We are excited about our newest Boot Camp recruit Hershey, a  2 year old black Lab/mix.  This is also Stiggys Dogs first North Carolina dog and foster Mom, Tara Casebolt. Please follow us along as we train Hershey and prepare her for her new ‘recipient’. (More on our veteran later..) 

I am here now in North Carolina (from Michigan) to insure the proper beginning, meet Hershey and start Tara off on our training process.

Read the rest here…

We spent some time at the park last night, Joe and I, going through the Canine Good Citizen practice test with Bella. She was wonderful, as usual, but still did not pass the 3 minute test. This is what we have been working on, but I can say that Bella made it 2 minutes and 30 seconds…..which is a huge improvement!!!

The 3 minute test is where you hand your dog off to a stranger, ask them to watch your dog and walk away. We need to see that Bella can stay in command with others while we are not in sight. 3 minutes can be a loooooong time.

This is so hard for me to write but it is long overdue.

I admit defeat. What started out as my ‘business plan’ has changed many times, I have learned many lessons and Big Stig is one of them. I knew then that not every dog would work, not every dog could pass the Canine Good Citizen, and not every dog we match up will work, etc. You think all these through while setting up your business (and it’s a good thing to!) However, I was certainly not prepared that one of these things would happen on our first dog.

I wont go into the whole story of how we got him (you can read older posts).  I didn’t meet Big before agreeing to take him on, going against my business plan. Everything I was told (2-3 years old, well temperament tested, neutered, updated on shots, etc) was the complete opposite.  I remember thinking that I was confident and passionate enough to make this work. I dedicated many hours (also blogged) with different trainers for months. There was also a terrible “incident” that happened to Stig that I believed caused (most) of his recent ‘reactive’ temperament. (That is a whole other story). And finally, I believe I am part of the reason for his ‘backslide’…..let me explain. Read the rest here…

Jamey sent me this video along with a great email on how funny Tiger is about getting dried off after his bath. Tiger LOVES his ears rubbed (apparently) and he also has a lot of ear wax(ewe), but look at the love and care…..

I was prepared to laugh when I watched the video, but when I saw the look  in Tigers eyes as he looked up to Jamey………………been crying ever since!!

We received an email from Cammy Simmons (who had played in the Stiggys Dogs Softball Tournament last September) asking how she could send donations in lieu of flowers to us in honor of her father-in-law…

Army Vietnam Veteran Jeffery “Dan” Simmons (54) passed away suddenly Oct 3rd, 2010.

Marie Simmons, wanted to choose a charity for flowers to be sent, and Cammy instantly thought of Stiggy’s Dogs.  Cammy said that the whole family are dog lovers, having all four of them together on visits was common.

Our thoughts, love,  and strength are with you and your family. We are honored and proud to be to be a part of his tribute.

Flowers Funeral Home Obituary for Jeffery \”Dan\” Simmons