Yes, Camp Kayla makes house calls! Sometimes it is better to visit the victim, eh student in his own environment.
It became too late in the day when I realized that I hadn’t taken any pictures! The Florida Aunties would have a fit if I went home without Dutch pix and Julie would kill me. Well—she’d at least fire me. Julie still might fire me because I didn’t think to bring along my good flash. What was I thinking?!
Beverly has done a great job with Dutch. She can maintain his focus most of the time and now that I’ve given her a few tricks out of my magic bag, her goal is to maintain his focus whenever she asks.
What’s there to say about Dutch? He has an excellent temperament, is extremely intelligent and has the potential to become a rock star. Oh yeah—and he looks like Kira, which always scores high in my book. Beverly, if you ever decide that you cannot keep Dutch, or that he is toooooo much for you, I will be first in line to take him off your hands.
Thank you for allowing me to work with Dutch today. It was a pure pleasure.
By the way—for all of you wondering: these pix were taken AFTER I worked Dutch. So yes, he survived my wicked ways. 😉
Carole spent close to three hours with me, and working with Dutch. She is indeed the miracle worker you have all attested to. To simply call her the “Dog Whisperer” is not enough – she is all that, but specializes in our German Shepherd Dog.
First, we sat together and talked, as she made her initial assessment. Dutch was in her face, but her control is unshakeable. When she was ready to work with him, I think he was even more thrilled than I was that she was finally ready to give him attention!
I was completely unprepared to witness Dutch’s performance with Carole. She was able to elicit stellar compliance compared to my handling. All the obedience training and practice is there, but Carole’s approach brings it together like a well-oiled machine. I knew Dutch was excruciatingly intelligent, but as I watched Carole working with him, I realized that with me he often uses that intelligence to control and manipulate. He cannot manipulate Carole. I have spent the past two hours making notes on all the pearls of wisdom she dropped during her visit. I have learned more during her visit than all those weeks of obedience classes. Although he has a strong fount of knowledge, you wouldn’t always know that when I handled him. In contrast, Carole didn’t let anything past her – he was on his best behavior. I also learned that we have only scratched the surface. I will need to find a trainer when I return to MA that I can trust to work with us. In a perfect world, I would have sent Dutch to Carole for 8 weeks before he came to live with us. If I were completely unselfish, I would send him to Camp Kayla, but it is too late. I simply cannot live without him, not even for a few days.
My darling (Dutch, not Scott) is now lying beside me, totally exhausted, thanks to Carole. While he worked hard, it was obvious that he loved every moment. He wanted so much to please her, and responded to her with a joyful enthusiasm that astonished me.
Thank you so much, Carole! While many see you as a miracle worker, I know that you are just another brilliant, gifted, and highly experienced trainer with a passion for the German Shepherd Dog.
He really sounds like his mother. both Gavin and Kira want to please. Kira especially needs to know that you are in charge and that you know what you are doing, then she has your respect and will do anything you ask of her…and do so happily and with much enthusiasm.
Yes, Julie, Dutch is a remarkable combination with qualities of both Gavin and Kira. I now really appreciate how carefully you select sires, even if it means you have to sacrifice Christmas to fly to Germany alone, feasting on a sandwich from a gas station for your holiday dinner!
You’ve nailed it when you said he’d do anything to please a handler who gains his respect – I wish you could have seen him prance for Carole, so thrilled to do anything she asked!
Carole,
You have a “magic bag” and it’s full of tricks? I love those, they can’t be bought on-line or found in a book. They are the lessons of life in people and dogs.
Dutch is a very handsome boy Beverly. I’m sure you will get things going in the right direction with him. 🙂
Terri
He does look like Kira but I also see Gavin in him. Especially in the second photo I see Gavin. He has Kira’s color but more hair coat from Gavin. Beverly, your Dutch might be handsome, but you are gorgeous!
Beverly, you are so fortunate to have had a home visit from Carole. You both look wonderful and happy in the photo’s. Carole…maybe you could post some of your “magic tricks” for the rest of us? I, for one , would love it!
What a great looking pair!
Dutch is beyond stunning. I am obsessed with this Kira x Gavin litter.
Maybe you should get a Bailey(Kira Daughter)/Gavin. 😉
I thinks he looks so much like Kira in the last photo.