RD came to me in June of 2008 with the understanding that I could fix his aggression issues or euthanize him.

I had been looking around for a project dog, with what could be called his “Qualities” 

Somebody forwarded a message to me, from the shelter that said if anyone wanted a project dog, he was available, but was on the list to be euthanized as he was  not adoptable, due to aggression.

His history was exactly what I was looking for.

His name was not RD, but so much about him had the initials RD, his fur was full of dead red hair, “Red Dog”, Reject dog, Rehab Dog, Retrain Dog, Rehome Dog, and he was a wreck of a dog at 40 pounds under weight, with sores, and raw spots all over his body

RD was just a natural fit as a name.

I actually had no intention of keeping him, just train, rehab, and rehome, 

Plans never go as planned.

From the moment the shelter person had me get him out of the van, because he was afraid if him, Me, and RD “Clicked”. We had our issues as we worked on his behavior issues, and worked through them. 

Within a few weeks of good solid training, we changed his aggression issues around, turned him into a nice well behaved dog, and I started to think maybe RD would not be getting rehomed. That came as no surprise to anyone who had seen us work together over those weeks, the mutual bond we developed due to the training was too much for me to just let him go. 

His training progressed, and he continued to just get more stable, reliable, and sweeter.

Within a few months, and even now, If you see RD out, or even in class, it is unlikely he will even have a leash on, much of the time no collar.  if there is one on, chances are it is dragging around loose. He has become confident, friendly, curious, and a diplomat dog that loves to meet, greet, and charm both people, and dogs alike.

RD is my training assistant, top sales associate,  and “lead demo dog”,

He help with obedience classes, tracking, and our style of agility

RD proves “the best business card for a dog trainer is their dog”.

I train my clients exactly as I train RD. I think this is the only honest way to be as a trainer.

I get a lot of dogs with aggression issues, and RD is my main dog I use with them, his ability to sit calmly in the face of crazed aggression, whether directed at me, or him, is priceless. 

That is the goal of every dog I train, I want a happy, stable dog.

RD is my near constant companion,  and all around buddy.

Jerry Pridemore

Unleashed Paw-Tential Dog Training

Real Training with Real Results

www.UnleashedPawTential.com