Kalidor Diary, a Year Later

So many people have asked me about Kalidor after having followed my articles about what I did with him week by week as a puppy.  I was so elated that my series won an award with the Idaho Press Club last spring!

He is just over a year old now and I thought an update might be interesting to those that still ask me about him. 

He has grown up to be a very handsome young man with a flowing, shiny long black coat.  Many people don’t really know what breed he is, although in general, long coat German Shepherds, and especially long coat black German Shepherds are being found in more places.

After having spent the first few months doing as much “manners” training as I could and having taken him to the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers in Santa Rosa, CA, Kalidor had a very strong puppy foundation.  The Michael Ellis School taught him about working and how to turn on his working “drive” which has become very useful for his tracking training.  The school was extraordinary for his socialization at an early age.  He learned there that he didn’t have to play with every dog he met which gave him some wonderful self control and manners around other dogs.  He was exposed to everything under the sun during our trip as well – staying in a motel, going potty in all sorts of places, getting out of the car in at least 20 new places to see different sights, smells, sounds, and so many people. The list is endless.  

Then, in February, I had my knee replaced and had to get my pack down to a manageable 3 dogs so I could stay with my daughter after the surgery.  Kalidor and my oldest dog, Mavis went to Clayton, Idaho to spend 3 weeks with a friend of mine.  At her house, there were a bunch of other dogs, cats, and 3 children.  Kids came and went all day.  The experience taught Kalidor even more about how great people and children were.  My only rule was that he couldn’t jump on ANYONE, since I would still be nursing that new knee when he came home.

We spent all summer tracking.  I haven’t done anymore obedience with him since he already knows enough to be a wonderful member of my family that is so easy to live with.  Now, Kalidor’s nose is always on the ground checking for scent which I love!!!!  By spring, if we can do some more tracking in the snow before then, he should be ready to go to a trial to earn his first title.

The important things I focused on this past year was teaching him to be social with dogs, horses and people while maintaining self control. He learned he can still work and behave in any environment or if there are new dogs, horses, etc. There is nothing worse than a large breed dog that has no self control that can hurt their owner or other people with jumping and over enthusiasm. He has learned impeccable house manners that keep him from counter surfing, charging out the door, running over me knocking me over, and coming 99% of the time I call him.  In fact, I can’t think of one time when he didn’t come when I called him.  He has chewed on the house once, and he has learned on his own how to open cabinets.  While he can open the cabinet door where the trash is, he hasn’t stolen any trash… yet!!!  And, he lost his “Puppy pass” in September with the older dogs, where they finally started enforcing appropriate respectful behavior from him.

Is he perfect?  Almost!  But, what is important is the foundation I gave him as a young puppy.  Especially with German Shepherds, you cannot wait until they are older and start to see problems to start socializing and teaching manners.  With any dog, the earlier you start training and teaching them your expectations, the more wonderful they are to live with!