WAG Rescue dog is a ‘force’

Rescue dog success stories do happen. This is especially true for one of Wimberley Adoption Group and Rescue’s graduates, Gia Bella, a dog they thought was some kind of cattle dog mix with a high level of energy. Probably left at the shelter because of her high level of energy.

But once she received professional training and her proper breed was uncovered, her temperament and energy was put to good use. She had found her true calling. All it took was a Veteran/Veteran’s Widow who was looking for a companion dog for her Basenji named Luke.

She had adopted Luke from the shelter of the Helotes Humane Society, Texas. The breed was originally raised by ancient Egyptians to chase rabbits and other small game into nets their waiting masters held. Fast and high energy is qualities the breeds are noted for. “The dog was too high energy for me,” she was told about the dog.

“Luke had the capabilities for obedience training and agility training,” said veteran Tracy Shue and owner of both Luke and Gia Bella. But looking for a companion dog for herself and Luke, she ran across a dog she liked on the WAG website. Gia Bella was worth a try.

“She was a crazy person when I met her. She would run around. Typical dog from a shelter. I had to use Luke for her training and bonding.”

When taken to the trainer, Devin Kenney at Wag-More Pet Resort in Boerne, the first impression was not good.

“The trainers, they saw something on a trial. I had a good feeling with Luke. They said they were not sure it was going to work. But it took a couple of weeks, with agility training and daycare.”

Kenney has seen differences in both dogs although they both act Basenji. Luke was taken to training at first, because of his ability to leap six-foot fences, probably a trait that was needed to leap Egyptian nets. He couldn’t be caught. “He’s fearless,” she said. “I have to call Gia Bella to help bring him in.”

“They learn at different speeds. Gia is at a higher energy level than Luke... They’re always together, but their ability also separates Luke and Gia…She is a force. I thought she was too aggressive, so we worked on that for agility,” she continued.

“Actually dogs want to work, hunting and working dogs, otherwise it brings on anxiety, ” Shue said. “But she does not have food aggression, but toy aggression. Balls in particular. Agility training has done wonders for her, she has to work her mind.”

Training dogs is an art. “Dogs don’t lie to you. If something doesn’t work you go on to something else. At first, in training Gia, the training was slower than Luke’s. Now she is overly driven, toy motivation, she focuses on a ball, nothing else,” Kenney said.

As for understanding her dogs, Shue has nothing but praise for WagMore and their trainers. “The trainers are outstanding people. They are amazing. Devin is a dog whisperer as is James. I learned so much from them,” Shue said.

As with any dog, the talents and traits that are inherent in the dog’s breed is important to the prospective master’s lifestyle and should be taken under consideration. The right shelter dog can be a perfect fit.

For more information about Wimberley Adoption Group and Rescue can be found at their website at wimberleywagrescue.org