Boarding Tonka and Radar

This is the day we picked Tonka and Radar up from the Hilo airport. Talk about stress. Earlier in the day, I got a phone call from their owner saying the airline won't ship Tonka due to his crate being to large. The crate that airline said to get. The airline finally agreed to let Radar ride in one of their crates, Tonka ride in Radar's crate and ship his large crate separately.

The dogs arrived, Harold put Tonka's crate back together while the airline employee asked if we needed anything else. Mind you, this is basically the only airline we can travel on and their customer service is something to be desired. I really cannot stand this airline but, what choice do we have?

Radar the day he got here

I was really apprehensive about picking up Radar. I had only met him a time or two. He was always nice, but, still, I did not know this dog. Tonka on the other hand, was a ten month old puppy. How hard could that be?

Our lives have been really hectic since taking on this project. Before we can do anything with Radar and Tonka, we have to catch all five of our cats to lock them in the house. This is not an easy task. Once that is done, we then feed Radar and Tonka, wait an hour, all the while the cats are meowing not stop to go outside. I then go outside to doggie sit for an hour. I am too afraid they will take off and we will never be able to find them again.( I do the same thing with Harley and Sophie, only Harley manages to disappear every once in a while. I think he has a girlfriend up the road from us.)

  The first few days, were great? Radar turned out to be the sweetest dog I've ever met. Other than my own but, hey, they are my dogs. Tonka came when called, loved to play with his water dish and the ball.

Tonka on the third day with us.

By the third day, I guess it was clear to Tonka he was not going home anytime soon. Harold and I were taking them for a walk when I got a little bit ahead of him. Tonka has separation issues when he is not next to Radar. I heard a commotion turned to see him in one chomped destroy Sophie's leash. Harold was trying to hold on to Tonka by his collar (the pinch collar, also Sophie's) when a struggle ensued. Tonka I want to say panicked, then started nipping at Harold. I could not believe what I was seeing. He was promptly put back in the kennel where he stayed for the rest of the night.

This poor dog's world has been turned upside down. He went from being at home with his family to getting on a noisy plane to be met by people he did not know  and live at a home he barely if at all remembered. But by no means is he allowed to put his teeth on anybody!


The next day I took on the task of training him. At first, it seemed like I was making some progress. I had taught him Aus, which he quickly learned for one day. After that day,  well, lets say he quickly forgot it. From that day on, it was a battle to get him to let go of his ball.

I took this picture while holding the ball.

That was not the only problem I have encountered with Tonka. When I would grab him by the collar to walk him to his Kennel, he would nip at me. Sad to say he actually dd get me a few times. It was not a vicious bite, it was a puppy nip. Kind of like a child having a temper tantrum about going to bed.

So I tried the e-collar, that worked for maybe a week. I've come to the conclusion that either the e-collar is not working properly or he is one stubborn German Shepherd. I think it's the latter. I solved that problem by using cheese. I just say go to bed and he 
runs in there.


I wanted to get a picture of Tonka and Sophie together. Because he is in an unfamiliar place and I was by myself this is the only way I could take the picture.

As the weeks go by, Tonka and Radar are feeling more and more at home. Here he is posing (actually I am holding his, er, Sophie's ball). I have some how manage to teach, once he drops the ball, he waits for me to pick it up and then run for it after I say "go".  I have tried to teach him other things like heel, down and shake, but, his teeth are so sharp, I think I'll leave the training up to his owners.

Trying to get a picture of these two side by side is virtually impossible. So, I do what I can.

Radar is one of the most difficult dogs to get a picture of. He will not look at the camera.I have thoroughly enjoyed watching this dog. He is a gentle soul who reminds me so much of our dog Ginger. They have the same personality. The only difference, Ginger talks to us, Radar not so much.

He loves hunting for things in our bushes, just like Ginger. Another thing they have in common? Chasing the flashlight and giving lots and lots of kisses.

I have been able to brush these two on a daily basis. Radar loves it, Tonka tolerates it. He just want to play ball. 




Next post: Trying to get them to Germany.