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Blaze (Hunter) ... was dog aggressive. I took him to his first obedience class this last fall and started the session far away from the class during instruction and training in the center of the class to keep him away from the other dogs. I didn't want to set him up for failure. By the end of the 8 week session he was doing serpentine and training with the others. We even sat with everybody else... Our next class begins next month. I have done a lot of research on the internet and have talked to many trainers to get this precious boy through his "issues." Other than this problem he is an absolutely PERFECT dog! He is my baby! We hooked him up a couple of times for a short run with my daughters sled dogs and he had a ball!!! Almost forgot to mention...the last night of our class he was awarded a medal for the most improved dog in class (that's the picture I sent on graduation day). 0202

A new picture of Chloe working during a training exercise in Ohio. She just found a brick with traces of blood on it which would be considered evidence at a crime scene. She is coming along nicely as a search dog and my partner and she is a wonderful house dog as well.

We train 3 times a week and in between training sessions she has 2 Dobermans and another Border Collie to play with. Chloe and Miss Jet - the other BC - romp and play almost constantly. Between playing with Jet, herding the cats, herding the Dobermans, Search training, and playing with the humans in the house Chloe is a busy young Border Collie.

As with most all Border Collie's having a job makes a big difference in her attitude and how well she copes in living in a house in town. She is going to be a wonderful working dog, full of promise and love of her job.

I am so glad to have her and I thank Sheila for all the great care she gave Chloe that got her off to such a good start. 0702

Chloe as a pup (above)

Shila (Sila) 0702

Sparks ... We have moved and our new place is just a few hundred feet from Lake Michigan, 40 acres of mostly cedar woods, and we love it here. Sparks is doing great! He has really blossomed and we've gotten past all the learning stages. He is so sweet, we love his hugs and his good spirits. He and Badger play all the time, and Sparks is always under my feet when I'm on the computer, waiting for me to get off the chair and play his favorite game - "dogs on the carpet". One day I was on my hands and knees, doing back exercises, and he dove under me! He is so funny - in the middle of his dive he flops onto his back. Then he lifts his head and licks noses, cheeks, lips, whatever he can reach. He loves it if we walk on all fours and keeps diving to stay under (submissive). Anyway, Jon had to name this game, and now we just have to ask if Sparks wants to be a dog on the carpet and he is always ready - what a personality! He now accepts everyone who comes into the house (adults) and enjoys company. He has many acres to play on, long driveway on a dead-end rural road. We have a pond, too. He doesn't go in unless I do; I think if Badger went in, Sparks would follow, but he doesn't seem interested in leading the way into the pond. He loves alarming the 2 llamas by rushing at their pen from behind an evergreen. I know he would be working sheep pretty well if given enough encouragement. All around great dog! Thank you so much for letting us be his forever mom and dad. We love him so much. 0702

History: Toby loves children, and although his "normal" behavior is very sweet and calm, he tends to become intense or serious during play.

Adoption Date: 7-28-02
Foster Name: Prince
New Name: Kaiser 7-28-02

Prince's owners asked their relative, a shelter employee, to care for him while they moved....after eight weeks, the owner's never attempted to retrieve Prince. He was only 8 months old, quite thin, and his hindquarters showed a decreased muscle mass, due to constant crate time as a developing pup. Considering the lack of care, the employee decided to let GLBCR place Prince with a proper home.

7-30-02 What an outstanding puppy. Kirsten thinks "Prince" is 2nd place. Her immediate family, from German heritage, are named: Kirsten, Kurt, Karl and Karen. Even their dog was named Kraken. Therefore Prince's name is being changed to Kaiser, German for King. He has settled in nicely. Hidden bones, made friends with the neighboring canines, has begun to eat again and his bathroom manners are impeccable. He loves playing Frisbee, however, does not sprint, only lopes. He only run about 1/4 mile.
8-5-02 He's has put on about 2 pounds in the last week. We walk increasingly longer distances in the forest. Gradually we've built that up to about 3 miles. In addition, we play using different types of pull toys and run stairs with him, to strengthen his hind quarters. He is moving towards all out sprints rather then loping. Also, he likes to jump vertically for the Frisbee. This week, we intend to introduce him to agility play as well. Prince socializes with the neighborhood dogs every day. We are slowly introducing him to children. In the park, he loves to chase butterflies. He will stop to watch a squirrel or rabbit run past. Being that he's a puppy, he's is softly reminded verbally to keep moving.
8-14-02 Now weighing in at 48.2, Kaiser's able to run/walk 5 miles. His overall endurance, strength and leaping ability has improved. For the most part, "Stop" ceases all activities and he immediately lies down. Down, off, sit, leash-up, in kennel, etc commands continue to be refined. NO bathroom accidents. But he's still a puppy. Boundless energy. And a Bain to a full nights sleep.
9-6-02 Kaiser now weighs 49.9 pounds. He still loves chasing butterflies. He is now oblivious to any runners, bicyclist or any moving wheeled human. He loves to play with the children at the park (every child has been licked at least 3 times). We have refined the basic commands. This week he begins herding instructions
10-2-02 Kaiser has grown at least an inch and a half and now weighs around fifty pounds. Kaiser's routine is basically going for a mile walk, followed by fetching the Frisbee for about 20 minutes, resting, chow, then we leave for a100 Acres Forest Preserve for off leash work "Goose Herding", investigating every smell, and generally harassing every rodent, butterfly and insect within reach. In the evening, we have 30 minutes for Frisbee and agility work. Kaiser sleeps in our room, with full run of the house. He has not done ANY damage to the house. He can however, de-fluff a stuffed toy in minutes. He is very social, has a Border Collie girlfriend named "Maggie" and plays very well with children. Kaiser is outstanding. Thank you guys.
1-26-03 Seems the days of frolicking, hunting and playing outside isn't the same when it's below 10 degrees. However, indoor play can be fun with your best friend. As you can see, Kaiser and his "friend" Benny the Boxer (also around one) aren't suffering too much indoors.
2-23-03 The Kais is about 53 pounds and about 2" taller. He has been offered a job at a Golf Course to rid them of Geese. He's taking well to it herding, though it's more fun to chase the sheep.

Pepper does not like all of the storms, but then I don't know many dogs that do. He just needs to cuddle during a storm, I have seen dogs react far worse than that. His coat is in wonderful condition, we actually had to trim his bloomers a few weeks ago, the fur was so dense in that area. His tail is unbelievable, it is about the bushiest tail that I have ever seen...He is very, very food motivated. The kitchen is probably his favorite room in the house, he sticks to me like glue when I am cooking. You just never know if you are going to get lucky!

He is a great dog, and we are so very happy to have him in our lives. We are quite fortunate to be sharing our lives with these two great dogs. 0702