A New "Leash" on Life
By Randi Bildner
The Best Friends Training Partners Program has done an incredible job of uniting wonderful trainers with dogs in need.
Training partners are very special people who run the gamut – from working miracles with their incredible techniques to simply providing dogs with something they may have never had – love.
The knowledge and expertise exhibited by these trainers has been evident in each interview for the Training Partner stories. But, in addition to this, I have encountered something unexpected: a genuine sense of pride and love for these dogs. Each time I speak with a trainer, the sense that, their dog – their partner, is special has been conveyed.
Through our warm, fun and caring conversations it has been understood that each dog has been considered an individual.
To no one's surprise, the majority of the dogs involved in the program are pit bulls or other poorly maligned breeds. The Training Partners themselves, through their zealous and creative actions, are working to change this perception.
Training Partners have educated the public by bringing out the best in their dogs. The training provided has proven that dogs who may have been considered hopeless by some can make wonderful companions.
The trainers have been successful at giving these dogs a fresh start –spreading the word, literally showing them off!
Training Partner, Susan Strough, is a perfect example of the professionalism and dedication of the men and women in this program. Strough, who said she considers it a privilege to be part of the program, thinks that her partner, Dozer –a senior pit bull, is a very special boy.
Strough was able to share her feelings about Dozer in a big way, by getting him air time on TV. Dozer along with his foster brother Chase, a German Shepherd mix appeared on an adoption spot on Good Morning Texas. "He did very well on television; he behaved, sat, shook hands and gave kisses.” Adding that Dozer was also extremely quiet, Strough mentioned that the host of the show said, “I have never seen a pit bull sit up and shake hands before.”
Before coming under the care of Best Friends, Dozer led a sad life. He was picked up with a group of fifty chained dogs who were part of a hoarding situation.
Dozer may not have had it easy for his first 8 plus years but Strough is doing everything she can to make life good now.
Stating continuously “he is just precious” throughout the interview, she continued by saying, "Dozer is so awesome, everybody who meets him loves him.”
Strough says her husband is in love with him too. “He talks about him all the time and tells me that Dozer is chilly and I need to buy him a sweatshirt. One day we dressed him up as an Irish Cowboy and another day as an Angel. He is so tolerant and doesn't care at all what we ask him to wear; he would wear a tutu as long as there are treats involved.”
Susan Strough’s training and boarding facility, Canines First, is located in Dallas, Texas. Strough, who is the sole trainer and behavior evaluator, does employ several people whose jobs are to make sure that the dogs are happy healthy clean and have a good time.
Dogs come for day care but, Strough stresses, “It is not free run, there is always training involved.” The facility has a limit of ten dogs and offers several types of training.
Strough says of Dozer, “He has progressed very well, learning to sit, stay, heel, down, lay and leave it. Her husband agrees saying, “He has come very far and just keeps getting better.”
Dozer did have quite a marking problem when he arrived, which Strough proudly announced – "has gone from 100% to 20%, after he urinated on every square inch of the facility."
Strough is working on Dozer’s dog aggression problem. “I train him right next to my other foster dog and he could care less about acting aggressively.” Strough is hopeful that eventually Dozer will socialize without muzzle.
She shared a very sweet story about Dozer’s creative ability to play despite being crated. A black lab mix presented a toy outside of Dozer's crate, and then the two dogs, Dozer and the lab played tug o' war through the crate!
Strough goes on to say that pit bulls have not been the majority of the breed that she has worked with. Stating, “I have only worked with a handful, but If Dozer is a representation I don't know how I will live without one. I enjoy enriching his life and he is enriching mine too. He really is an ambassador for his breed.”
Strough says that Dozer likes to sleep. She says she will miss him when he is adopted but feels, “He deserves a home with a mommy, a daddy and a couch.”
In addition to his television spot, Strough is advertising for a good home for Dozer on her website.
She mentioned that one application had been sent to a potential adopter, but she did not hear back and assumes her terms are too strict.
Strough summed up our conversation by telling me, “Dozer is lying in my lap, he is the sweetest baby. He did not deserve to be tied on a chain for the better part of his years.” Strough is working very hard to see that the rest of his life is filled with as much joy as he brings to her.
When speaking of her facility Strough wanted to add, “All dogs are welcome here any breed or temperament. This is a place for those that others won't take, a refuge for the unwanted."
For more about Susan Strough, Dozer and Canines First, go to
http://www.susanstrough.com/charity.html