My name is Dave and I have owned 3 American Indian dogs thanks to Kim LaFlamme. My first dog was Sinjo; he was a silver fawn male. Sinjo was very independent, and very loving. He was a dog that would look forward to playing with children and he was a certified canine companion at 8 months old, a rarity for dogs under a year old.

Whakiza is my second A.I. dog and he is almost 3 years old and lives and breaths to play fetch or Frisbee. I have seen this dog drop a ball through a hole in the fence 100's times...and he does it just so the people walking by are enticed to throw it back to him. At 3 years old he has 11 commands using hand and verbal commands and has received his obedience certificate and participated in agility, dock dogs, and Frisbee events...
Wahkiza has energy like no other, this dog can play all day and has out played numerous kids on my block.

Tola is my third American Indian dog, He is simply the most people friendly, dog friendly,and cat friendly dog I have ever met...this dog truly smiles as he is playing and he loves to lick..He is truly a happy pup. This pup can put a smile on anyone's bad day...he seems to just know when someone needs some love. I will be taking him for his therapy dog training soon.

Kim, I write this to you because I want you to know how I feel about my dogs and the breed you spent so much time researching, and the dedication, loyalty, respect, love, tough-love and effort you put forth in the recovery of this breed. I am lucky enough to be able to take my dogs anywhere and put smiles on some people's faces, and for that I thank your hard work. These dogs want and need a job to do, and my dog's jobs are to just go to a park and play with anyone willing to play....I have seen kids scared of dogs walk away from playing with mine, with smiles as big as the sun,...I have been lucky enough to have kids who are allergic to dogs play with mine, and they just keep coming back for more. I have come home from work and seen groups of adults and kids alike at my gate petting and playing fetch with them. I have seen Wahkiza block a 3 year old from walking downstairs, because he knew the baby shouldn't be there. .I have seen Sinjo take someone's worse day, and help them forget it....and I have seen Tola baugh and roll over onto his back, just because this little girl was scared to death of dogs.

Also Kim, I have been lucky enough to have gotten together with several other owners around the New York Tri-State area, at least once a month several owners will get together with anywhere from 5 to 9 A.I. dogs. and let me just tell you , that it's simply awesome watching these dogs play amongst themselves, and other breeds.What's even better is we all understand tough-love....we all agree its vital in raising an A.I. dog...its the only way. When we get together, we allow and want the dogs to set their own pack pecking order. It's important for the dogs to learn respect and learn the limits of the other pack members, and if you don't understand that pack mentality, you would never appreciate what potential these dogs have for being a true member of your family. We can be in the middle of a 100 acres and if you call one dog and they all come...awesome....love it...its an amazing sight to see....I have allways grown up with German shepards, and I thought those were smart, the American Indian dogs are the smartest breed I have ever seen. If you give them an inch they will take a mile....if you are lazy...you won't be....they keep you thinking and on your toes and they demand respect and tough-love, and they need to be an active part of your family pack. If you don't understand this or can not give your dog a job or responsibility, then look elsewhere....this breed is not for you......I remember being told that....and I remember being reminded as time went on.....and everything you told me about tough-love and respect has paid off, I couldn't be any happier that I found this breed.
The effort you put into making the American Indian dog come back as a strong breed should be commended and noticed. I, for one, admire your tight leash on this breed, and I, for one, don't want to see it end up like other breeds with all those health problems......keep up the good work and thank you for the many laughs and memories your A.I.Dog breed has given me.

