We made two stops to see if the puppies
need to do their business. During the second stop, they did make use
of the stop. By the time we arrived at my apartment, they again
needed the stop. I then used my car to follow them to Jamie's farm.
Tom was working the Standard Schnauzer,
which Jamie had purchased the week before. He came toward Jamie's
truck as he stopped. I could hear Jamie ask how the Schnauzer was
behaving. Tom said better than he had expected and then he said he
was amazed at the ease he was experiencing. Tom continued that this
one seems to have the right disposition.
Jamie asked Tom to take the Schnauzer
to his kennel and return to see the puppies. By the time Tom
returned, Jamie had the two puppies on leashes. He handed one to Tom
and they walked the dogs to the bushes in the house yard and they
again needed to do what dogs do. Jamie told Tom that the two would
be in the kennel attached to the house. I told Tom then that they
would need daily work and light exercise for about 15 minutes three
times per day. Jamie said he would teach Tom what needed to be done
every day and how to handle them. I said that was good and that more
socializing needed to be done. Jamie agreed and said he will be
inviting several of his neighbors to stop by when they had time and
let their children stop when they had time and their parent's
permission. He expressed some doubts about doing this, but said this
is why he wants the parents present when they have the time.
Next he called Sheriff Carl and told
him what was happening and asked if he could stop by once a week and
have this daughter possibly stop by once a week and bring one of her
puppies to help socialize his two puppies. Carl said he would and he
would talk to his daughter and son-in-law. Carl called back in 20
minutes and said he was on the way over.
Tom asked Jamie why he had purchased
puppies. Jamie said they were 10 months old and yes, they would cost
to raise them to the age when they could be put to work, but he was
confident that we could handle this and potentially save some money
and train them as they grow up. They may cost me money, but I am
prepared to do this, as I don't trust the two Saint Bernard breeders
near enough to get them. We traveled to Wisconsin for the two
puppies and I was impressed with the puppies' parents and the health
certificates we were shown before even seeing the puppies. I was
given copies when I purchased them and I was told that I could return
them if I called first. Jamie continued that he felt more
comfortable with these two puppies than he did with the puppies at
the breeders of the Saint Bernards. I suspect they have some harsh
training and were not socialized, and this is not good for that
breed, as they become more difficult to train and don't get along
with strangers and other animals.
Carl arrived then and was surprised to
see the puppies as he was expecting smaller dogs. Tom and I headed
for the barn and we started working with the Welsh Springer Spaniel
and the Standard Schnauzer. I was surprised at the number of new
dogs that Jamie had on hand. I also was surprised with the way the
Spaniel handled. The two dogs were almost working in competition
with each other to please us. As we were working them, Jamie and
Carl came out without us seeing them.
We continued for 20 minutes before we
realized they were watching. Even the dogs had not alerted us, as
they were paying more attention to each other and us. Finally, Jamie
asked us what was wrong. I said they are training as if they were in
competition with each other. Jamie said “Tom,” and Tom said he
agreed. Jamie admitted that in all of his years of dog training,
this is the first time he has seen this. Then he said I am going to
have to think about this, as I don't think this is a good thing. I
told Jamie that I agreed, but that for a week more it may be a good
idea, but then they need to be trained separately. They are learning
because of the competition and their attempts to please us. We are
both using treats for doing the right things and this is helping.
Tom said that maybe we should start
weaning them after four days with less and less time together each of
the remaining three days. I said this may be the best. Jamie said
he agreed and liked the idea. He said he looks forward to seeing how
they react to this.
Carl asked how many dog breeds Jamie
had on hand. Jamie said, as of today I have seven, German Shepherds,
Collies, Boxers, Golden Retrievers, a Standard Schnauzer, a Welsh
Springer Spaniel, and two Belgian Malinois. Jamie added that with
training for mobility service dogs and dogs for PTSD had caused the
increase and presently he had 13 dogs for mobility service and 9 dogs
for PTSD. Carl asked how he kept them separate. Jamie said we have
files posted for each kennel, which includes – the dog's name, what
the dog is being trained for, training notes, and all certificates.
Carl asked if he could see the kennels
in the barn, and Jamie said follow me. Jamie asked Tom and me to
come as well. Once inside the barn, Jamie stopped at the first
kennel and showed Carl the folder. Carl looked the folder over and
said okay. You do keep extensive records. Carl asked to see the
folder for the Standard Schnauzer. Jamie told him to follow Tom.
Tom showed Carl the folder for the Schnauzer. Carl said he now
understood why they kept so many records. He said that the records
do not show whom the dog is being trained for or when the dog may be
ready. Tom called Jamie and explained the question Carl still had.
Jamie said that is kept in the house
and I will show it to you. Jamie showed Carl the potential owner
file. Jamie asked what he was looking for and Carl said Jim was sure
you would have another dog for him. Jamie asked the breed and Carl
said a Saint Bernard or a Newfoundland. Jamie asked if he had seen
any of those dogs on the farm. Carl said no, but said Jim was so
sure that you had one for him.
Jamie then asked why he had not asked
up front instead of the 20 questions. Carl commented that he had
gone a little overboard, but he wanted to make sure. Jamie said Jim
had not discussed any other dog with him. He had asked if we trained
Mastiffs, and when I said no, that was all he said. Jamie said he
would not train any Saint Bernards because he could not find a
reliable breeder within an eight hour drive. As for the
Newfoundland, Jamie said we are considering that breed, but have not
found a breeder.
Carl said he would start quizzing Jim
to find out what he was talking about and why. Jamie said let me ask
Tom and Bob what they may know. Jamie called us up to the house and
asked if Jim has talked about any other dogs. Tom said he had asked
about a Saint Bernard and I told him he had to talk to you. I told
Jamie that he hadn't talked to me about any dogs but his own. Carl
said he was happy that he did not totally trust Jim, but would find
out was he was thinking. Carl said that the farm house he was
talking about is not for sale and would not be and Jim had his heart
set on it. I said it sounds like to me that Jim has a mental problem
and is blaming others.
At that point, Jamie asked Carl if he
should stop retraining. Carl said if he shows up tomorrow, do
retraining, but if he doesn't show up, then you know the answer.
Carl walked to his car and left.
Tom and I looked at Jamie and said
things don't sound right and Jamie said he agreed and he didn't like
the way Carl had done things but he as happy he had cooperated. I
said in some ways I hope Jim doesn't show up tomorrow. I don't like
the way he does things and pulls other people into his schemes.
Jamie said that my original call was on target as Carl had talked to
me about retraining his dog, but the rest is a little off-base.
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