I have been so lucky with my dogs, each becoming dearer than their predecessor, with George being the most beloved to date.
He was special:
Reactive and needy, liable to redirect and bite when confronted by something scary, yet the gentlest and most loving of pups when calm.
Incredibly clever and quick to learn, he did obedience, agility, scentwork and tricks, this last being his true passion.
Cheeky and playful with those he trusted, both two and four legged.
With an indomitable life loving spirit.
George started his training at a local Obedience Club, winning cups and rosettes at lower levels, including most improved dog in his first year and being used as a demonstration model for people starting on the Beginners Course. Unfortunately his reactivity prevented his being able to compete in Obedience outside the club.
Alongside Obedience he did Agility, especially loving the contact equipment, particularly enjoying running up and down the sea-saw given the opportunity. His greatest success was coming first in the helter-skelter jumping for our team at Super Dogs.
As I learned more about dogs and dog training I came to appreciate that the harsh ‘stick and carrot’ methods favoured by many trainers at the club were not helping with his reactivity and, with much help and support from some amazing behaviourists, including Jo-Rosie Haffenden and Paws own Jan Hyams (much missed) we started using force free training methods to help manage his reactivity more proactively.
As part of managing his reactivity I introduced him to a variety of enrichment activities, including some simple trick training which he loved. He could be quietly sleeping but say the word ‘Triick’ and he would be 100% focused and ready to start.
When he was about ten I found a local Trick Trainer and we started going to her classes where, despite his age, he attained his Trick Dog Champion Award a couple of years later. He was a natural showman and when among friends loved to entertain, for instance, to the delight of local children, would borrow one of their skateboards and demonstrate his skills. In fact I think he thought he was one of them – in his mind more boy than pup.
After Covid George started doing scentwork, taking to it with the enthusiasm that he had for all his activities. One day I was chatting with our instructor outside an area set up for searches when we noticed George had gone in and made the first ‘find’. Our instructor laughed and said “if he were a human he would be just the type of person you would want to employ – he knows his job and gets on and does it!”
……..
George has given much for which to be grateful. It was only as a result of his reactivity that I studied canine behaviour and because of him that I developed the skills and knowledge to qualify as a Trick Trainer.
Perhaps, of more importance to members of this Forum and our associated FB Group, without George Pawsitively Terriers wouldn’t exist
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