tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.comments2023-06-25T03:32:05.348-05:00Bernier-isms & Random ThoughtsSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-87589002904395510602017-01-24T08:58:45.388-06:002017-01-24T08:58:45.388-06:00Yeah, Jerland is basically a "fancy" pup...Yeah, Jerland is basically a "fancy" puppy mill breeder. As I said in my post, he essentially kicked me off his property once he knew I wasn't there to purchase that day (I told him I was doing research on European GSDs and wanted to meet some of his dogs/puppies, get a feel for the type of dogs he breeds, etc.). I'm not sure if he thought I was a reporter or what...but I DID see an enormous pole-barn type structure, from which was emanating a fantastic din of yapping, barking, whining and all manner of dog noises. Before telling me to scram he'd said he had "puppies of all ages" that were for sale. <br /><br />There was another woman there at the same time to buy a puppy; he didn't take her out back (to the pole barn) to meet the dog; he had someone bring the puppy to HER. Classic puppy mill practice -- never let the customers see the conditions. <br /><br /> Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-21698171857253022872017-01-23T19:14:16.487-06:002017-01-23T19:14:16.487-06:00I have never heard anything good about Jerland. We...I have never heard anything good about Jerland. We are looking for a new Shep and I won't even bother going to Jerland's website. <br /><br />But aside from that prey drive is an instinct not a learned or taught behavior and it's not something one can "train out" of a dog. Sorry, I don't agree with the prong collar jerk. That's asking for a serious if not deadly injury to a dog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-85426197917525825582014-12-10T16:30:52.362-06:002014-12-10T16:30:52.362-06:00There is a great support group on Facebook. It...There is a great support group on Facebook. It's a closed group so it's a safe place to vent and get support and answers to any questions. There is always someone that had gone through whatever you are going through and the support has been life changing for me. I highly recommend joining. Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16480240547424837159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-21088792764093729712014-11-15T15:42:56.975-06:002014-11-15T15:42:56.975-06:00I can confirm the Jerlands puppy mill comment by S...I can confirm the Jerlands puppy mill comment by Sarah - we got our girl there years ago and weren't smart enough to run for the hills when Larry said 'there was no return policy/plan other than the hip dysplasia guarantee' and that we couldn't see the parents because they were 'with their families'...unlike the pups.<br />Our girl has been to the vet over 50 times since we got her, the first 30 visits before she turned 3 years old (almost all allergy related). Called Larry for information [only] to see if any other of his dogs had similar issues, and all Larry could tell me is that he has "NEVER had any similar problems with any of his other dogs" but that he sure hopes we'll consider him for another shepherd some day. <br />While we love our girl to bits, Larry couldn't GIVE me another of his dogs, even if it was free.Emnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-24703255535219742912014-07-04T14:00:45.357-05:002014-07-04T14:00:45.357-05:00I have 2 dogs from Jerland in WI - one has allergi...I have 2 dogs from Jerland in WI - one has allergies terribly and joint issues and the other also has several ear issues and also had a genetic heart condition, that was when he basically cut off communication - they are good dogs but I too would never buy from him again, very arrogant man - Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-57273330666867697122014-05-27T09:31:19.170-05:002014-05-27T09:31:19.170-05:00Hey, Margaret --
That post was partly "hey, ...Hey, Margaret --<br /><br />That post was partly "hey, here's my opinion" and partly a joke. I wasn't raised in the lap of luxury; while my parents did well for themselves they were -- and are! -- savers and every corner was cut where it could be. I wore my sister's hand-me-down clothes until I grew taller than she; I think at that point she might've worn some of MY hand-me-downs! <br /><br />We were told from a young age that we had to go to some type of "school" after high school. Whether that was college (which my sister and I both did) OR a vocational school to learn a trade, we HAD to do something after we graduated to ensure we could provide for ourselves.<br /><br />Of course, only my sister ended up using her 4-year degree; while I earned my undergrad degree I don't use it anymore -- basically all "going to college" does for someone is tell potential employers, "this person is teachable." IMO.<br /><br />I appreciate your comment! It's definitely food for thought -- especially this: "people don't realize that raising the minimum wage will force businesses that employ a lot of busy-work workers (like discount stores) will feel they have to raise prices to compensation . . . so inflation will do its thing and therefore the people with the raised wages will still feel very pinched."Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-50770802608148335172014-05-25T10:08:34.243-05:002014-05-25T10:08:34.243-05:00It's kind of puzzling to me (1) why anyone eve...It's kind of puzzling to me (1) why anyone ever thought that working at a fast-food place or cleaning bathrooms or whatever would or should be enough to support a family in other than very tight circumstances (such as in a small trailer in a trailer court, maybe? With food stamps & other subsidies to help out?) ... or (2) why people don't realize that raising the minimum wage will force businesses that employ a lot of busy-work workers (like discount stores) will feel they have to raise prices to compensation . . . so inflation will do its thing and therefore the people with the raised wages will still feel very pinched. I bet the reason you were raised in the lap of middle-class luxury, as you call it, is that your parents emphasized the importance of going to college and getting qualified to get out and stay out of minimum wage jobs. Is that perhaps correct? I grew up hearing mention among my parents and brothers about "having to work as a garbage man" if one did not going to college. Not sure where that came from, but I also grew up in middle-class security; it is also true that BOTH my parents, who did not meet til some years later, were valedictorians of their small high school classes, yet both worked many hours at late-night jobs to help put themselves through college, meanwhile making As in their classes, and being prepared for middle-class jobs once they graduated. Anyway, I agree with what you have written in your blog, that a full-time minimum-wage worker may be able to "make it" as a single person by sharing housing with family . . but beyond that (expecting to support kids or expecting to be able to pay for one's own apartment or house) may not be what minimum-wage jobs are able to facilitate. So . . . off to college. Low income people often have many more funding opportunities through grants and loans than middle-class people do. At least it has seemed that way to me whenever anyone in my family tried to apply for any kind of financial aid. Fortunately, my daughter DID get a fair number of grants from her college as well as other sources, which made her private college career possible; yet she still emerged with plenty of student loan debt, sigh. Margaret Sch.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06168750867356511637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-83648267288613593842014-04-12T10:02:50.650-05:002014-04-12T10:02:50.650-05:00To Donna --
I find it interesting that people con...To Donna --<br /><br />I find it interesting that people continually tell me, "these are high-energy dogs; you need to exercise them." <br /><br />When I clearly state that I do -- and have, for 7 years now -- exercise this dog. A lot. I specifically got this breed because I'm an active person who loves to be outside (I used to be a runner but have become a hiker; I ride my horse a couple times a week, etc.) and I wanted a dog that was bred to be outside "working" all day. This isn't my first GSD -- I grew up with them and am very familiar with the breed.<br /><br />In addition to all the physical exercise this dog gets (and has gotten her entire life), I took her to obedience classes for years -- normal obedience/leash work, trick classes, even a scent class -- and she was a rockstar. Still is. She's very well-trained...but still has her moments :)<br /><br />As to her prey drive -- we live in a townhome near a wooded area and there's a plethora of wildlife we see daily: squirrels, rabbits, ducks, deer, feral cats. The only things that set off her prey drive are cats, deer and other dogs. Oh, and previously small children :) <br /><br />We've worked past the kid issues -- as in, don't stalk & pounce on them -- but I still wouldn't trust her alone with them. EVER.<br /><br />She's now 7.5 years old and I give her Rimadyl more often than not for the dysplasia and front-leg limping. She's also on daily Cosequine for her joints per my vet's recommendation. She wants to go all day, but she just can't anymore. Too bad -- another reason I got her is because I'd heard of the longevity and health of Mark's dogs. <br /><br />She's finally settling into the dog I've always wanted her to be -- like I said, she still has her "moments" -- but it's taken 7 years and a LOT of work (read: exercise, obedience classes, mental stimulation, etc).<br /><br />Just to be prepared I'm already researching GSD breeders for the next pup -- again, I want a high-energy, healthy dog -- and I will not even CONSIDER purchasing from Kozies. I tell anyone who's asked me about him not to bother.