Tia

Sept 7, 2006 - A Lucky Girl Goes Home!

That didn't take long! Lucky Tia found her home and is even coming back to group classes! Goodbye Tia! Be good and show how much you've learned. Not all dogs are as lucky as you!

Sept 1, 2006 - Tia is Here!

Here's Miss Tia! She just arrived from the Amador County shelter. She is a little over a year old and is a very pretty Yellow Lab and Australian Shepherd cross. She weighs about 50 pounds, is very healthy, spayed and current on all vaccinations and heartworm preventative.

Tia was at the shelter for quite some time. She was adopted, but returned after a few days because she was unruly and wanted to play all the time. So the good folks there decided school was in order and here she is in the Second Chance program.

So far, we have found her to be a very happy and social girl. She loves to be with people and has discovered that training can be a lot of fun! She is unruly because she does not know what else to do. Like so many young dogs, all she wants is attention and to be loved. Plus, a little play thrown in is good too! Until now, she has gotten that attention by jumping, barking and running around. What Tia really needed was a job, and now that she is learning how to earn attention, affection and praise she could not be happier.

Getting in trouble is never fun for a dog. In many cases that is why the act so crazy, they just don't know what else to do. But when we take the time to teach them proper behavior in a language they understand, the change they make is amazing. Their energy level drops because they know what to do and how to earn the rewards. After all, that is what dogs are all about, being trusted partners and family members.

The first step is learning to walk calmly beside us on a loose lead. This is called a "heel". Walking is a natural behavior for dogs and that is how they bond with us and each other. The more we walk with them the more the bond strengthens. The heel is a comfortable position, especially when walking in town or busy areas. Of course, there are times to explore and sniff things. Then we're walking with a loose lead also, when the dog feels the lead tighten they remove the tension. We are taking them for the walk, not the other way around. Tia learned this in no time, and is delighted to find out that the more relaxed the walk, the longer the time we're out.

Tia should be ready for her new home in another week or so. She is very bright and eager to please. She is currently housed together with Ellie and Bo, so she is very social and should get along with other dogs. But, as with all young dogs, she needs to be shown was is and is not allowed. She knows what "no" means and will get into trouble if not shown what the rules are. She would do very well and thrive in a family environment where she had her own kids to play with.

If you are considering adding pretty girl to join the family, please think about Tia! Call us at 209 223-3194 or email info@twincedark9.com to set a time to come out and need Miss Tia. She would loved to go for a walk and show off all she's learned!

Update Sept 2, 2006

Tia has so much energy and loves to play so much that we thought we'd let her and Ellie room together in our largest kennel. It is about a half an acre total. Here are her pictures showing how she fared after about 10 minutes with Miss Ellie; it looks like Tia met her match! Think she had fun? Of course, she will come with a complete bath!