HE B IRON- STRONG AND CONFIDENT K9 TRAINING

This will be a combination of solid high performance working foundation that will maintain the integrity of higher pressure and drive capability. Combination that offer depth in pressure ability combined with strong ideal motivation to please behind the work ethic. Dogs that are not slaves to their drive, but rational minded dogs that have the inner strength 

Why Adopt an Older Dog?

Sometimes an older dog may be available for placement to caring, permanent homes. Just because rescues often times have older dogs doesn't mean that there is necessarily anything wrong with the dog. Sometimes owners have to move and can't take the dogs with them. Sometimes the owner dies or gets divorced and neither party wants to take the dog. Sometimes owners realize that Scotties take a lot of work and training, and they just don't have the time or patience required to shape the dog's behavior. Sometimes there are medical or financial reasons that prevent them from keeping the dogs, but that doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with the dog. Only that he/she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Older dogs can live very full, very active lives and be wonderful members of the family. Here are just a few reasons why adopting an older dog is a great idea.

Save  a life: Plain and simple.... When you adopt a rescue, you are giving a dog a new chance to start a new life and saving a dog's life.  Rescue organizations always have limited resources. When you decide to adopt a dog, you enable another opening for a dog to be rescued . You give the gift of life. 

Easier Housebreaking: ...or sometimes even NO housebreaking. Older dogs, unlike puppies, have larger bladders and more control when it comes to bathroom trips. Which means fewer trips for you, and no midnight or early morning bathroom emergencies for the dog. This takes a lot of the hassle out of dog ownership. Older dogs adjust easier to your schedule, you sleep in--they sleep in, which works out great for everybody.

No teething problems: As most people know, puppies start teething around 4 months or so, depending on the breed, and when they do, LOOK OUT. Its like they turn into little beavers or something. They chew carpet, rugs, chairs, tables, and just about anything with legs on it...sometimes including people. Older dogs have passed that stage and no longer chew things to relieve the pain of teething. You also shouldn't have trouble with mouthing of your hands and feet from an adult dog, unlike puppies. This is what you get: With a grown dog, you know what you are getting. You know exactly what size, exactly what temperament, and exactly what personality. Where as puppies may start out one way, and end up another depending on development during puppyhood. And isn't it nice to know exactly what to expect when you get home?

Settle down: Older dogs are calmer than puppies, though none the less active at play time. Instead of wandering the house constantly looking for something to do with their short attention span like puppies, older dogs are content to play when its time to play, and curl up and nap when it isn't. So if you don't have time for them right at the moment, they will take the opportunity to take a nice nap until you do.

Ease of training : In addition to easier housebreaking, training is easier too. And in some cases, older dogs may come with their own vocabulary of tricks already. Older dogs have longer attention spans, and can be more easily trained than puppies can. Which makes training much less frustrating to both the new owner and the dog.

Support: With the adoption of a rescue dog,  you will find a dedicated group of individuals who will offer support, counseling and support  for the life of the dog. When you adopt a belgian, you join a large family of dedicated fanciers who  support each other. Bewared that belgians are like potato chips, you can't just have one.  They will struggle to fulfill and complete you in way that you didn't know was possible.

The Rescue Bond: In many cases, rescue dogs bond better with families than puppies do. They appreciate the regular meals and shelter. Some may have been abused and neglected and are happy to have found love once again. Older dogs are very appreciative of the chance to have a fresh start, and they show it to you daily. They are loving members of the family, and they will always be grateful for what you did for them. And if THAT doesn't convince you, talk to someone who has adopted an older dog or take a trip to your local breed rescue today and meet some of the "olders", I guarantee that they will steal your heart and make you fall in love!

http://www.lobsa.org/Why_Adopt_An_Older_Dog.htm intresting link about older dog adoption

If you are interested in what might be available or would like to be placed on a waiting list, you are welcome to either e-mail or telephone. Please take the time to follow the following links to find learn more about belgians waiting to find their forever home. Included below is a list of rescues group who might have the perfect new family member awaiting for adoption.

Lily Rock Belgian Rescue 

Belgian Sheepdog Rescue Site (BSCA)

http://belgianrescuelist.ambercreek.net/- Rescue List for the Belgian shepherd breeds including the Sheepdog and other three "cousins". 

• Belgian Rescue List 

Military Working Dog Foundation: Police K-9 Distribution & Working Dog A...
Military Working Dog Foundation, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization.  Dogs for Adoption

• What Happens to War Dogs after a War? - Dogs in the News Wednesday, February 27, 2002
• Ron Bishop and Ronnie, his adopted military dog mal story miltary
• RAMBO RETIREMENT  mal story miltary 

Staff Sgt. Rodney Dove recently adopted Barry after the military working dog retired from active military service. Dove is a dog handler assigned to the 90th Security Forces Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. (Photo by Mark Crabtree) 

From biscuits to gravy
by Master Sgt. Cliff Anderson and Staff Sgt. Shon Tiechiera, 90th Security Forces Squadron

03/10/03 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFPN) -- Barry has retired from the 90th Space Wing Security Forces here after 11 years of battling crime. He was obedient, loyal, vigilant and protective.

