Everyone was present on May 8 and the
dogs were ready for the good citizen test. At noon, everyone showed
up and there was much anticipation for getting the testing started.
I started the testing, Tom followed, and then Jamie. Tom did the
fourth dog and Jamie completed the testing with the fifth dog. When
he was completed, the AKC tester said all five had passed the test
and Lucy and her husband, plus the two customers started clapping.
The three from the sheriff office clapped briefly and announced they
would be back Thursday to see the dogs work in town and take the two
individuals and their dogs back to their homes. Tom and I took care
of the dogs while Jamie took the two retired dogs to their new
kennels.
Next, Lucy and her husband wanted to
ask the tester about the tests and whom they should have test dogs
for them in the future. They pointed out the three dogs of theirs
Jamie had purchased. The tester gave them a card and a few sheets,
which explain the good citizen test and a discussion of what the dog
must do to pass the test.
Next Lucy and her husband talked with
Jamie and thanked him for allowing them to watch the good citizen
test. Tom and I started bringing the dogs for the customers to get
to know. One selected the first dog and the other selected the
fourth dog. When Jamie could, he was shown the two dogs they had
selected and Jamie brought the harnesses for them to try on. Once
they were fitted, Jamie had them start working with the dogs. After
a short time, both said how easy they were to work with and wondered
if they needed the four days. Jamie said with the situation they
would be facing when they returned home, the more team confidence
they gained now, the easier it could be at home.
Both individuals agreed this may be for
the best and started working in earnest. When we completed the day,
the two individuals praised the dogs and gave them treats. Jamie
said there would be some surprises the next day and said they would
both be in town the next afternoon working with the surprises.
We talked that evening and Jamie wanted
to be sure that they understood what the situation might be upon
returning home. The next morning the dogs were harnessed up in the
house and now we told the individuals what the surprises would be and
the commands they would use. Both individuals did not want to do
this, but we assured them that their sheriff had warned us about
several persons that could easily do this. The one individual
finally admitted that one person had threatened his German Shepherd
with this, but had not carried it out. The other person said that
both his wife and he went shopping together and had not been
threatened.
Finally, both admitted that some people
had been attacked by Boxer dogs in their town and there were some bad
feelings.
Jamie said he would show a gun or a
rifle and they were to say, “Protect” with emphasis. I took the
other fellow with his dog to another room and I could hear some
commotion in the room we left. I explained to the fellow I was with
that, he would be tipped out of his wheel chair and he was to issue
the same order. The other individual was not tipped out of his wheel
chair, I told the fellow I was with, because of his neck injury. I
explained the other command was hide. This told the dog to get
behind the wheel chair. In both instances the dog would be able to
move far enough to do some damage or get behind the wheel chair.
There was no guarantee that the dog would not be harmed or even
killed and your sheriff is aware of this. This is one reason he was
here on May 1 to observe the training and he even allowed himself to
pet the dogs.
Your sheriff is aware of those that
were injured by the Boxers that were running in a pack and is
prepared to back you and your dog when necessary. The fellow asked
if they would be able to complain directly to the sheriff and bypass
the city authorities. I said that depends on the city authorities
and whether they support the sheriff. The fellow said that the
sheriff was the city police and one of his deputies patrols the city.
He continued that it was the Mayor and his staff he was concerned
about because they can make trouble and one of his staff and his son
were injured by the dog pack.
When Tom came to get the fellow for his
training, I told him I needed to talk with Jamie. Jamie came out and
I quickly told him what I had learned. He thanked me and went back
for the training. The other individual informed me about what he had
told Jamie and Tom.
We talked while the other fellow was
being trained for emergencies. When that was completed, we headed
outside where Jamie and Tom worked with them on similar situations.
Jamie could see they were becoming tired of the routine and since we
could go into town, he suggested we go there. Both individuals said
no, that they wanted time with the dogs and they liked the farm
surroundings. One asked if Tom and I could follow them around in
case of any problems and the other fellow agreed. Jamie said he
would work with the Saint Bernards then and left us.
For the next two hours, the fellows
worked the dogs and we followed. The dogs were very good and both
were giving treats and praising the dogs. When we stopped for lunch,
both said they were ready to go to town. They said then on Wednesday
morning they would work the dogs in town and then go home Wednesday
afternoon. Both told Jamie to call the sheriff and have them here
for Wednesday morning so they could return home in the afternoon.
Jamie asked if they did not want the extra day. Both answered almost
in unison – no. Jamie asked Tom how they were doing and Tom said
well enough to go home Wednesday. I was nodding my head in agreement
and Jamie said okay, but your sheriff may not be happy. One of the
two said he will get over it.
Wednesday morning we were in town again
and after the sheriff saw them working the dogs; he said I can
understand why they are ready to go home. Then he turned to Tom and
me and said that he appreciated what we did in training, as now he
felt very positive about the breed. He said that while he may never
trust the Boxers, he had to respect the training these dogs had
received and he would support the two individuals to own these dogs
and take on all people that wanted to hurt them. Jamie asked about
one of the mayor's staff and his son. The sheriff said them
especially and a few others that were attacked. The sheriff thanked
Jamie and our local sheriff for their hospitality and demonstrating
what training could accomplish. He concluded that by talking to the
representative of the American Kennel Club, and the local sheriff and
his daughter, everyone has been very informative.
Since the dogs and equipment had been
loaded, everyone said good-bye and they were on the way home. Our
sheriff said he was happy with the results. He could appreciate the
sheriff's distrust, but he at least was willing to support the two
individuals and defend their right to have the dogs. Jamie thanked
Lucy for bringing two of her dogs into town. The three of us headed
back to the farm and after a brief chat with Jamie, I headed home.
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