Hoobie 11/23/2005-11/28/2013

I received the news yesterday that Hoobie's heart stopped during a routine examination.  Hoobie holds a special place in our hearts and memories here.   Luckily he was only 50 or so pounds, because he was the hardest dog that I ever had to train.   His size made it possible for me to handle and teach him safely.

Unfortunately, Hoobie was born with bad genetics that caused some very uncomfortable medical problems for him very early on.   When I have dealt with very human aggressive dogs, it has been very common that they have medical factors that are making them uncomfortable being handled AND they started very early on in their lives.

Why would his owners choose to spend so much time, money, and effort on Hoobie?   Well, there was a sweet guy in there that liked to have fun.   To Hoobie's owners, it was very important for them decrease not only the physical discomfort, but also the mental discomfort that grew from that as well.   They knew the sweet Hoobie, and wanted more time with that side of him now that they had identified his physical maladies.



The reward that Hoobie worked the best for was outdoors and fun.   Food or treats would get you bitten.   So that is what we used for this guy to bond and build trust during his stay here.   He really taught me a lot about identifying what a dog is going to work for.   It is not always going to be something readily available, and the dog is going to pick it (especially in a case like this) NOT the dog trainer.

He left to go back home in September 2009.   Hoobie and his owners lived a bit away in Canada so I have not seen him since, though I do get updates.   Hoobie gained a female canine companion, and lots time with his owners for these years.   I cried a bit last night when I found out.   His owners did such an incredible job of sticking with Hoobie, and continuing on the work to keep his aggression at bay by working with what Hoobie (and they) had learned here.

Hoobie is now medical issue free for once.   I hope he is running with his old friends Leon and Jackie (my dogs that knew him and went before him) at the rainbow bridge.   Hoobie, you were very loved and will be missed and remembered.