I had my boys (the Weim Crime Syndicate) trained at Off Leash K9 Training in Knoxville, a superb resource for dog training and one that I can recommend unequiviocally. Their trainer was the delightful Melie and she had mentioned that she wanted to get pictures with her own dog, Ryker, while Spring blooms were available. Plus, as she said at the time, she wanted to “look pretty;” now, Melie is very attractive but she spends her days in jeans and a t-shirt, usually coming home in shed and slobber from her “ciients.” Yeah, a girl needs to get dressed up now and then.

A word about Ryker - he is a good boy. He is handsome. He is sweet. He is very well trained. And he is a Belgian Malinois, which frankly is not a breed suitable as “just a family dog.” They are working dogs with a high drive, hence why you often see them rappelling out of Cobra gunships with Navy SEAL teams, okay? And Ryker loves his momma, Melie. A lot. It was evident during our session the bond that the two of them have and it is a delight to see.

As I remind people, we never domesticated dogs. Dogs chose to leave the jungle and join us in the cave, back when mammoths roamed the world. I never underestimate or fail to appreciate that bond.

Does your dog need a little education? Go see Melie and the crew at Off Leash K9 Training.