How I First Got Interested in Dogs

I was living alone in my apartment next to a very noisy frat house at college. I decided I wanted a companion. So, I took one of the first free puppies born on a farm in the area that I could find. Her name was Sasha Dog, and she had more energy than any 15 dogs should have had. But I was young, and I could ride my bike far and fast and make her run. She lived to be 17 1/2. I still miss her, but at 80, I’m very pleased to say I now have a very calm dog.

Training My First German Shepherd

Got my first German Shepherd and wanted to learn how to train him. At 6 months of age, I started a Basic Obedience Group Class. The instructor was a retired Air Force K-9 person, and I learned a lot, but it was all Compulsion using a Choke Chain.

I then learned how to do the CD, which is the AKC’s basic obedience, and titled him. Even though he was a dog aggressive dog, I worked very hard at it, and he passed his CD. Then he earned his CDX.

Then I began going out with some police K-9 people and learned how to track the police way. Then I learned to train a dog in Protection work. After that, I began training in Schutzhund, a German dog sport with Tracking, Obedience, and Protection work. I have been doing Schutzhund and training dogs for police departments ever since. If you have the will, you will find a way to learn.

Defining 'Activities'

When it comes to activities involving dogs, some of the top options include training, therapy, and companion animals. These activities not only keep our furry friends entertained and engaged but also provide numerous benefits to their owners and the community as a whole.

How I Was Born into It

I was kind of born into it. I was about two weeks old when my grandfather was gifted a GSD/CO mix puppy to celebrate the firstborn grandchild. I grew up with Mars and was bossing around all the neighborhood dogs by the time I was two years old. Canines have been my passion ever since!

Find Escape and Healing through Canines

I needed some escape from PTSD, and there was a veterans' dog training group for people like me. I walked in the front door of the group, learned how to train myself and my dog, and 11 years later, I found the door out with the same dog at my side and started my own Veterans with PTSD dog group.

Introducing Myself to K-9s

My dad kept field trial hunters in a run in the backyard, and I introduced myself to them as soon as I could toddle over, escaping from Mom. Trye would take the dirt I offered him on my tiny shovel, go around the doghouse from me, and spit it out. Mom told me when I got older.