Q1 Sponsor Update: A Busy Center and a Bright Future

SPONSOR A DOG

FIRST QUARTER UPDATE

With the beginning of the new year, 4 of the 5 dogs featured here have started advanced training. This is a big adjustment for them, and it takes a little time to settle into their new routines.

It’s an adjustment for our team, too. Our mature dogs have recently graduated, so the training center is now mostly filled with newer dogs. Many of our offices also serve as dog spaces, and some staff members have four or more dogs sharing their area.

Some days it feels like the dogs are running the show—especially when we open an office gate and they all try to exit at once! (They’re learning that only one dog goes out at a time, not four.)

The challenges of working out of a business park will be a thing of the past when our new training center is up and running.

SDV CARL

Carl is a dream. He is calm, handsome, thoughtful and unfazed by other dogs, noise, or distractions of any sort. He keeps getting bigger and at 8 months of age is already a large boy. Carl’s calm nature makes it easy for him to learn because he is not stressed by anything. We can’t wait to have him in for advanced training though he is still living and learning with his puppy raiser. We have hopes that Carl could become our first stud dog and help produce lovely, calm puppies.

SDV DODGER

Dodger has been displaying a Jekyll and Hyde personality. At home he is Dr. Jekyll- the picture of gentleness, walks nicely on leash, shows calm affection and loves to hang out with his people. In the training center he is Mr. Hyde- a full of energy, hard driving dog. He plays very roughly with the other dogs to the point where they try to correct him, though he rarely listens. Because he is smart and young, we are confident that as he matures, he will more consistently display his Dr. Jekyll personality around other dogs and in the work environment.

SDV KONA

Kona came in for advanced training very early because he was having digestive issues that were difficult to manage for his last 2 caregivers. His present home has other dogs for him to play with in a large, fenced yard, a consistent routine, and a calm environment. We also changed his food and Kona is doing quite well. He is a very sweet dog who wants to be with “his person” at all times but he can also work for others. He is just one year old so has another year to learn his lessons as well as how to get along in the world, but he is off to a fine beginning now that his tummy is feeling better.

SDV MULLIGAN

Mulligan is a beautiful girl who is fun to train. She is fearless on any surface and in all locations. She particularly enjoys jumping on the things that move, like the flat carts in Lowe’s. She currently needs to wear a head halter for loose leash walking because she has a tendency to pull vigorously on lead. Wearing it, she is angelic. Hopefully we can wean her away from needing it as she learns to control her impulse to pull. It must be hard to walk at the speed of a person when you are a strong, young Labrador. In training her retrieve, an important basis for many skills, her trainer has had to begin with a stick from a tree because she refused to put anything else in her mouth.

SDV SADIE

Sadie is among the smartest dogs to come through our program. She is a fast learner, absorbs the names for things quickly, and could train all day long. When training, you can see Sadie thinking while she sorts out what her trainer is asking of her. In the office, Sadie has some anxiety if a person is not present, even if other dogs are there. She is getting better at understanding that we always return. Sadie is under consideration as a breeding candidate for her intelligence and work ethic and we will see how she matures over the next year.

A Valentine’s Gift With Purpose

If you’re looking for a meaningful Valentine’s Day gift, give a dog sponsorship as a gift and invite someone special to be part of that dog’s success story. You and your recipient will receive quarterly updates on the dogs in training, plus additional gifts based on the sponsorship level you choose.

Give a gift that truly matters this Valentine’s Day—sponsor a dog.