Back to Series * Overview * Photos * Vick Dogs Update null In April 2007, the nation was shocked when dozens of traumatized pit bulls were discovered on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vicks property. Follow the journey of four of the most challenging Vick dogs as DogTown helps rehabilitate them. NextPrevBrowse Episodes Trainer's Diary: Michael Vick Dogs Update Image: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary's DogTown from the National Geographic Channel show DogTown Dog’s name: Meryl Trainer’s name: Ann Allums Initial diagnosis: Fearful of strangers, Meryl may lash out when meeting a new person if not properly introduced. Training program: First and most important, Meryl is only introduced to new people through people she already trusts so that she does not lash out. Trainer John Garcia and I have worked rigorously on introducing Meryl to other trainers, so now a number of us have gained her trust. We show her that the people who take care of her won't hurt her. Additionally, I always seek ways to give Meryl a full and rich life with adoptive owners one day, which begins with learning basic commands such as sit, stay and come, and then moving up to agility training. Status: Meryl has met new people and has a variety of caregivers who can walk her, play with her and snuggle with her. We practice agility regularly and Meryl loves it. When Meryl sees me coming she gets really excited — good things are going to happen! I also discovered that Meryl loves other dogs and now she has regular play dates with a variety of doggie friends! Image: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary's DogTown from the National Geographic Channel show DogTownDog’s name: Georgia Trainer’s name: John Garcia Initial diagnosis: When I met Georgia, she was very aloof with people, demonstrated food guarding issues and was aggressive to other dogs. Training program: The first task was to show Georgia that she was loved — that we wouldn't hurt her, and that in fact we would take care of her and bring good things to her life. That didn't take too long! After that, we focused on food guarding. I started by feeding her by hand so that she had nothing to guard and rewarding her with a bigger treat when I wanted to take another food item away. She has done a great job. Then we moved to basic commands like sit, stay and come. I've chosen not to address her aggression against other dogs yet. I don't blame her for this strong reaction to other dogs after what she's been through. For now, if she doesn't want to be with dogs, that's fine; we'll let her be with people — which is what she loves. Status: Georgia is doing great. She is enjoying time with me and with her caregivers and hasn't shown any food guarding issues in a long time. Plus she's mastering the basic commands. She loves her walks, her toys and the people in her life. Image: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary's DogTown from the National Geographic Channel show DogTownDog’s name: Denzel Trainer’s name: John Garcia Initial diagnosis: One of the things I immediately noticed about Denzel was his energy level. I know from experience that dogs with energy need plenty of exercise, so we would need to include exercise as part of the training program for Denzel. He would also need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, and we would also have to establish boundaries early on. Training program: Our training plans for Denzel were put on the shelf for a while because when he arrived at Best Friends, our vets discovered that he had a pretty severe case of anemia and an underlying disease — a tickborne parasite sometimes found in fighting dogs. It took months to get him on track. After that, it was on to basic obedience training and getting Denzel ready to pass our Canine Good Citizen test. Status: Healthy, happy and energetic. Learning new things every day and getting better and better at following basic commands. Image: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary's DogTown from the National Geographic Channel show DogTownDog’s name: Cherry Trainer’s name: Michelle Besmehn Initial diagnosis: Shy and undersocialized, Cherry flattens to the ground when on a leash and doesn’t want to walk. Training program: My plan for Cherry was to first get to know him and figure out what causes him stress, what makes him happy and what interests him, and then use those things to help him feel more comfortable and calm. When Cherry first arrived and we clipped a leash to him, he would completely flatten his whole body to the ground and stay motionless. So one of the first things I did was to carry him outside for his walk and stand there with him, waiting for him to eventually start moving around a little bit on his own. Even if he sneaked over to a place that he thought was a little safer, maybe near a wall or a fence line, that was an accomplishment because it was his own agenda. He was still on a leash, but he realized it wasn’t so bad. And it progressed from there! Next, we wanted to introduce him to new experiences and help him to realize that not only will he be able to survive new experiences but he may actually be able to enjoy them. Even touching him made him nervous, but if you started massaging him, he would start to relax. Cherry also seemed very interested in other dogs, so we carefully introduced him to them and found him a friend in Mel to play with, which has really brightened up his outlook on life. Status: Cherry is becoming a much braver, more confident dog. He interacts playfully with all of his caregivers and actively seeks our attention. X Remind Me Enter your email address so NGC can remind you when next this show airs. Choose Airdate Email And/Or Mobile Number Carrier Remind Me I have read and agree to the Terms of Service Terms & Conditions Please note that show times occasionally change. Always consult NGC's online TV schedule for the latest information. If you sign up to receive a mobile reminder, you are authorizing NGC program reminders to be sent to your mobile phone. You will only receive reminders for shows that you request. This is a free NGC service, but standard text messaging rates apply. NGC mobile program reminders are offered by the following carriers: Alltel, AT&T Wireless, Cingular Wireless, Nextel, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile®, Verizon Wireless. You can end this service anytime by texting STOP to 64288. If you have trouble using