May 2018 Dog of the Month – Odie

Our May 2018 dog of the month has to be one of our most unusual clients.  He is also a great representative of how working with dogs’ individual personality will help it to succeed.

Odie is a 2-year old Tamaskan Dog, a breed which originated in Eastern Europe.  Pronounced “TA-MAS-KIN”, these dogs are rare in the US with only a handful of breeders.  The idea behind the breeds’ creation was a dog that had the intimidating look of the wolf but with little or no wolf bred into them.  This breeding would allow them to keep the domestic dog personality and temperament.

They are literally a “sheep in wolfs’ clothing”.

While their wolf-like appearance is the thing they are best known for, they are also highly intelligent, independent, loyal and protective.  Not to mention, good family dogs.  They are still used as guard dogs and military dogs in areas of Russia and Czechoslovakia, where they are also referred to as Czechoslovakian Wolf Dogs.

Odie demonstrates all his breeds’ traits.  While he may not rush to greet people he doesn’t know, he is completely devoted to his owners’ young granddaughter, smothering her with kisses every time he sees her.   And as the pictures will attest he will put up just about anything if it involves her.

Odie began coming to AZ Dog Sports as a young dog and quickly showed us that he was up for any challenge.  At the same time, he also made it very clear it had to be on his own terms.  He is a quick learner.  Odie also is blessed with a sensitive side and won’t tolerate being forced into anything.

This is why the reward-based training we utilize at AZ Dog Sports has helped him thrive! 

Odie now succeeds in multiple sports classes including Agility, Scentwork and Treibball.  He is a member of our Outdoor Adventure classes on weekends as well.  In the process of completing 3 levels of Obedience, as a young dog, he showed us that he wasn’t as comfortable in close settings with groups of dogs.   So, he occasionally does private lessons with us as well.  This keeps his active mind engaged with new games and ideas.  He is not unusual in that respect; many dogs will do well in some classes but may act out in others due to insecurity or over-stimulation.

Our job at AZ Dog Sports is to find what works best for each dog.  In Odie’s case we have created a program that allows him to not only to participate, but excel in his classes.  And occasionally, if we’re lucky enough, he thanks us with a quick lick and the slightest of tail wags…which he saves just for his closest friends.

We are proud to call you one of our own, Odie!

~by Will Bruner