Mickey is a purebred plush coat German Shepherd. We bred Tera with a stud that came in 2nd for all of Ontario. Mickey was the only male in the litter. We were not planning to keep him, but he just turned out to be so adorable and good natured that we could not bear to part with him. He was the smallest of the puppies, all black at birth, looking like a wee mouse. So we named him Mickey (like Mickey Mouse). Now he is larger than Tera, so we call him Mickey Moose. He is very intelligent and the most anxious to please dog I have ever seen. You could pat him all day long and he would love every moment.

There are 2 "modes" when I am out with the dogs. Heel and release. When heeled, they walk with their front legs even with my legs, and turn as I turn. Leash or not. They sit when I stop. When released they go off-leash whereever they want. This is when we get to a field. They are not on retractable leads, and they do not pull or step foot onto other people's property.

Mickey and Tera both heel properly. Tera is on the right, and Mickey is on the left. Their leashes are tied together and resting slack around my neck.

When we get to the field, we play for a bit, then work off-leash, then play again. We do figure 8's, sit stays, stand stays, down stays, drop on recall, etc. Then we walk back. When incorporated with play time - the training is more responsive.