardless of her opinion on the matter, a command is a command.
I genuinely hope to see Ivy in an IGP field one day: showcasing her impressive vocal talents during a bark-and-hold or launching herself, full speed, at an approaching helper and hitting them with all the power packed into that stocky, athletic frame.
She has been one of the most entertaining dogs we've ever had the privilege to work with, and enormous credit goes to her owners for their consistency, dedication, and willingness to put in the work. We can't wait to see what Ivy does next.