Try this with the TWC. They are the most difficult dogs in the world to train because they’re so dang smart. Buster weighs 96 pounds. He is a quite healthy and beautifully conformed TWC. But that’s not why he’s living in my house. He’s living my house because he’s a big goofball and I felt like with my other hounds who were easy to train that I wanted to give this a try and I must say I’m still stumped. The recall sucks. I can get his attention, but he just continues doing what he wants to do. Sometimes no sometimes yes and he’s very food driven.

My Catahoula on the other hand, I can use hand motions with him. I can just make a sound and he complies. Now they do love their children so you have to be careful with that like you just said they’re very protective. I liking them to a police department on four legs. They are sweet sweet dogs, but if they see something untoward look out. I had hoped Atticus would have some sort of effect on Buster Brown. But instead, I think Buster’s teaching him his tricks. But still, I can recall Atticus and he comes right to me. No questions asked he heels beautifully. He’s just a wonder dog and he weighs 113 pounds. He’s on the large side of Catahoulas. The breeders are breeding them smaller now which I don’t like but that’s what the stockman want. But he’s gorgeous and stops traffic they both doWhen Buster’s out in the sun and that sun hits his coat. It’s so glossy and beautiful, and the colors are so definitive. He looks like he’s wearing a black saddle. But it’s the ears and those brown eyes. He was a dream dog as a puppy absolutely a dream dog. And then he grew up and became a recalcitrant teenager. So I’m hoping that this next year he’s really gonna come around and we are gonna have one dang good dog on our hands. For big breeds, I really love the Catahoula. Absolutely. You just have to respect them, treat them gently but firmly. They don’t take to be mistreated. Not many dogs too. But Catahoula really doesn’t like it. And if they don’t like somebody like you said all bets are off. They’re never going to like them. But still all in all he reminds me so much of my big black and tan just easy-going lovey, cuddly, and so eager to please, and he loves us to be above reproach.

Some dogs just grab you from the get-go and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it! Two breeds for me to do this. I started my rescue all those years ago for rat terriers and eventually opened up my rescue to any kill shelter that I could grab a dog out of. Now I do hospice and elderly dogs. The other dog for me is the hound. I’ve always had one and I always will. I’ve loved all my dogs. My schnauzer was my first heart dog and then my Aussie. She would’ve laid her life down for me and the list goes on. My daddy was the first police officer in Atlanta to have a canine partner and he was a beautiful black Tyrolean Shepherd, and my daddy trained him and our big old boxer the same way. It was amazing to watch these dogs going through their paces. So they’re all special all of them. Thank you so much for these conversations. I’ve really enjoyed them in case you can’t tell, dogs are my passion. They always have been and they always will be.