K-9 Solutions Dog Training, Inc.: Cooper has a home

Monday, August 30, 2010

Cooper has a home

The problem with having multiple facebook accounts and a blog is that I sometimes forget who I have shared what information with. In case I haven't mentioned it here Cooper has an adopter all lined up for him. He will be at the prison for one more week recuperating from his broken leg. He got the splint off last week and he still has a limp sometimes. The muscles have atrophied a bit so they need to get strong again. He is currently on "light duty". No running or jumping off stuff or playing roughly with Walker. We don't want to chance him ending up back at square one. Most of the bone looks great but there was still one thin spot that needs to fill in abit more. He was in the splint for 8 weeks and this will give him 2 weeks out of it total before he goes into his new home.

This is his leg one week out of the splint. It did a number on the fur as you can see. He's in good spirits though. I will be doing a training session with his new person at the time of pickup so I can show him what Cooper knows and how we taught it to him. He is retired and plans on taking him with him as much as possible on his daily travels. I think Cooper deserves a home where he gets a lot of individual attention. I do think he will miss his handlers, but as dogs can do he will adjust. I know he will be missed by us too.

I wish I knew the story of who left him at the shelter and why. My first reaction was disgust that someone would dump a dog in an outside pen after hours leaving us no history. Upon more thought however it is possible a good samaritan put him there. And even if it was an owner at least they didn't let him loose to fend for himself in the woods. Landing at the shelter turned out to be a very good deal for our sweet and shy Cooper.

If someone left him there to save him I wish I could let them know they did a great thing. If it were an owner, I hope it was because they couldn't keep him so found a better place for him, not that they didn't want to be bothered with him. If it was someone who couldn't be bothered, wow did someone seriously miss the boat on a great dog. He was rough around his edges when we got him but he sure smoothed out nicely.

I just love a happy ending.

1 comment:

JulieandCaleb said...: Hooray for happy endings!; August 31, 2010 at 6:18 PM

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My Story

In 1992, after serving for 6 years in the United States Marine Corps, I decided to settle down in my hometown in Mid-Coast Maine. I got my first dog, (as a bona-fide adult) an akita, and joined the local kennel club. I also joined akita rescue and learned alot about the breed. In turn I began helping educate others. This taught me how important training is for ALL dogs. Thus began my (unofficial) foray into the world of dog training.

I worked for a few years at a local veterinarians office and then began working at our local humane society. While there I saw many dogs being given up for simple training issues. About that time the kennel club began looking for a new trainer to teach group obedience classes. I decided I might be able to handle that challenge once I had more official training of my own.

MY TRAINING:

I found an excellent trainer to mentor with and in October of 2001 after a year of hands on training and study I completed my apprenticeship under Lloyd Williams of Bear Brook Kennels. During that apprenticeship, in addition to learning all the basics, I got to assist in the training of police dogs in narcotics, tracking and cadaver dogs with the medical examiners office.

Not only did I learn how to be a dog trainer, more importantly, I learned how to teach owners how they could communicate more effectively with their dogs. I consider that training just the beginning in my canine education. I continue to attend seminars and keep current through reading about recent advancements in dog training methods. I am a former member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

My training was sponsored by The Humane Society of Knox County and The Mid-Coast Kennel Club of Maine.

MY METHODS:

I use positive reinforcement methods whenever possible during training sessions. Positive reinforcement helps make the training experience more enjoyable for both the dog and owner, producing a better learning environment. I also utilize hand signals in my training which is very useful with deaf dogs as well as hearing ones. My methods include lure/reward and marker training. (with or without a clicker depending on owner preference)

MY GOALS:

My goal in training is to help pet owners develop a better relationship with their dogs. Many times that includes teaching about canine communication and behavior. I also like to help dogs stay out of the shelters and in their homes whenever possible. Training for those unruly dogs can make that a reality for some families.

MY OTHER JOBS:

I am currently the trainer for the HSKC's K-9 Corrections program. I also work as a receptionist at a local veterinary hospital.

MY FAMILY:

I am happily married and the mother of two fabulous children.

Dog Training and Behavior Seminars Attended

11-09 Self Control and Focus Games with Dee Ganley CPDT/CABC/CDBC
6-09 Dog to Dog Aggression with Patricia McConnell PhD
7-08 Debunking the Dominance Myth in Training with Jean Donaldson
6-08 PitBull Education Seminar with Drayton Michaels
3-08 Aggression and Canine Compulsion Disorders with Dr. Nicholas Dodman
4-07 How to Talk Dog with Sarah Kalnajs
6-06 Understanding Canine Body Language with Trish King
4-06 Aggression in Dogs 2 Day Seminar with Brenda Aloff
10-05 Play with Me and Feisty Fidos with Pia Silvani CPDT,CABC
2005 Canine Communication, Meet your Match and and Intro to "Safer" Training with Emily Weiss PhD