The Story of a Pit Bull and How Off Leash K9 Training Saved Him

I have a pit bull, his name is Briggs.  He is the cutest and most love-able cuddle bug EVER.  All he wants it attention, exercise, and to please you.  He listens to the commands you give him, sits, lays down, heels, watches, etc.  He will even search drawers on the "Search command".  He is an awesome animal and the best dog I could have hoped for.




He wasn't always like that though.  When we first got him, he was just over one year old.  His previous owner had given him very little training, and Briggs spent most of his day in a crate locked up.  The owner at the time was getting deployed and Briggs needed a home.  I went and met the dog and there was an instant connection.  I took him to meet other dogs and people and he was friendly, but a little much to handle.  Everything was coming along fine with the dog, he was catching on to the commands we wanted him to listen to, but it was coming along slowly.

One day, a friend came over to the house to visit and left the front door open too long.  Briggs got out, this was his first experience off leash and needless to say, it didn't go well at all.  None of the commands we had been teaching Briggs worked, and off he went to roam the neighborhood freely.  He ended up in people's back yard, running laps at will, and scaring some of the neighbors.  Then another dog owner walked by with their dog on a leash, Briggs went to go say hi, but the other dog did not like that.  A scuffle ensued and Animal Control was called.

As mentioned, Briggs is a pit bull.  This breed has a very short leash in the eyes of the law.  Animal Control consulted the District Attorney for the state of Virginia to determine whether or not to label Briggs a dangerous animal, or to euthanize him.  I immediately began searching for help to prove that Briggs was not a dangerous animal, he just needed the proper training.  I was recommended to a training program and called immediately that day, wasting no time.

"Search"

I spoke with the guys over at Off Leash Training.  I booked the 8 week Advanced Lessons (four weeks of basic commands, then four weeks of advanced commands).  They have other options available to read on their website here.  We have completed the 8 week course, and the difference in Briggs is night and day.  He goes on 30 minute to one hour long walks without leaving your side, he sits and lays down anywhere on command (even 20 ft away), and he is now the best dog ever.  We let him in dog parks off leash and he listens even with other dogs distracting him.  He goes out the back door without a tether and no longer takes off for a neighborhood tour.  He can do the following commands now:

• Recall (Come or Here)
• Sit (and Stay in the Sit until released, including Extended Sit)
• Down (and Stay in the Down until released, including Extended Down)
• Place (come to you and Sit on an object, stay in the Place until released, including Extended Place)
• Heel (stay at your side with a loose leash or off leash)
• Off (to stop any unwanted behaviors, such as jumping, growling, counter-surfing, excessive barking, etc)
• Extended Distance Sit (Sit from a distance)
• Extended Distance Down (Down from a distance)
• Come to Heel (come around your right leg and sit in the Heel position at your left leg)
• Watch (maintain eye contact with you until released)
• Through (come around your right leg and sit between your legs)
• Touch (stand up against something you point to)

He is the dog I wanted when I took him in.  Below are some photos and some videos of Briggs in action during training:

Sit

Place

VIDEOS TO COME SOON!!!!!

Off Leash K9 Training Website

Author Bio: Rob Alley earned a bachelors degree at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, VA in Biology. Rob Alley has been licensed for 6 years, he and his team of 4 agents consults with homeowners regarding Real Estate transactions and speciliazes in listing and selling Central Virginia Real Estate - Charlottesville, Louisa, Orange, Lynchburg, Nelson, Fluvanna, Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, Waynesboro and Augusta. Realtor/Owner of Virginia Real Estate Solutions at RE/MAX Realty Specialists

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