Took my camera to the latest training session w/Radar...

[centrop67]

We've been working several weeks on counter-conditioning with Radar's reactivity issues.

The list of things he doesn't react to is small - let's just say he's hyper sensitive to things that move, and even some things that don't.


I still can't believe how gorgeous this breed is, and I love the compliments from strangers.


As you can see, Radar's focus is intense.


He can be a little 'Goofy' too. In fact, that was his shelter name.


He can relax - sometimes. I also like that his brindle is starting to show more and more.


Somebody must have said CHEESE.


When we started, Radar would go into frenzy over another dog even 50 yards away.


The Lab is Lily, and she is a huge bundle of energy.


I wish I knew what Radar was thinking here.


This is really close, I guess we're doing something right.


Oops! Radar jerks towards Lily here. I guess he can't be perfect.


Great focus Radar!


What's next Mommy?


A moment of relief/victory. Radar has lost all reactivity to Lily as my wife greets the trainer.

[alspyce]

Very nice!!!!!! Good Job!

[Dutchringgirl]

Great !!!!!

[Sugars Mom]

[Olie]

Good boy Radar! :wtg
His reactiveness reminds me on Olly..Everything catches his attention, and it's hard to focus him back.

He is also very handsome!! :love

[Ted Summers]

awesome!!!!! I'm not familiar with your story but I assume you guys adopted him and he's be taught to get what he wants with conflict. All these guys are a clear example of why socialization (with dutchies, mali, and working GSDs) is so important. One of my training exercises is I take the Mali and the dutchie to the "german shepherd walk" every sunday. We're only non GSDs there but it's a group of about 15-25 GSDs that are non dog reactive. My guys just assume all dogs are that way.

[leih merigian]

Great job!!!

[centrop67]

awesome!!!!! I'm not familiar with your story but I assume you guys adopted him and he's be taught to get what he wants with conflict. All these guys are a clear example of why socialization (with dutchies, mali, and working GSDs) is so important. One of my training exercises is I take the Mali and the dutchie to the "german shepherd walk" every sunday. We're only non GSDs there but it's a group of about 15-25 GSDs that are non dog reactive. My guys just assume all dogs are that way.

Radar is a rescue. I was looking for a GSD mix, and I wasn't familiar with DS until after the adoption. He was scheduled to go to the local shepherd rescue because big black dogs have a hard time getting rescued, but I can't imagine anyone seeing his face wouldn't instantly fall in love.

He had a softball-sized burn on the left side of his body and smaller burn spots on various parts of his body. I can't imagine he had a very good life before meeting us. He was house-trained, and would sit on command straight from the shelter, so someone did take the time to begin training him.

You can see in my "CHEESE" picture there's still a horseshoe scar where the hair hasn't fully grown back, but I think we are really starting to see both the physical and emotional wounds healing in him. He's ~15 months old now, and we picked him up last November.

He's been with us for a few months only, but I've warned him he's stuck with us. Good or bad, all we can do is love him to death.

[Maggie Fan]

Did you rescue Radar from Miami-Dade Animal Shelter? There was a young boy there a couple months ago with the burn scars like you described (and I can see some in the pictures still) that I was planning on taking in as a foster but he was adopted.

[centrop67]

Did you rescue Radar from Miami-Dade Animal Shelter? There was a young boy there a couple months ago with the burn scars like you described (and I can see some in the pictures still) that I was planning on taking in as a foster but he was adopted.

We got Radar in November from the Miami-Dade shelter. I don't think he's the same dog. I am concerned that there might be a pattern in these dogs coming there burned. My vet was telling us that there's some people who think dumping hot motor oil on the dogs keeps fleas and ticks away.

[Maggie Fan]

I think it's the same boy... The one I'm referring to was there in November as well.





The pictures were taken by one of the MDAS volunteers while he was at the shelter.

[Maggie Fan]

And here was his kennel sheet... the volunteers loved him!

[centrop67]

Yes. That's Radar (They called him Goofy). I remember he was the only dog with the writing like that on the kennel sheet. I am relieved it's not more than one burned dog.

He was so scrawny, and we wanted to get him to our vet right away. We had to wait two days, a Monday holiday and for him to get fixed, but he is now VERY healthy, active, and we love him.

[feraloup]

Yayyyy! Awesome work! I love hearing updates like this, your work with Radar and progress stories about Odin keep giving me the added boosts and encouragement I need as I work through reactivity issues with Moko! *applauds* Preview of coming attractions to keep me positive as we work toward getting where you are. Keep up the great work and updates!

[centrop67]

Preview of coming attractions to keep me positive as we work toward getting where you are.

I understand. It was/is a long road. We are still working towards some consistency.

Of course, the general public doesn't help, and our bi-daily walks can be quite interesting.