January '12 Spotlight Pup- Bear!!!

Owning a German Shepherd is not a simple task, even for the most experienced.  So when Bear went to his third owners at only 3.5 months of age, the Price's knew they were in for a challenge.  Bear was rambunctious, very nippy, very stubborn, but also a very smart pup.  And it is the intelligence that gets these beauties into trouble.  I remember meeting Bear at 6 months of age.  He was notorious for grabbing your hands or your clothing as he raced passed you in a game of keep away.  The Price's called on me for basic manners and excitability.  Bear was a challenge for them.  His stubborn temperament, meant we had to find what made him tick.  He was eager to please when it came to training, and exercise was key for this energetic bundle of joy.  The Price's were determined to make this work and not give up on Bear.  Bill now bikes Bear twice a day regularly to disperse the energy and works with him on basic obedience (you can watch a video below to see his exercise regime during his stay with our pack).  He knows all his basic commands verbally and thru hand signals.  Bear and Bill attended our Pack Walk a couple months ago to work on socializing, excitability during walks, and leash walking behavior.  Bear did exceptionally well.  Time and patience were key to Bear's training and Bill was a great dad for providing it.  Bear you turned out to be a wonderful companion!

December '11 Spotlight Pup

Someone finally hit the turbo button, right Terrie!?

Turbo is our spotlight pup for December. He attended his first BitP walk in November and made his owner Terrie very happy. I have seen such a great improvement in his focus and leash walking behaviors.

Turbo escaped quite a few times when Terrie first adopted him, she worked very hard with him developing his basic obedience and stay commands, though it took many trial and errors to find the right "Kryptonite.". We may have hit a jackpot.

Terrie recounts,"During the summer, the yard guys came to fertilize the yard and forgot to close the back gate. I received a call from a neighbor telling me Turbo was on our front porch. Phone drops. I run to the front door ready to sprint, but Turbo sat and waited to be asked in."
Woohoo, Turbo!!! Way to make mom proud.

In an effort to improve Turbo's social skills he visits with the neighboring dogs almost daily. He even has an occasional play date with Jingle, a friend's yellow lab. He visits the local Petsmart often and is scheduled to participate in a dog sledding class offered by Siberian Husky Assist in western Virginia. Turbo also went to the Lake Ridge Doggie Paddle after Labor Day. He was reluctant to swim at the neighborhood pool, but he enjoyed meeting and playing with most of the dogs there.

Leaps and bounds, Turbo. Leaps and bounds. We at back in the pack are so proud of you and Terrie. Strong bonds and strong leadership have rewarded you!

Athena and Aries

I have the pleasure of announcing Athena and Aries as our spotlight pups for October!

Athena came to us as a behavior modification and basic obedience client almost 3 yrs ago. Typical hyperactivity for a young pup, but as she developed her relationship with her new owners we discovered her anxiety towards other dogs.

Herill and Kat, her owners excelled at obedience, perfect students, and Athena craved training and a leader. It was a match made in heaven. Thru the course of a year Athena met many new dogs, attended group classes, boot camp, festivals, training walks and even dog parks. She has grown and excelled in her training beyond belief. I am very proud of them all.

One thing has been missing in Athena's rehabilitation....a companion. She wanted a playmate, but it always got out of hand. She needed the right dog that matched her personality. After a few mismatches, Athena's answer has come to fruition, Aries.

Aries, was abandoned by his owners and boarder at facility where the workers cared for him. I picked him up from there, and drive him over to Kat and Herill's. This was their first meeting and it was love. Athena was excited, her typical greeting was corrected and the courting period began. Herill was the perfect student/trainer in training. And now two weeks later Athena has the pack mate she always needed. Aries doesn't leave her side, and Athena is smitten. I am very happy for them all. What started out as a fostering for Aries has turned into a family, what better end to a story is there!

Scout About!

Scout is Back in the Pack's Spotlight pup for September. Scout started as a behavior modification case. She is great with her family, but over-protective when it came to other dogs. Any dog that came too close to her mom was in for trouble. We went thru a few lessons with other dogs and she showed great promise. Scout became one of our own, as many of our clients do with a place in our own as a boarder anytime her parents go away. She has become one of the pack in our home, socializing without any problems with my 2 male Shepherds and my female pit bull. She also attends doggie day camp a few times a week to continue her socializing,and has done very well. Her sweet and loving nature makes her another one of my favorites, and why she is BiTP's spotlight pup this month! Way to go Scout! Keep making us proud!






Dari Ferguson
Owner/Head Trainer
www.backinthepack.com

Location:DC/NoVa

Sassy Pants!

Sorry for the delay!! August was Sassy's Spotlight month. She stayed with us on a "vacation" while her parents went away. Sassy was a challenge when we first met her. Sweet as can be with people, but a little "sassy" with other dogs. We started working with her last year and she has been a gold star student ever since. She has come to love my pack as her own, and is doing great on leash and with new dogs she meets while with us. Sassy has spunk. She is a true tom boy, playing with my GSD's without breaking a nail. Her perfectly pushy energy gives my boys a run for their money. Her family has been quoted saying, "Sassy is always a perfect dog with us, after she returns from your place!". What a great compliment, and what a great student Sassy is to show off!!








Dari Ferguson
Owner/Head Trainer
www.backinthepack.com

Location:NoVA

Wonder Dogs!

Let me introduce Wonder and his big sister Millie! I first met Millie last year, when she had problems adjusting to her new home and family, cats, crates, eating...everything. Owners JR and Katya were and are wonderfully responsible pit bull owners who know the stereotypes and were determine to prove the breed otherwise. Millie turned in to an A+ student, learning house manners like a pro. So who did Katya bring home? Wonder! He was just a pup, who had had a rough beginning. Undernourished, scars on his face, hyperactive, no manners, but sweet as can be. He joined the rollerblading club with Millie and was on his way to being a calmer happier pup. He stayed with me a few times to learn how to be a little calmer around new dogs. He attended a group puppy obedience and socialization class I teach at Best Friends Pet Care in Rockville, and by the end of the 6 weeks he was playing with his best friend in class, off leash. He has come a long way, and these two pitties have made a great dent in showing the community how wonderful the breed can be. I'm so proud of you, and your parents Katya and JR. 4 Paws up for Wonder and Millie!

For more about Wonder and Millie visit Oh My Dog