German Shepherd dog

This is a brag on my boy and encouragement to anyone who has a dog with "issues".

First, let me say that Urro is a real sweetheart of a dog. Unfortunately, he has MAJOR issues both in health and temperament. He has bi-lateral elbow dysplasia and advancing spondylosis of the spine. No major symptoms yet thank goodness! And as far as nerves goes, well lets just say that Urro is the posterchild for a dog with thin nerves! Early last fall I was ready to completely give up hope of EVER being able to get him in the obedience ring. He was terrified of new places, new people, loud noises etc etc. He wouldn't take food from anyone that he didn't know very well and wouldn't allow a stranger to get close enough to touch him. He did great obedience for me and was such a willing and happy fellow if it was just the two of us, but take him out to a new place and he completely fell apart. He wouldn't hesitate to BOLT if a loud noise appeared behind us which could be a real problem if he was off-leash and of course the stand for exam by the judge was completely out of the question, LOL.

So early last fall I decided to quit training completely and focus solely on socializing and going new places. Everyday he went somewhere new. I took him to probably 50 new places and had 100's of people to feed him treats. Slowly but surely he began to see new people as treat dispensing machines and although new places never really lost their "scaryness" they did become just a tad less traumatizing. Every dog show within a few hours driving distance we were at walking around for hours each day and stayed in many a motel so we could go back the next day when he would settle down a bit. The first few shows he walked around with his tail tucked so far up between his legs that it was probably touching his chin, LOL but eventually they became not so bad after all...

Along the way, he got his CGC, TDI, & took him to meet some sheep and he got his HIC. The next big step was entering him in 3 days of on-lead Rally at a 3 day show. He earned his RN in 3 shows with very good scores. By early March he had gotten to the point that he no longer was bolting, instead was looking to me for guidance if something scared him and I knew he was as ready as he was ever going to be for real obedience. So, I entered him in 3 back to back weekend shows these last 3 weeks, 6 days, 6 shows for his CD. I am proud to say that my sweet, scared of his own shadow little boy passed with flying colors! 6 shows, 6 Qualifying scores!!! 5 placements, mostly 2nds in tough classes of up to 30 entries and he was always high scoring GSD in trial. Very respectable cores of 194.5, 195, 193.5, 195.5, 194.5 & 196.5 He also qualified for the FFX Gold Award!

We are now going to start working on OPEN and go on to Utility if his Elbows and Spine hold up so keep your fingers crossed for us! He is not CURED of course, the nerve issues are still there just below the surface and will show thru from time to time but he has made some REAL progress these last 7 or 8 months. He has become more confident in the world in general and a happier dog overall. I want to encourage anyone who has a dog with issues not to give up on them, if Urro can make this kind of progress, ANY DOG CAN!!!!

This of course would not apply to a SchH dog,  Urro wouldn't make it on the SchH field, of course.   But for anyone reading this who has a pet or akc obedience dog....  Keep plugging along!

Sorry to hear about Urro's health issues.I remeber him as being an awsome looking dog.Congrats on all your accomplishments with him.

Congrats to you and Urro.  It took special dedication on your part for Urro to have these accomplishments. 

That's fantastic news about Urro!!   I know how much hard work and dedication you've put into him..   You should be very proud of what you two have accomplished!! 

This speaks volumes about you as a person and a trainer.    You have done a great job with him.  I looked at his picture on the database, he is a handsome boy.   I'm sorry he has health issues, even so I know he must be a very special dog.

I cant help but know that     Max von Strphanitz is looking down with a gleam in his eye......

" All the wonderful qualities of character possessed by a good shepherd dog will therefore only be brought to light when he remains in the same hands for a very long time, preferably from puppyhood , where having obtained a feeling in the  house, he shares the joys and sorrows of the family and our dog is completely ruined in mind and body whenever he is treated only as merchandise..."

Thanks for the kind words everyone.  He is a just a super boy & I'm very proud of him....