Sometimes, things just fall into place like they were meant to be.
Here's my story of how Oscar and me crossed paths and became best of friends.
I lost my old boxer, Jack, to a stroke very suddenly on 26th December 2005. It was a real shock for the whole family.
Jack was the last of the gang. I had always attempted to get a new dog every 5 years but this theory had lapsed due to work commitments etc. So the long and the short of it was I was left dogless and it was hurting. My wife, Nancy, suggested that we have a cooling off period and live without a dog for a year or so just to see what it's like. 3 months later I was chapping neighbours doors and walking their dogs for them. Everybody asked when I was getting another dog but I just shrugged the question and said "Nancy wont let me".
I then got to thinking about owning another rottie. I mentioned to Nancy who was adamant that we should wait a while before diving into the doggie frying pan again. Anyway, boys will be boys and Internet connections can be dangerous things when you're at a loose end. I starting surfing around the rottie sites and came across a site displaying breeders in Scotland.
I ended up calling a breeder who had big robust rotties with noble heads and good construction. The breeder didn't have any puppies available but recommended that I call Margaret Connolly from Armagret Rottweilers.
So, without consulting Nancy, I gave Margaret a call. Margaret's a rough diamond who shoots from the hip and calls a spade a shovel but she's a knowledgeable breeder who genuinely wants what's best for her dogs. Anyway, Margaret interrogated me for half an hour then stated that she had a young 7 month old dog being returned to her that may be eligible for rehoming. Margaret sells all her puppies with a contract that states any unwanted dogs must be returned to her. So to cut a long story short, Nancy, myself and Louis went up to see this puppy. The minute I saw him, I knew he was for me. Bursting with character, full of life and oozing enthusiasm. Oscar's not the perfect specimen but he's everything I look for in a rottie. He has a big noble head, a strong shoulder and stands like he owns the world. He has a air of confidence and a smile that's infectious.
Oscar had not been handled. To be honest I think he was just too much dog for his former owners and I think they tried their best with him. I've had Oscar for over a year now and he's an amazing dog. He's intelligent, honest and just loves everyone. Oscar's passed his kennel club good citizen award and will retrieve and track to a high standard. Oscar's trained to the whistle and just loves to work. He loves carrying things, tidying up toys in the garden, waiving bye bye and he really aims to please. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened to Oscar if I hadn't made the call to Margaret that day.
The other side of things is that Oscar has revived my thirst for training dogs again. He's demanding and forces me to train with focus. I've trained Oscar using clicker and positive methods and I've had to up my game to get the best out of him.
I don't train Oscar as such.It's more like I teach Oscar to do things. I just indicate roughly what I want and shape the behaviour until I get the desired result. When he sees the clicker , he knows that it's learning time and he's always up for it. Oscar's taught me a lot about training and I owe so much of my skill to him.
I think fate has brought me and Oscar together. I think we have a win win situation - long may it continue. Click on the play button to view Oscar in action.
Here's my story of how Oscar and me crossed paths and became best of friends.
I lost my old boxer, Jack, to a stroke very suddenly on 26th December 2005. It was a real shock for the whole family.
Jack was the last of the gang. I had always attempted to get a new dog every 5 years but this theory had lapsed due to work commitments etc. So the long and the short of it was I was left dogless and it was hurting. My wife, Nancy, suggested that we have a cooling off period and live without a dog for a year or so just to see what it's like. 3 months later I was chapping neighbours doors and walking their dogs for them. Everybody asked when I was getting another dog but I just shrugged the question and said "Nancy wont let me".
I then got to thinking about owning another rottie. I mentioned to Nancy who was adamant that we should wait a while before diving into the doggie frying pan again. Anyway, boys will be boys and Internet connections can be dangerous things when you're at a loose end. I starting surfing around the rottie sites and came across a site displaying breeders in Scotland.
I ended up calling a breeder who had big robust rotties with noble heads and good construction. The breeder didn't have any puppies available but recommended that I call Margaret Connolly from Armagret Rottweilers.
So, without consulting Nancy, I gave Margaret a call. Margaret's a rough diamond who shoots from the hip and calls a spade a shovel but she's a knowledgeable breeder who genuinely wants what's best for her dogs. Anyway, Margaret interrogated me for half an hour then stated that she had a young 7 month old dog being returned to her that may be eligible for rehoming. Margaret sells all her puppies with a contract that states any unwanted dogs must be returned to her. So to cut a long story short, Nancy, myself and Louis went up to see this puppy. The minute I saw him, I knew he was for me. Bursting with character, full of life and oozing enthusiasm. Oscar's not the perfect specimen but he's everything I look for in a rottie. He has a big noble head, a strong shoulder and stands like he owns the world. He has a air of confidence and a smile that's infectious.
Oscar had not been handled. To be honest I think he was just too much dog for his former owners and I think they tried their best with him. I've had Oscar for over a year now and he's an amazing dog. He's intelligent, honest and just loves everyone. Oscar's passed his kennel club good citizen award and will retrieve and track to a high standard. Oscar's trained to the whistle and just loves to work. He loves carrying things, tidying up toys in the garden, waiving bye bye and he really aims to please. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened to Oscar if I hadn't made the call to Margaret that day.
The other side of things is that Oscar has revived my thirst for training dogs again. He's demanding and forces me to train with focus. I've trained Oscar using clicker and positive methods and I've had to up my game to get the best out of him.
I don't train Oscar as such.It's more like I teach Oscar to do things. I just indicate roughly what I want and shape the behaviour until I get the desired result. When he sees the clicker , he knows that it's learning time and he's always up for it. Oscar's taught me a lot about training and I owe so much of my skill to him.
I think fate has brought me and Oscar together. I think we have a win win situation - long may it continue. Click on the play button to view Oscar in action.
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