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-15005845885353152002014-04-12T09:08:59.794-05:002014-04-12T09:08:59.794-05:00We have had two Kozie's GSDs, and our experien...We have had two Kozie's GSDs, and our experience has been quite positive. Structurally, our dogs have been solid, and our bitch will be 14 in July. She was a certified therapy dog and was excellent with children in the therapy area. Our boy died at 12.5 years. Both have excellent hip structure. Yes, they have strong prey drive. We used that to train AKC tracking and both were titled with Tracking Dog Excellent titles. I would agree with others that Kozie's shepherds are high drive, but ours were also great pets in the home. We did run/walk them twice a day, however, and gave them other jobs (agility, obedience). If you are not planning on doing some kind to training to engage their intelligence and drive, these are not the dogs for you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06348959220379246840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-38421570473015705782014-02-02T10:42:27.567-06:002014-02-02T10:42:27.567-06:00The kennel you mentioned early in your blog is Jer...The kennel you mentioned early in your blog is Jerland Kennels located in Barron, WI. is definitely a puppy mill as possible a horse & cow mill. I purchased a puppy from him about 10 years ago, great dog temperament wise but has lots of allergies & chronic ear infections. My vet believes it all has to do with bad breeding practices. Do not buy a puppy from Jerland. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-85058665092652726472013-03-25T10:41:43.257-05:002013-03-25T10:41:43.257-05:00You didn't have to mention you're from/at ...You didn't have to mention you're from/at Lakeview -- you seem to be very knowledgeable about how many boarders use Dale as their farrier. At Lakeview. Also, I never told anyone at the barn Dale apologized for his hack-job. The only people who knew about would be him, the barn owner & myself. Strange that YOU know it if you're not from Lakeview.<br /><br />Also, let's (again) get another thing straight: my gelding doesn't have bad feet. What GAVE him bad feet was the butcher-job by Dale Blomquist. Thankfully, my horse is on the mend & my current farrier says he's recovering nicely and has nice, strong hooves. In fact, he mentioned we're lucky the horse didn't end up with major deviations in his coffin bone and/or laminitis from the trim by Dale.<br /><br />You're right, I'm not a farrier. Neither are you, by the way. All I know is after using Dale Blomquist ONE time my horse was lame for 3 months. I haven't been able to ride my horse since November 2012. Pretty sure I don't have to be a farrier to ascertain <b>NOT</b> to use Dale ever again.<br /><br />It's sad to think you're a horse owner and you think I'm "over dramatic" about a farrier laming my horse for several months. <b>6 weeks</b> after Dale butchered my horse, new x-rays showed my gelding only had the slightest amount of sole protecting his coffin bone from the ground. That, my dear, is a big $@%^ deal. <br /><br />Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-71142569213355446982013-03-25T10:28:13.360-05:002013-03-25T10:28:13.360-05:00I'm not representing lakeview I just know some...I'm not representing lakeview I just know some people are happy with dale and I never mentioned lakeview once I was just commenting on how if your horse has bad feet and a farrier trims them he will trim them for what he thinks is best and IS best for the horse... After all they went to school for it not you. it's like telling a vet how to do his job... Not smart. So he made a mistake but you are over dramatic on it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-46941991717435219672013-03-23T13:28:34.403-05:002013-03-23T13:28:34.403-05:00Well done Sarah, made me cry. Linda
Well done Sarah, made me cry. Linda<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-86558779816799956632013-03-17T06:24:27.654-05:002013-03-17T06:24:27.654-05:00That's odd...I could've sworn the topic at...That's odd...I could've sworn the topic at hand was Dale the farrier and whether or not to use him (I obviously never will again; I'll also tell anyone who asks about him what he did to my horse).<br /><br />Since you've decided on taking a tangent to the original conversation, I must say you're doing a stellar job representing Lakeview Farms.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-4679988785849155142013-03-16T12:41:40.224-05:002013-03-16T12:41:40.224-05:00Yeah your right I will use him cuz I don't buy...Yeah your right I will use him cuz I don't buy a horse who's not trained at all and a bully and has bad feet then go around claiming that I'm a good rider but yet couldn't pick a good horse? Then go around and claim he's starving when I use like 50lbs a day of grain that's not for me for him... Ok I'll use dale :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-52841635330812072232013-03-16T12:21:02.268-05:002013-03-16T12:21:02.268-05:00Yes, "Anonymous," farriers are allowed m...Yes, "Anonymous," farriers are allowed mistakes. Mistakes such as, "I took a bit too much toe off" or "Should've taken more heel off" ... NOT looking at x-rays specifically denoting a horse has a slightly deviated coffin bone and then HACKING OFF ALL THE TOE AND SOLE. This horse's coffin bone was almost poking through the sole. <br /><br />He does NOT need shoes in winter; he needs a farrier who knows how in hell to trim a horse properly; not just hack off as much hoof as possible. Which is what Dale does.<br /><br />Go ahead and use him if you don't mind playing roulette -- your horse could be lame like mine was for THREE MONTHS.