Mobility Dog Trainer Adds New Dog Breed

The types of dogs that Jamie uses include the German Shepherds, the Collies, Saint Bernards, and Retrievers. Recently he has added another breed - Boxers. He is thinking of adding several other dog breeds for those needing PTSD companions. The three of us have discussed this as Tom and I feel that with the Shepherds, Collies, and Retrievers, we have a group of dogs that work well for PTSD people.

Jamie said he has had requests for three other breeds and is researching the temperament and disposition of those breeds. Jamie said he has eliminated one breed because of the health problems and difficulty in training. He said that the person was very specific in requesting this breed and he is corresponding with the person to see if there are other reasons he wants that breed of dog and if he would consider another breed.

Both Tom and I were surprised at the ease of working with the Boxers and how well they responded to our working with them. Both of us had been in favor of the Saint Bernards, but the Boxer was easier to work with than the Saint Bernards. Jamie stated that he was changing suppliers because he felt that the three Saint Bernards he had received were not representative of the breed and while they can develop a stubborn streak, with our training they should be much easier to work with than the three we were training presently. He continued that he felt they had not been socialized as puppies like they should have been and may have had some harsh training.

Jamie stated that the Saint Bernards were for people living in the country with plenty of room for exercise and being out doors. I said that was a great idea as they could ruin an apartment that was too small.

For the rest of the week, Tom and I worked with two German Shepherds, two Retrievers, and two Boxers. Jamie worked only with the Saint Bernards and was doing well with them. Tom and I agreed that the Boxers were a pleasure to work and Tom said he would like to do a test run at the good citizen test. Jamie said not to get anxious, as he did not want the boxers tested for at least four weeks in the future.

Next, we really were enjoying working with the other dogs and felt they would be great for someone with PTSD. Jamie said that three of the dogs were for people with PTSD and one German Shepherd was for a K-9 unit in Western Iowa. That dog will be leaving next week and then be in their training program. You are basically training for socialization and good citizen test. Tom asked if this was the first dog for a K-9 unit and Jamie said it was his fourth dog, all for the same unit.

The two Boxers were for two handicapped individuals; one that lived near the edge of a town and the second person lived on a farm. Both will be required to have a fenced-in area for the dogs to exercise in and be confined in when outside and not working. Both dogs will be in the same county and the sheriff is not happy about the dogs and is supervising the fencing. Jamie said he will notify the sheriff when the dogs are to be good citizen tested, as he wants to observe. Jamie said he has invited him to observe training and one trip into town and he has accepted. I expect him to be here one day next week to observe training.

I commented that he is probably nervous about the size of the dog more than anything else. Is our sheriff going to be available when we go into town? Jamie said he had not thought about this and said he would call him at noon when we eat.

When we stopped for lunch, Jamie called and the sheriff suggested that he call the other sheriff, as he was familiar with Boxers as his daughter and son-in-law were raising them. He said he would still be present when we came into town and unless we objected, he would have his daughter bring one or two of her dogs as well. Jamie said that would work and one of his assistants could handle the second dog if she wanted. The sheriff said he would let us know.

Later that afternoon, Jamie had a call from our sheriff and he told us the sheriff where the dogs were going was still unhappy and would still be present for everything set up. Even him telling the other sheriff that his daughter raised boxers had no effect. Jamie concluded that we will cooperate.