Erik told Doug and Barbara that Goosey might be a match for Pearl, who had displayed alpha dog tendencies during two previous German Shepherd visits to their home. “German Shepherds are social dogs and need to interact with people. When Doug and I approached Goosey at the shelter, he eagerly responded to our hugs and attention. I felt as if he was looking at us for a sign that we were going to take him with us. Doug made the first move, and said that he wanted Goosey,” said Erik.
Caos, fka Goosey was pulled from LaBelle Shelter, fostered by Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue and successfully re-homed.
Doug promised Erik that he would bring Goosey in for training. “No matter who adopts a dog, the dog has to learn respect, love and acceptance. We don’t know what the dog has seen or been previously subjected to. We don’t know his triggers, his level of obedience, his ability to learn or his predisposition to behavioral problems. These things take time to appear, and it is only through socialization training that behaviors can be modified.” Goosey, now known as Caos, and Doug signed up for basic dog obedience at the Peace River Dog Fanciers Club where Diane and Erik volunteer as trainers. A few weeks later, that emaciated pup was transformed into a handsome,
60 THE NEW BARKER
full-framed, ears-up, eyes-engaged adult. He stood by Doug’s side, staring up at him and responding to his every word. There was love, adoration and respect between this well-oiled team. This dog, once a candidate for euthanization, was now living the good life with his new family.” Kimbo: Hello. Goodbye. Hello Again. One thing is certain with a German Shepherd – either you are in charge, or the dog will be. There is little gray in their linear thought processes. The GSD will make snap decisions, which can obviously lead to major problems. Kimbo’s owner was not in charge. “German Shepherds evaluate each situation in a manner that is germain to their predisposition to action. Aggressive dogs may bark while passive dogs may cower. Temperament and training affect action and reaction, and with Kimbo, it was always going to be his decision with little regard for his owner’s feelings. The dog never developed respect for his owner, which caused each situation to be stressful, and eventually totally unmanageable for her,” said Erik. “Kimbo outwardly was as beautiful as any Kin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x?&\?Y?\? [H??Z[????]?\ Z[?? ?Y?HY?]?\??Y[?X??\?H??] ? ??Y?]?[ X][??H??]?\???YH?\?X[??\\??\??YH[?[ ???H?[Z[ H??Y[??Z]?X?X[???[X?? ?\? ?KZ?YY ?H?X]?[Z[ K[?\?]?[?? H???Y?K?B???[Z[ H?????[??K H??[??] ?Y]?\???\?X[??\\? ??Y KX???^ \??YYH[??Y [?]\? ?[X[??\\? ??Y? ???\???]H ???]?\???YH?\?X[??\\??\??YK?[\?X?]M K?M?K? ? ?? ?\?] ????????\??YK???B???X[?H[?\?Z???\?[? Z\????????S?]?\??\????B??