this feature, please email site comments to website@natgeochannel.com. NGC privacy policy X Thank You! Your reminder has been created. Send Another Reminder Close X We're sorry! An error occured while trying to create your reminder. Please try again. Send Another Reminder Close Image: Meet the residents of DogTown Image: Dog representing Nat Geo Dogs with its head hanging out the window NAT GEO DOGS Show Your Best Friend to the World. Image: DogTown at Best Friends animal sanctuary DOGS FIND HOMES Best Friends sanctuary is their last hope. Visit Site Image: DogTown veternarian Dr. Mike VET TALK What it's like being a vet at DogTown. Watch Video Image: DogTown puppy rescue in dump PUPPY RESCUE Deserted and Alone in a Dump National Geographic Channel * About NGC * NGC Videos * Contact Us * Outside the U.S.? * Privacy Policy * Site Map * Store Back to Series * Overview * Photos * Vick Dogs Update null In April 2007, the nation was shocked when dozens of traumatized pit bulls were discovered on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vicks property. Follow the journey of four of the most challenging Vick dogs as DogTown helps rehabilitate them. NextPrevBrowse Episodes Trainer's Diary: Michael Vick Dogs Update Image: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary's DogTown from the National Geographic Channel show DogTown Dog’s name: Meryl Trainer’s name: Ann Allums Initial diagnosis: Fearful of strangers, Meryl may lash out when meeting a new person if not properly introduced. Training program: First and most important, Meryl is only introduced to new people through people she already trusts so that she does not lash out. Trainer John Garcia and I have worked rigorously on introducing Meryl to other trainers, so now a number of us have gained her trust. We show her that the people who take care of her won't hurt her. Additionally, I always seek ways to give Meryl a full and rich life with adoptive owners one day, which begins with learning basic commands such as sit, stay and come, and then moving up to agility training. Status: Meryl has met new people and has a variety of caregivers who can walk her, play with her and snuggle with her. We practice agility regularly and Meryl loves it. When Meryl sees me coming she gets really excited — good things are going to happen! I also discovered that Meryl loves other dogs and now she has regular play dates with a variety of doggie friends! Image: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary's DogTown from the National Geographic Channel show DogTownDog’s name: Georgia Trainer’s name: John Garcia Initial diagnosis: When I met Georgia, she was very aloof with people, demonstrated food guarding issues and was aggressive to other dogs. Training program: The first task was to show Georgia that she was loved — that we wouldn't hurt her, and that in fact we would take care of her and bring good things to her life. That didn't take too long! After that, we focused on food guarding. I started by feeding her by hand so that she had nothing to guard and rewarding her with a bigger treat when I wanted to take another food item away. She has done a great job. Then we moved to basic commands like sit, stay and come. I've chosen not to address her aggression against other dogs yet. I don't blame her for this strong reaction to other dogs after what she's been through. For now, if she doesn't want to be with dogs, that's fine; we'll let her be with people — which is what she loves. Status: Georgia is doing great. She is enjoying time with me and with her caregivers and hasn't shown any food guarding issues in a long time. Plus she's mastering the basic commands. She loves her walks, her toys and the people in her life. Image: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary's DogTown from the National Geographic Channel show DogTownDog’s name: Denzel Trainer’s name: John Garcia Initial diagnosis: One of the things I immediately noticed about Denzel was his energy level. I know from experience that dogs with energy need plenty of exercise, so we would need to include exercise as part of the training program for Denzel. He would also need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, and we would also have to establish boundaries early on. Training program: Our training plans for Denzel were put on the shelf for a while because when he arrived at Best Friends, our vets discovered that he had a pretty severe case of anemia and an underlying disease — a tickborne parasite sometimes found in fighting dogs. It took months to get him on track. After that, it was on to basic obedience training and getting Denzel ready to pass our Canine Good Citizen test. Status: Healthy, happy and energetic. Learning new things every day and getting better and better at following basic commands. Image: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary's DogTown from the National Geographic Channel show DogTownDog’s name: Cherry Trainer’s name: Michelle Besmehn Initial diagnosis: Shy and undersocialized, Cherry flattens to the ground when on a leash and doesn’t want to walk. Training program: My plan for Cherry was to first get to know him and figure out what causes him stress, what makes him happy and what interests him, and then use those things to help him feel more comfortable and calm. When Cherry first arrived and we clipped a leash to him, he would completely flatten his whole body to the ground and stay motionless. So one of the first things I did was to carry him outside for his walk and stand there with him, waiting for him to eventually start moving around a little bit on his own. Even if he sneaked over to a place that he thought was a little safer, maybe near a wall or a fence line, that was an accomplishment because it was his own agenda. He was still on a leash, but he realized it wasn’t so bad. And it progressed from there! Next, we wanted to introduce him to new experiences and help him to realize that not only will he be able to survive new experiences but he may actually be able to enjoy them. Even touching him made him nervous, but if you started massaging him, he would start to relax. Cherry also seemed very interested in other dogs, so we carefully introduced him to them and found him a friend in Mel to play with, which has really brightened up his outlook on life. Status: Cherry is becoming a much braver, more confident dog. He interacts playfully with all of his caregivers and actively seeks our attention.