Barry was an ideal military working dog.

The Air Force purchased Barry in 1991 for $3,500 from a Belgium breeder. He was one of only three Belgium Turvueren dogs actively deployed in the entire Air Force. The breed is distinguished by their long hair and charcoal color.

After completing a physically demanding and mentally challenging K-9 training course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Barry was assigned to Warren -- his first and only duty station -- as an explosives detection dog.

Throughout his career, Barry served in a variety of roles, including four deployments overseas supporting Operation Southern Watch.

During his tour here, Barry searched thousands of vehicles and buildings, and he provided special protection to dignitaries like Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

He served with nine different handlers and earned a 98 percent proficiency rate in explosive detection.

Until recently, retirement wasn't an option for military working dogs. Those dogs that could no longer perform their full duties in a field assignment were either sent back to Lackland to train new handlers or were offered to civilian law enforcement agencies.

Now Barry and other dogs like him can be adopted after their military service, thanks to the Robby Bill, passed by Congress three years ago. Robby was the first military working dog to be formally adopted, opening the doors to hundreds of dogs following a successful military career.

A dog's retirement from the military is similar to a person's -- some paperwork has to be done before they go.

First, a veterinarian identifies the dog as physically unable to perform assigned duties. This usually occurs between the 10- to 12-year mark. At the end of a military working dog's career, the dog is worth an estimated $75,000 based on experience and training. As a valuable asset, the next step is to deem the dog "non-deployable or stateside deployment only."

The dog's records are then sent to Lackland for a full medical review board. In Barry's case, the board concurred with the veterinarian's request to retire him.

Next, the dog is offered to local law enforcement or prior Air Force handlers depending on how old the dog is and its aptitude for continued law enforcement service outside of the military. Then, an interview process is conducted to find suitable homes for the dogs to live out their remaining years.

Staff Sgt. Rodney Dove, a base dog handler, was part of Barry's interview process. Dove's adoption application was approved after Barry was not claimed for local law enforcement duties. Dove's adoption approval was a popular one, not only with the handler, but also with squadron members.

"This is the first retirement of a military working dog that I've witnessed in 12 years of active duty service," said Staff Sgt. Jack Waid of the 90th Security Forces Squadron commander's support staff. "It was great to see a handler adopt him."

Upon retirement, the 90th SFS commander presented Barry with retirement orders and an unofficial but highly appropriate "Meritorious Service Medal." 

(Story re-printed courtesy of AFNEWS - Air Force Print News http://www.af.mil/news 

Questions you need to ask yourself before owning a Belgian Shepherd 

• Do you have the space to keep a dog of this size?
• Is your garden fenced and 'dog proof'?
• Do you have the time to give your dog regular exercise?
• Are you able to train the dog to be a well-behaved member of society?
• Have you budgeted for the expense of feeding, training, and veterinary care involved in keeping a dog this size?
• Are you aware that a Belgian Shepherd Dog needs companionship? This breeds is very much a family dog who is not suited to being shut away or isolated most of the time?
• Are you willing to put up with a certain amount of chewing and destruction when your puppy is small.... and occasionally when he grows up and gets bored?
• Do you like shadows that will follow you around the house? Belgians tend to be constant shadow following you around, even when you think you need alone time.
• Do you like to have assistance with everything you do, even when that assistance is not always needed or welcomed? Belgians love to help, but their  attempts are not always what we desire. There hearts are in the right place, but it can be very frustrating. I can spend hours planting a water garden. My belgians will be constantly sorting my tools and bring me assorted gifts. After I am finish, my dogs are happy to bring me all the newly planted containers..... because I really seem to enjoy playing in the water for hours.
• Can you deal with a clown that loves to entertain you? belgians have a sense of humor that can make the worst days more bright. Sometimes their attempts brighten the day can slow down progress. I have been late many times because my belgians feel that I need to slow down and enjoy the entertainment of a game of retrieving a stolen sock or purse.

If you can answer 'Yes' to all of the above, you may just be the right person to own - or be owned by - a member of this engaging and beautiful breed. Follow the following links to learn more about this breed before you add a new family member.  Also please consider adopting a rescue belgian sheepdog or a retired  dog. Sometimes there are wonderful dogs that are being retired after years working as a service, working, or show dog. 

Belgian Sheepdog Club of America - Puppy Manual Comprehensive manual on the care of your BSD

Working with the Belgian Shepherd - by Karin Olsson Background/Purpose-well worth  the read

Why a Belgian Sheepdog? by Maria Magnusson the pro's and con's of owning a BSD

Chat rooms and message boards offer an unlimited amount of imformation and support. Below is a list of groups that have a globel membership of belgian owners handlers, and breeders.

 Belg-L - THE Belgian Shepherd email list. All varieties, global membership  of belgain owners, breeders, and handlers.To subscibe, leave the subject line blank and type SUBSCRIBE BELG-L in the body of the message.

http://groups.msn.com/PastorBelgaGroenendael/ventacachorros.msn 

Tervuren-L  - email list for tervuren fanciers

http://forum.belgiansworld.com/index.php  Belgian World Forum

http://www.redwolfs.net/dogchat.php