Boo Wohl's Beauregarde Rhette Too CD* CGC** Born: 15 November 1992 Adopted: 16 April 1994 Titles CGC: 17 March 1996 CD: 1 March 1997

My rescued Sheltie, Boo, just finished his CD. He got qualifying scores in his first three trials. We went twice more, for fun. He busted his down-stay exercise both times!

I am amazed how far Boo has come since I got him. I adopted him from Dallas/Fort Worth Sheltie Rescue. He was a "backup" to my old dog, Buddy. She was getting on in years. The vets kept saying "She's in great shape, for an old dog." It bothered me. Friends suggested I get a second dog. Eventually I decided I would.

I called Dallas/Fort Worth Sheltie Rescue. I left a message on their answering machine. They sent me a questionnaire. I filled it out and sent it back. They put me on a waiting list. Eventually they called with dogs I should see. Dallas/Fort Worth Sheltie Rescue has no kennel. All the dogs live with foster families.

I wanted a young male Sheltie. I wanted someone Buddy would like. Buddy and I went to meet several dogs. Boo was the second. I liked him. We played fetch. Buddy liked the foster family's dog, Laddie, better. Laddie was bigger!

Sheltie Rescue delivered Boo to my house on 16 April 1994.

Boo was born on 15 November 1993. His breeder is Judy Lang. She owns Wee Folk Shelties, of Flower Mound, Texas. His litter had three co-owners. A couple with three children bought him. They called him "Beau," for "Wohl's Beauregarde Rhette Too." They couldn't handle him. They tried many things. They even sent him to school. The school is called Man's Best Friend. (I think that's like sending your car to Driver's Ed.) They were afraid he would break their sliding glass door. They thought he might bite their children.

Boo has very strong herding drives. He tries to keep people from leaving. He tries to herd small children. He is a terrible cage defender. He doesn't like to be separated from his people. He attacks trucks when we ride in the car. He actually behaves better when he is nervous. The demons come out when he feels relaxed and comfortable!

I worked on this for months. The breakthrough came when I changed his name. Perhaps it sounds silly.

I try not to say the word "no" when I don't mean it. Buddy taught me this. I couldn't even say "know." She winced! She wilted! I talk about "the 'N' word" instead.

I really believe Boo confused his name with the 'N' word. He thought I was repeating myself. He answered to his new name almost immediately. Even the 'N' word worked better! Sometimes I call him Booboo.

Despite all Boo's tantrums, and the attention he got, Buddy liked him. They got along well. Buddy chased him around the house. She treed him on the couch! They stole chew toys from each other. They ate from bowls on opposite sides of the water dish. All this changed in November. He began stealing Buddy's food. She naturally resented it. They got into fights. They even spilled blood.

I tried to protect Buddy. Boo ate in his crate. I guarded Buddy when I gave them treats. They got along most of the time. I used to do recalls all through the house. I would put them on sit/stay and walk out of sight. Then I would call them once. They both enjoyed searching for me.

I had more time for Boo after Buddy died. I took him to beginning obedience class. I needed the training. He already knew almost everything!

Boo did have some problems in training. If his leash was slack, he was polite to other dogs. He went nuts when the leash tightened. The instructor suggested I squirt diluted lemon juice in his mouth. It was a little awkward, but it worked very well. Eventually I switched to squirting plain, cold water in his face.

The important thing is not to brandish the bottle. The surprise is crucial. Draw, squirt, and put it back. I carry the bottle in a fanny pack. I wear it slung low on the right.

I thought about competing in obedience. There was one problem. Boo wasn't registered. His documents included a letter from AKC. It said one of the three litter owners hadn't signed the papers. I managed to track her down. She was glad to sign the papers. I sent transfer forms to his original owners, and to Sheltie Rescue. It was all in vain. AKC will not register rescued dogs.

I found this on their web site:

Perhaps AKC doesn't trust the record keeping.

You can find that rule at:

http://www.akc.org/regrule.htm#humane

Boo now has an ILP number. I could have changed his registered name. I would have called him "Wee Folks' Smarter Than Yogi." I didn't do it. Oh well.

In June 1996 I started fostering dogs for Sheltie Rescue. I usually take only one dog at a time. Sigrid Mureen, who coordinates Dallas/Fort Worth Sheltie Rescue, seems to think I can handle problem dogs. I'm not certain I like that.

Still, it amazes me that Boo, my problem boy, is now the dog I trust. I wouldn't trade him for anything!

Thanks to Sonja Perklén for her help with this article. Her suggestions made it read much more clearly.