The Happy Hound                  

Jakie-Jake is a Blue Tick Hound, born in May 2006.  He's been with me since he was 3 months old, although at first, I thought I was just "fostering" him.  But by the time he was 4 months old, it was clear he was here to stay!

What Jake has taught me:

First, that a puppy who has little patience for appropriate play can become the best play-dog around.  Jake was an ENFANT TERRIBLE in puppy class.  But we worked and worked and worked on bringing emotional self-control into the playground and WOW!  

Jake is now in charge of playing with any small and willing dogs that come visit us, being the friendly big dog in puppy class, keeping the kitty in shape, and helping me with training client dogs to ease on-leash aggression.

The second thing that Jake has taught me is this:  there are breed-specific behaviors that are fairly hard-wired.  Jake's mouth is hard-wired.  He is a hunting dog through and through and when he gets the least bit perked up....he has to vocalize it!  Jake would never make it in a condominium!

But we've learn to manage his vocalizing (mostly). At least to the point where none of the neighbors are complaining. 

The third thing that Jake has taught me is that there are usually acceptable outlets for even the most hard-wired of pooches.  Here's a picture of Jake, quietly watching my neighbor's chickens.  He is neither chasing them or baying at them.  It's all good!