Dave Williams,
A.I.Dog northeast Tri State area rep.,
516-581-3320

Well it all started about 14 years ago when my husband to be said no pets and no kids!! Of course I agreed, until about 6 months later when I saw an add that read " Coyote look alike for sale" and somehow I convinced him to just go LOOK at the dog, well when we got there I knew that I wanted her, but convincing my husband was a different matter!! She was about 5 months old at the time. The owner had gotten her from Kim, but because of an illness in her family was unable to keep her. After many long day's of talking till I was blue, guess who joined our family, Kodie!! At the time we got her, boy did she have a mind of her own!! Along with her already being 5 months old, she had been raised outdoors with basically NO training. The following couple of years were a challenge, a lot of training classes, a lot of showing her who's the boss {tough love} and finally sending her off to boot camp!! Her instructor recommended she go home with her for a couple of weeks, she thought that Kodie needed someone more hard headed than her to take over. That was the best thing we ever did and Kodie came back a new dog!! Many years have passed and we can now laugh at some of the things we went through. Kodie turned out to be the best friend and member of the family you could ask for!! She was so smart and very loyal, once she learned to trust us and feel safe. She became a different dog. Kodie passed on a few months back and left our home so empty, we miss her very much. It was no question that we had to find Kim, we knew there was know other dog for us!! A few months have passed and a trip to Oregon and here we are with the perfect gift!! "Kodie" When I say perfect I do mean that, we are in awe at how smart and well behaved this puppy is!! We got her at 7 weeks and I can not tell you what a difference that has made. From day one she has been with my husband and I just about 24-7 which I believe is very important for this breed, as they need to bond with you immediately. I think they need to learn that trust very early on. You still have to show them who's Boss and they will continually challenge you, but they get it a whole lot quicker. I have been around a lot of puppies, (different breeds) and hands down these dogs are far more intelligent. Kodie was house-broken in know time, she starts her training classes soon, but I must say she already knows almost everything they are going to teach her. Sits, downs, comes and walks on a leash, all of this with little effort. We are as much in love with our new puppy as she is with us!! Working with Kim has been a great experience and the breed is not only beautiful, but a wonderful addition to the family!! So much so, that we are considering getting another one!! Imagine that.
Thanks,
Tamara Burk, KY

Hi, Kim!

I did go to the AID get-together yesterday.

Dave came to my home with his two dogs first. And my little Lakhota behaved
as if she was being visited by long-lost relatives. Which she was. (At this
point, I've come to read her pretty well. And the way she behaves with dogs
of other breeds and with other humans, I could tell there was a difference
with how she was with her "cousins".)

I was very glad for her. (I didn't know that there are many dogs named
"Lakhota". But I guess I should have known. Next pup I get, I'll check with you first before naming him/her.)

All the AI dogs are special and beautiful. But it did occur to me that my
little Lakhota is really a very happy, psychologically-balanced little pup.
She has no issues. And, as a first-time dog owner, I have got to THANK YOU from the deepest part of my soul for that. Lakhota and I are in-sync as far as how we both go about dealing with life.It's remarkable. (Do I sound like a bragging mom?)

I'll try to get those photos of Lakhota processed this week, and emailed to
you this week as well.

Best to you,

Teresa Zaccabno, NY

Greetings from Arkansas

Hope this note finds you both doing well. We are doing very well here. Luna is growing very fast and has become Mr. Social as if he wasn't already. We will be sending in our registration tomorrow as I have finally gotten some pretty good pictures of which I have enclosed one. He is the pet at the vets and rides around Benton as if he owns it. He is constantly at my side and crawls up in my lap during the evening to take a nap. He has gone to doggy spa (a doggy day care) and wears himself out playing. He is very social with the other dogs. We have had some bad news here. My Father has been diagnosed with cancer of the kidney stage 4 which is terminal. His favorite "Grand Dog" really helps in boosting his spirits. Yet Looney (nickname) is so gentle and careful with Daddy. He goes over and puts his head on my Father's lap and looks up into his eyes. He will just stand there and let my Father pet his head and rub his ears. He doesn't do this with anyone else but my Father which thrills my Father.

Anyway, just wanted to touch base with you and let you know we are doing great. Dr. Alex has scheduled Looney's operation for March as he wanted to get him a little further out in growth before having to operate on him. He will at that time be tattooed to ensure safe return should he ever wander away which I am seriously doubting. Take care and you should receive registration this coming next week.