Boxer Success

Jamie announced on Wednesday that the sheriff and one or two deputies would be there on Monday. Jamie called the local sheriff and asked if his daughter would have any dogs for sale. Later he heard that she had three that were ready for sale. Jamie said she would be there shortly after lunch with the dogs. He said that the dogs were partially trained and fully socialized and were almost a year old.

Then Jamie surprised us and said that the AKC tester would also be here on Monday. Tom said you were not going to test for another three weeks. Jamie said yes, but after the way they behaved when the sheriff was here on Monday, I decided that we would test them. So, for the next few days we will work on commands and repeating them. I am happy with the way they behaved and how well they work with you that I am moving up the testing. If they pass, then we will bring in one of the individuals later next week and the other the first of the following week.

After lunch, the sheriff's daughter was there with three dogs and Jamie started to work one dog and the rest just followed the lead dog and all obeyed every command. When Jamie dropped the leash, the three dropped in place. Jamie then asked if they were fully trained and she said almost, but admitted that even she was surprised at their behavior.

Jamie then asked about exposing them to another Boxer. He said that he will get leashes for all dogs and everyone will have a dog. Jamie had Tom bring out one of his dogs. There was plenty sniffing and checking each other out, but nothing to be alarmed about and soon they were working to the same commands. Jamie thanked the sheriff's daughter for having her dogs so well trained and willing to meet new dogs. She said that even she was surprised at the way they behaved to a 'new to them' dog.

At that point, Tom and I each had two dogs, Jamie, and the sheriff's daughter headed to the house to settle the account. As they were doing this, our sheriff drove in the driveway. All four dogs sat down which surprised us as even the dog of Jamie's sat down when the others did. The sheriff, Carl, asked if his daughter had brought four dogs. Tom said the one on his left was Jamie's and the other three would be Jamie's when they finished in the house.

Carl asked permission to pet Jamie's dog, and Tom handed him the leash. Then Carl reached down and stroked his head and shoulders. The dog did look at Carl, but didn't move.

Carl asked how long our dogs had been in training and Tom said now almost three weeks. Tom added that the sheriff from the other county and one or two deputies will be here next week when we have the dogs AKC tested. He continued that we may be ready to test your daughters three dogs also, but that will be Jamie's decision.

Jamie and Carl's daughter came out and exchange greetings. Lucy said she was planning to attend the AKC good citizen test next Monday to learn about the test and talk with the tester to be able to prepare for testing some of their dogs.

Jamie said he had invited her and he was welcome to attend. Tom said he had said that two or three of the other sheriff office would be there. Carl said he would consider it, but unless Lucy insisted, he would not be present. He said he would be present when the individuals were in town with the dogs.

Lucy and Carl left then and we started working with the five Boxers. Even Jamie was happy with the way the five dogs worked together.

On Thursday, we worked with the three new Boxers out of sight of the other two. At noon, Jamie asked how things were proceeding. Both Tom and I agreed that they were as well trained as the two we had been training. Jamie said that with Friday's training and his work with them on Saturday, he might test all five on Monday.

Jamie did contract the AKC tester that afternoon and he said he would be present Monday noon and would plan to test five dogs. Next Jamie called the untrusting sheriff and told him what plans were for Monday of the following week. Jamie did say later that they would be bringing both individuals with them unless there were conflicts preventing this.

Then Jamie called Lucy and let her know that the AKC tester would be present Monday noon to test all five dogs. Lucy asked if her husband could be present as well and Jamie said yes. Then Jamie called the two individuals and informed them of the plans and that their sheriff would be in contact, if he had not already, to bring them for the testing and one or both would be working with their dog for one or two days before going into town to work the dogs there. Both agreed to this and said they wanted to be with the dogs for four days before heading home on the fifth day with the dogs. He advised both to talk with their sheriff to work out the schedule.

We continued working with the dogs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before I headed for home Friday afternoon.