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lab

My Training Inspiration

January 10, 2017 14 Comments

My Training Inspiration

I had half of this post written thinking I knew who my training inspiration was. I wrote about Mauja and Atka and how their pyr nature pushed me to be a better trainer. I wrote how they forced me to learn new techniques, change my habits, and get creative. I went on and on about them until it hit me: they weren’t my first training inspiration.

Kaeto was.

If you’ve been around here awhile, you know a bit about Kaeto. Kaeto was the first dog my husband and I got together – he’s what truly made us a family. After moving across the country and away from family, we knew we couldn’t be without a dog. So, we headed to the local shelters and immediately fell in love with Kaeto.

It's Dog or Nothing

His different colored eyes, his freckles, and his half floppy ears – I couldn’t resist that face. He was extremely malnourished and had obviously had zero training. At about a year of age, he didn’t know how to sit or even his own name. He came home with us later that day.

Over the next few weeks, we slowly started to realize the extent of his “issues”. While the shelter told us he wasn’t leash-reactive, he definitely was. They also told us he was great with other dogs, which he wasn’t. He was far too excited and didn’t know how to handle his emotions, which often turned into aggression. He also had terrible separation anxiety and chewed his way through a metal crate in less than a half hour.

I quickly realized why he was relinquished by not one, but two families. However, I knew he wasn’t going anywhere. He was ours and ours to stay.

It's Dog or Nothing
If he couldn’t sit on my lap, he would nap like this 😉

Since we had just moved and were only supposed to be in that location for 5 months, I didn’t get a job. This gave me ample time to work with Kaeto. I knew how to teach basic commands, but Kaeto’s needs went far past that. I can’t even remember the number of books I read and hours I spent online researching and learning.

We were out and about every day. Kaeto taught me how to exercise a dog on a bike and just how much energy a dog can have. He taught me how to be patient. He taught me how to get out of my comfort zone. He taught me more than I can possibly say.

Kaeto lived with us for less than a year before he very unexpectedly passed away. I still remember that day like it happened in slow motion and am tearing up as I write this.

It's Dog or Nothing
Kaeto and Mauja <3

Thanks to Kaeto, I learned how to work on so many skills, including leash-reactivity, over-excitement, separation anxiety, and overall socialization. He pushed me to my limits and there were days I cried and cried because I was so overwhelmed.

But thanks to Kaeto, I now have the confidence to take on “tough cases”. I’ve built a foundation for dealing with difficult behavioral issues. I can help save more dogs.

So, here’s to Kaeto – my true training inspiration. We miss you every day <3

Filed Under: Pyr Paw Around, What's New Tagged With: blog hop, husky, lab, mix, rescue, shelter, training

Celebrating National Mutt Day with Kaeto

December 2, 2015 8 Comments

Before Mauja and Atka, an adorably high-maintenance husky/lab mix entered our lives. He was presumed to be about a year of age and had been bounced around his first year of life. When Nick and I went searching for our first dog as a married couple, we found Kaeto at the local shelter. He cautiously approached the edge of the kennel with his ears pulled back and his tail tucked under, but it only took a few minutes for him to lean in for some ear rubs. We were hooked.

Kaeto's "Gotcha" picture. In our car and leaving the shelter!
Kaeto’s “Gotcha” picture. In our car and leaving the shelter!

We asked the shelter workers if we could take Kaeto out to the meet and greet area and we were able to see his personality emerge. He sprinted around, jumped on us, and tried to crawl in our laps. We knew he was going to be a handful, but he had a way of capturing your heart.

He went home with us that day.

National Mutt Day

As many of you know, Kaeto passed away a short 8 months later. The vets believed a blood clot in the brain was the cause, but at the time it was too painful to investigate further. We were just thankful to have that time with him.

So today, National Mutt Day, is for you, Kaeto. It’s for you and all of the other mixed breeds in shelters across the world.

Mauja and Kaeto
Mauja and Kaeto

Because of you, I became extremely interested in training and understanding dog behavior.

Because of you, I learned more in those 8 months than I ever thought possible.

I was sick that day, but was in great hands ;)
I was sick that day, but was in great hands 😉

Because of you, I learned techniques for reactivity, resource guarding, and separation anxiety.

Because of you, I understand the meaning of “velcro dog”.

He had to get creative when he couldn't sit on my lap ;)
He had to get creative when he couldn’t sit on my lap 😉

Because of you, Mauja came into our lives (and now she has a particular love for huskies).

I’m sorry you left this world so early, but because of you, my life was changed forever.

The last picture I ever took of Kaeto.
The last picture I ever took of Kaeto.

Has a special mutt changed your life?

Filed Under: Pyr Paw Around, What's New Tagged With: dog, husky, lab, mixed breed

The Head Tilt

August 22, 2014 23 Comments

I have been thinking a lot about Kaeto lately. Kaeto was the first dog my husband and I had as a couple. We had gone to several shelters in the local area and just couldn’t seem to get Kaeto out of our minds.

He was a crazy pants, but we loved him. He was such a unique dog with a fantastic personality. [Read more…] about The Head Tilt

Filed Under: Fluffy Life Tagged With: dog, husky, lab, mix, rescue, shelter

How to Help a Dog with Separation Anxiety

May 29, 2014 16 Comments

Separation anxiety can be a tricky thing with dogs. You figure they’re house broken, so you leave them in the kitchen while you’re gone. When you come back, there’s pee on the floor and the cabinets are chewed. You’re angry and so you decide next time you will kennel your dog while you’re gone. Your dog then chews through his kennel and barks the whole time you’re gone annoying the neighbors. At your wits end, you decide to leave your dog outside while you’re gone. Your dog either digs up the yard or escapes.

Anyone ever been through this? [Read more…] about How to Help a Dog with Separation Anxiety

Filed Under: Healthy, Happy Dog Tagged With: dog, husky, lab, mixed breed, rescue, shelter, training

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