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K-9 Training & Instruction
Training Philosophy
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Paws -w- Purpose K-9 TRAINING & INSTRUCTION: With Trainer Susan Germundson
I have over 30 years of dog handling experience with over 50 different breeds, and LOVE being with them and seeing their minds work. I have done foster work and trained adoption dogs, have counseled new owners on everything from breed and dog selection to behavioral issues and doing assessments. I was also accepted as an Instructor for the AKC's Canine Good Citizen program. In 2009 I achieved my Diploma in Dog Obedience Training and Instruction, which also included a broad coverage of things including dog psychology, nutrition and reproduction. I have a strong focus on solving behavioral issues and creating well adjusted puppies through my PawsAbility Puppy Class. In 2022 I will be offering a search and tracking primer class along side of my own training with our Bloodhound Willie. Some of the training we do here is Obedience, Socialization, Problem Behavior Modification and Confidence work as well as prep work for ESA and Service K9's. I hold info-sessions on all dog related topics and do group and individual classes. There is something for everyone. Dog owner or just animal enthusiast. The business motto is "It's not just training, it's an education." We're helping one dog at a time have a chance at a bright future and educating pet owners on all things dog, to make each story a success.
Why BOSTON TERRIERS:
I always had big dogs growing up and never had even considered owning a Boston. I bred Louisiana Catahoula Dogs for a few years and then one day in 2007 while traveling through Mississippi in my semi, I picked up a stray, male Boston Terrier at a truck stop. Originally I was just going to take him to the no-kill shelter back home in Minnesota, but that was still a week away. By the time I made it back home, I was hooked on him and the breed. That's where my Boston Terrier addiction began. I kept "Bug", and when I lost my last Catahoula suddenly in 2008, there was no doubt in my mind that I needed another Boston. They are like potato chips. You cannot have just one. So along came “Daisy” and shortly thereafter another rescue Boston named “Roscoe”. In 2009 I had “Mojo” for a short while and then in 2011 Jim and I adopted “Gramma Dog” and gave her a loving home to live out her final days. In December 2014, we added “Pele”, in July 2016 "Solo" came to us from Michigan, and "Glory" was born here on the farm in July 2018. We love our Boston Terriers and are committed to upholding the breed standards in our small breeding program, but most importantly keeping a strong focus on the health and well being of all of our dogs first and foremost.
We bred Pele and Solo a few times and then tragically lost Pele in 2019. At that time we retired Solo from breeding and decided to take a break from puppies. Now heading into 2022 we are growing our Boston family once again with plans to restart our breeding program within the year. With all the breeding for micro sizes and designer Bostons with fancy coat colors taking place, our focus is to bring some of the Boston Terrier heritage back into our program, aiming to produce the more traditional Boston Terrier of the past. Bigger, heavier and healthier in mostly acceptable colors. Our Bostons are pet quality, but we are always striving to add better quality genetics so we one day may produce a show quality pup.
The Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier, previously known as the Roundheaded Bull & Terrier, Boston Bull Terrier, Boston Bull, Boston Bulldog and Bull Terrier. It was in 1891 that the breed officially took on the name of Boston Terrier and in 1893, the AKC recognized and accepted the Boston Terrier breed into it's registry. It is considered a pure breed that was created by crossing English Bulldogs with the now extinct White English Terrier. The Boston is also recognized by the CKC and UKC as well as many other affiliate clubs. As a standard for the Boston Terrier, they range in size but average from 15-25lbs and 15-17" tall at the shoulder. They are a compact, sturdy, well-balanced and intelligent dog. An incomparable companion that is alert, lively and friendly.
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The Boston Terrier is found in the Non-Sporting or Utility Group. The foundation Bostons were much larger and more blocky than the modern Bostons of today. They resembled more of the Bulldogge than the terrier. Nowadays people try to breed them smaller and more refined for pocket puppies and tiny lap dogs, straying away from the Boston Terrier roots.
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What Does Being Registered Really Mean?
