Greater Kansas City Pet Expo

The Greater Kansas City Pet Expo is the largest venue of its kind in the country. It is GWP Rescue, Inc's largest event of the year. With some 200+ rescue/shelter organizations, KC Police dept canines and horses, Dock Dog's regional finals, flyball and agility....not to mention all of the vendors.

We had five wirehairs at our booth, and all were very well behaved met the crowd happily in spite of the high stress environment. What I was the most proud of was that all of the work, all of the time we have spent with the dogs especially Meg was so worth it. While other rescue dogs pulled ahead and drug their handlers, Meg loose leash walked beside or slightly behind me. Her trust was evident, and I was proud to show her that the outside world even in this type of venue was a challenge she could face. She embraced the crowd, was gentle with children, and took a lot of treats from them.

A little background on Meg. She was pulled from a shelter in Amarillo Texas with GSP Rescue Meg Villarreal, and when she came to GWP Rescue, Inc she was frightened, had no confidence, and had never seen a collar or leash. I had serious doubts if she would ever recover. Meg has more than recovered, and has become the poster GWP for rehabilitation. Her problems were not temperament, but lack of experience with the outside world. She attends Daycare, goes to events, is a neighborhood favorite. I am so very proud of her.

Using mainly the philosophy of Cesar Millan, leadership with rules, boundaries, and limitations, the dogs in our care respond. Meg and all of the wires want to be secure with routine, exercise, obedience and affection earned. Meg was so starved for attention, and lack of social skills would jump all over us when we praised her with even a pat on the head in the beginning. Being she is so large, this was definitely a problem. Learning that a simple nod and smile was all that was needed to convey approval was something Meg taught us.

Meg now understands what we want from her. She knows that jumping on someone while in their computer chair is an ambush from behind, and not okay. She seems to know that sitting for a treat is not a one time thing and the treats will keep coming when she is calm and obedient. She is now ready for her new home, and I am saddened to see my "Big Diva Girl" leave, but Meg has taught me so very much and I am grateful to have been her student.