2023 Animal Stories Magazine

Page 17 2023 Animal Stories Lincoln Daily News February 22. 2023 with the pup. He was house broken and had behavior training suitable to a very desirable family pet. When Maverick came home with the Hickey’s, the next order of business was to go to training including obedience training and therapy training. Which by the way, the training is as much for Gene as it is Maverick, and they both graduated with honors. The result is that Maverick is very well behaved and has shed some of the unpopular habits of dogs such as licking faces, jumping on people, and unnecessary barking. Is there ever a time when Maverick is not obedient? Gene laughed and said the dog still is a dog. The Hickey’s live in the country with wildlife around. Maverick has a particular interest in rabbits and squirrels and when he sees one, he is hard pressed to obey the stay and sit orders. In public, Gene says Maverick is always calm and approachable, but he does not impose himself on others. He has learned that it is best to let the people interact with him not vice versa. He also has the ability to sense what a person is feeling toward him. Gene said when they are out in public with children present, Maverick knows when a child is hesitant or afraid and instead of trying to “make a friend,” the dog lays down and quietly waits for the person to come to him. If it doesn’t happen, that is okay, but if it does, then the dog is gentle and kind and gives the person plenty of time to warm up to him. Gene says most of the time that is what happens, but once in a while someone will completely come undone at the sight of a dog. He noted a trip he and Maverick had made to an out-of-town store. Inside the store a lady saw the dog from a distance and became hysterical crying and screaming for the dog to Continued --