All right, so you're going to purchase a Boston Terrier (or any breed for that matter). You're searching breeders and see AKC puppies on one and CKC puppies on another. What does this really mean? Is one registration better than the other? Some will argue this point, but in all actuality no registry is truly superior to the other, at least not where the quality of your pup is concerned. The Webster Dictionary defines a Registry as 1: a place where official records are kept or 2: a book or system for keeping an official list or record of items. Basically they are independent clubs that formed to keep records on dog breeds. These clubs have adopted standards for the breeds they keep in their registry and although some standards are identical, others hold slight variations to distinct differences on certain breeds. For example the AKC and UKC want natural tails on Bostons where the CKC accepts natural or docked tails. AKC recognizes three standard coat colors where CKC accepts two varieties, Standard (black, brindle and seal) and Non-Standard (any other color except merle). Some of the registries hold their own organized shows for those who register with them. And although there are inspectors who can and do randomly inspect kennels within the registry, it is primarily the premises that they are looking at to ensure dogs are being housed and cared for appropriately. No registry is able to inspect the quality of each and every puppy born to their registered dogs. It is up to the breeders to hold themselves accountable and liable for the quality of their breeding stock and resulting puppies. Hopefully listing their pups correctly and refusing registration privileges for those puppies who have serious faults or fall outside the breed standards. Choosing a puppy or dog should start first and foremost with the breed standard and what you, the buyer are looking for. Do your homework and research the breed, then research the breed standards within the registries. Know up front that "papers" are only as good as the puppies genetics. Having them does not = quality. Educating yourself on breed standards means that you'll know a quality puppy when you see it. Furthermore, unless you plan to breed or do some serious showing in the breed rings, a registered dog is not necessary. There are plenty of non-registered, purebred dogs out there in need of loving homes and they can be as well bred or better than one with registration papers. Papers just say they are on file, they don't guarantee quality bred. When in doubt, ask for help from a professional.
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With all that being said, I want to say that R Little Acres does not support or oppose one breed registry or another. Our dogs are chosen by the accepted breed standards and variations accepted within the standards that allow our Bostons to be athletically sound and healthy. At this time we are breeding to a CKC pet standard of Boston Terrier.
RLAcres Save The Best For Last
Born: 3-9-2016 "Solo" is a classically marked, black and white Boston registered with the CKC. He has been such a welcome addition to our family. His favorite past times are cuddling on laps and bird watching. RETIRED to full time lap dog in 2020
Sativas Im On Fire
RIP sweet Pele. You will be forever missed.
Born: 10-28-2014 Died: 2-9-2019
Also in memory are Pele's last litter of 7 puppies. But especially one strong, brave little guy who blessed me with 30 days of joy before leaving to join his Mom and siblings over the rainbow bridge.
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R Little Pele's Last A Phoenix Rising
Born: 2-8-2019 Died: 3-8-2019
Heavens Daisy Mae
Born: 4-3-2008 "Daisy" was the matriarch of our k-9 family. She spent the first 6 years of her life out on a semi truck criss-crossing the United States with me. She loved the water and playing ball and everyone who met her, fell in love with her. There aren't words enough to describe this awesome girl. Daisy was amazing!!! RIP my beautiful best girl. You will always be my best friend. Daisy passed over the Rainbow Bridge on 12/27/19 .
"If love could have kept you alive, you would have lived forever"
R Little Gloriosa Lilly S Mae
Born July 2018, Glory is daughter to Solo and Pele. She takes after her daddy in that she enjoys stealing my slippers...and shoes...and anything else that is not tied down. Although her personality is a perfect blend of both mom and dad, and she is as smart as a whip. I think Daisy picked her because these two had a kinship from the very start, the same way Daisy took Pele under her wing way back when. Glory loves helping Mom do chores every day. She keeps the chickens in order and helps herd the goats, and almost always ends up in water somewhere playing leapfrog with the frogs. Did I mention she's as smart as a whip?
Sullivan
Always In Our Hearts & Forever In Our Home
Please enjoy photos of these lovely Bostie babies and rescues from the past.
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Gramma Bugsy & Daisy
Roscoe Daisy Bug
Mr Bob Louis Freckles
Duke
Daisy & MoJo
Pele's 1st litter
Buddy
MoJo
Pele
Feather Joy
Biscuit
Willie
Born 5/9/2019 - AKC bred Bloodhound. Willie arrived on June 26th 2020 from the PAW Animal Shelter in Fort Madison, IA. He was an owner surrender due to his overactive nose, and we are hoping that nose will give him additional purpose in life. Willie was never a house dog previously, but now he is a full time, indoor resident and transitioning like a pro. He absolutely LOVES people and prefers human attention to toys 90% of the time. Make sure you follow us along on our journey.
