Three Ol' Shorties
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, March 18, 2024
Did you hear that the price of duck feathers has risen?
So now even down is up.
Yesterday, I spent the day in town with two very lovely women who both own American Dirus dogs.
We told stories and laughed and laughed about the funny things our sensitive intelligent dogs do.
We dubbed ourselves the “Three Ol’ Shorties”. LOL
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We also figured out who the true alpha female is, didn’t we, ladies?!
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Then the conversation turned toward a discussion on the most amazing thing about American Dirus dogs… their intuitive nature.
I always find it incredible when American Dirus dog owners share how very attentive and alert their dogs are when they are upset or hurt - physically or emotionally.
The most alpha among us shared how she had to learn new training techniques, even though she has extensive dog training experience.
You see… the American Dirus dog is fundamentally different than the typical working breed.
I try to hammer this notion into you because it’s so hard to express verbally that you almost have to own one to fully understand.
Just how can this be?
SURELY… a dog is a dog is a dog. Right?
Well, sure… American Dirus are still dogs.
They do many dog things.
But there is also something different about them.
Quite different.
There is an emotionally sensitive nature to them.
They require a relationship to show you their incredible selfless gifts of comforting/soothing, peace-giving, and helpfulness.
These dogs are quite expressive, too.
It is ESSENTIAL that you become aware of the very subtle (but extremely expressive) way of communicating.
The American Dirus dog is extremely intelligent and loving.
The majority of our dogs love hugs and being groomed.
The key is to build a strong trusting, bonded relationship.
One that is built on respectful reciprocation.
In order to do that, you must become hyper-aware of their body movements.
Then, a whole new world opens up for you… the world of the DireWolf Dog!
Oh, the stories of our dogs that comfort their owners during an emotional and physical crisis sends shivers down my spine.
- An American Dirus dog pulled its owner to a stranger to alert to something wrong, saving that stranger’s life.
- An American Dirus dog diagnosed a blood sugar crash from a stranger at a table nearby in a restaurant.
- An American Dirus dog gently laid its head on its owner’s lap when she was in tears about something that overwhelmed her.
- An American Dirus dog walked in front of its owner stopping her from walking into a car backing up in the parking lot.
And the stories go on and on!
Of course, dogs in other breeds have been known to do these things, but in the American Dirus dog we experience it naturally in the majority of our dogs.
And if you ever have the ability to witness it, you will know you have truly developed a trusting, loving relationship with an amazing dog.
I have known this for a very long time about the American Dirus dog.
This is one of the reasons why I began the DireWolf Guardians dog training program in 2008 with Bonnie Lee, my very first DireWolf Guardian in training.
I wanted a way to recognize the amazing things our dogs do everyday.
A way that maintained a high standard and allowed our dogs to perform at their greatest potential.
And now… one of our FIRST GENERATION American Dirus dogs from the Miners Litter, ARI (Baluster/Opal), has achieved the prestigious Winged Wolf award and become an official DireWolf Guardian in the area of mobility.
This means that the Lab/Shepherd cross we brought into the breed last year was truly an asset in temperament, allowing even a first generation to have this incredible intelligent desire to support its owner as a mobility service dog.
We are so very proud of Ari and his owner!
Owner training your service dog is NOT an easy task.
Because of their hard work and persistence, they are now part of a growing list of active American Dirus service dog teams working in this very special way.
Ari helps his owner stand from a sitting position. He also braces his owner should she require stability when standing. Ari counter-balances when walking or moving to help support her movements. And this amazing example of our breed provides forward momentum to help guide his owner up inclines and stairs.
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He is truly a sight to see!
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And everyone in his community remarks at how well-behaved and stunning he is.
We couldn’t be happier to acknowledge this remarkable Winged Wolf and his dedicated owner’s amazing accomplishment.
She shared Ari’s training journey with me all along the way, with all the bumps and road blocks.
Ari has gotten over every obstacle and is now such a wonderful example for others to emulate.
Check out Ari and the other amazing active Winged Wolf American Dirus service dogs below:
And remember…
The Luck of the Irish litter is now a SECOND GENERATION from this newest crossbreed.
We expect many great things from these puppies, as well.
We already know they are highly intelligent, so now we see if they are also intuitive.
I suspect they will be.
If you are on our waiting list, there are only four more weeks to let us know you would like to go active for the Luck of the Irish litter.
Don’t wait until the last minute and risk forgetting.
Simply reply to this email and let us know you want to go active for this litter.
Then, we’ll star you name on the waiting list so you don’t get passed up when the puppies are four weeks old.