<br /><br />Good luck.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-14038991534532653242013-03-16T12:05:50.534-05:002013-03-16T12:05:50.534-05:00Not true dale is a real farrier and he was just do...Not true dale is a real farrier and he was just doing what a good farrier does ; sees a horse with bad feet that NEEDS shoes and trimmed him for them... Communication between him and this girl was bad but he tried his best and has NEVER ever messed up on my 2 horses before. We have 8 borders, 25 horses here trimmed by him... Including minis. I have had 6 vets recommend him from different clinics.... Farriers are allowed mistakes and he has made a mends and apologized for it. But there's just one bad review versus Hundreds Of good reviews... I'd trust the ones giving good reviews :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-76485783946349646422013-01-18T13:14:39.581-06:002013-01-18T13:14:39.581-06:00Dear Sarah:
Thank you for taking the to narrate y...Dear Sarah:<br /><br />Thank you for taking the to narrate your experience with Kozies. I will avoid this breeder and I intend to let them know why. <br /><br />Breeders need to understand that customers DO read reviews and act accordingly.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />JSmithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-79196394433483134902012-12-29T17:06:24.993-06:002012-12-29T17:06:24.993-06:00Hi Sarah,
I saw your blog when I googled Kozie'...Hi Sarah,<br />I saw your blog when I googled Kozie's and had to read further. It was interesting because my son purchased a puppy from Kozie's in 2006. They have 3 children and she has been really good with their kids. I only see them maybe once a year in MN. The first time she was not friendly but not hostile either. After the first time though she has remembered me and I am one of her people. She has a very strong shepherd instinct. She always kept an eye on the babies. She is very devoted to her family and is a real sweetheart - loves to be loved. We babysat for 9 days earlier this year and she was fine. Healthwise they have had no problems. She is very energetic and loves to play ball. I'm not sure how old she was when they got her. Sorry to hear about your experience. I thought about getting one of their dogs in the future, as my dog is aged. Hope all is better now!grandma barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03952341313692883469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-31521398684769115802012-12-29T16:16:51.015-06:002012-12-29T16:16:51.015-06:00Nice! i need a good orange color for an accent wal...Nice! i need a good orange color for an accent wall..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-29544285464409845272012-12-29T16:15:59.399-06:002012-12-29T16:15:59.399-06:00Nice! im looking for the perfect orange accent wal...Nice! im looking for the perfect orange accent wall as well. Gonna have to pick up samples.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-7597117508315465392012-12-17T08:02:20.613-06:002012-12-17T08:02:20.613-06:00Again, I find it very, VERY interesting and shady ...Again, I find it very, VERY interesting and shady that he's removed ALL references to "Josie," Zada's mother. She's not even on the Retired Dogs page -- it's as if she never existed :)<br /><br />Curious.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-26013536066643274212012-12-17T07:56:31.642-06:002012-12-17T07:56:31.642-06:00As far as I know, only 2 police agencies (Minneapo...As far as I know, only 2 police agencies (Minneapolis & Le Seur) have Kozies dogs. One each. If they were that stellar, don't you think those 2 departments would purchase more dogs?<br /><br />And, in hearing how excellent they are, other agencies would purchase them, too?Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-33452921738122361192012-12-16T17:45:55.991-06:002012-12-16T17:45:55.991-06:00Interesing. We have a dog from Mark and thoroughly...Interesing. We have a dog from Mark and thoroughly checked all of their health records and didnt see any problems being knowingly bred into puppies. I doubt that police agencies would continue buying puppies if they had all of the issues you have stated. cjrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05437796705448869662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15680774.post-13192969494665568312012-11-27T14:05:14.538-06:002012-11-27T14:05:14.538-06:00"Also, with all due respect your story scream..."Also, with all due respect your story screams handler error." <-- am I partly to blame? Of course. But, as you can read in this post, the dog CAME to me with an issue which was never corrected in the first place (and continued to get worse as she got older). I correct/break her focus if I catch her at it, but not always because she's so focused. So it's not as though I'm idly sitting by letting this all happen. <br /><br />Oh, and Mark's recommendation of how to curb this behavior? Put a prong collar on her and attach a long line. When she starts stalking something, wait until she jumps and then JERK her back. <br /><br />Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04805185036978789135noreply@blogger.com