The club for a unified Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog breed. Integrity. Honor. Truth.
Training
The Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog is an exceptionally intelligent and highly trainable dog breed. With proper training, it possesses the ability to excel at whatever task it is faced with from hunting, agility, weight pull, protection, etc. It is indeed a versatile working breed with truly special traits suitable for individuals and families.
We encourage all Alapaha owners to participate, train and compete their Alapahas in different working venues. There is nothing a working dog loves more than the task or work he has been bred to do.
Below are two of the best dog trainers in the country who are helping us move the breed forward in the forefront of the working dog community. Their credentials speak for themselves. They both have Alapahas and have worked with several specimens of the breed. Their unique perspective and keen understanding based on their first hand knowledge and experience with the breed gives us an extraordinary insight through a trainer's point of view. Both Chad Alden and Eric Gonzales are active members of our team and would be helping the Club and its members with training and "working" needs. They will be holding seminars in our shows and similarly would be active in working, assessing and testing our dogs. For training needs and concerns, please do not hesitate to contact either one of them.
Eric Gonzales
Gonzohaus K9 Services
305-970-6813
Gonzohaus K9 services (GK9s) was initially founded in 1999. In the early 90’s, Eric joined the likes of Grace Acosta, president of the largest Rottweiler Club in the country (Gulfstream Rottweilers Club) and familiarised himself with different avenues of the canine industry, participating as a Temperament Judge, Canine Good Citizen judge, and show matches for conformation.
As Eric thirst for more knowledge within the canine industry, he began to train under the likes of renowned animal trainer, Omar Mueller, which continues to work with him to date. Throughout the years he also with trained and worked with many canine trainers and enthusiasts like Phil Hoecher as a decoy apprentice; Tony Guzman; Ken Jackson, and many more too numerous to mention.
He later became the K9 Supervisor (Sargeant) and spearheaded the canine unit that was reestablished at South Florida Reception Center - Department of Corrections (1996). After several years supervising their canine program which consisted of Bloodhounds for their tracking (escape) program, Eric was then hired as a Narcotics handler in the Inspector General’s K9 Interdiction Unit (2000).
This privilege allowed Eric to train and work alongside many agencies. Below are examples of a few:
US Customs (Fedaral)
Florida State Troopers (State)
Miami-Dade Police Department (County)
City of Miami Police Department (City)
Sweetwater Police Department (City)
South Bay Police Department (City)
Eric Gonzales retired from the agency in 2005 as he launched into entrepreneurship. In 2008, he authored his first book “Dog Training for the General Public” which is currently sold in several stores throughout town.
In 2010, he was contracted as a Kennel Master on a Department of Defense contract which allowed him to oversee several handler/canine teams specifically dealing with dual purpose canines (Explosives/Narcotics Detector Dogs with Protection/Patrol capabilities).
To date, Eric assists Miami Dade College in their “K9 Tactical Deployment Class”, specifically for Police k9 Handlers, as well as assisting local police departments maintain and develop their canine programs. Some of his dogs have gone to play in movies, TV programs, and music videos alike. He is a trainer that believes in a diversity of techniques and methods, not only to achieve his goals but to rise above the expectations of others.
Chad Alden
Sentinel Canine
603-422-4174
Chad has owned dogs since a very young age getting his first dog at age 6. As a kid he taught his dogs a variety of tricks and became intrigued with their ability to learn. He began his serious K9 training in 1992 while working with a Police Department in Virginia. There he worked with handlers and trainers from the Department as well as from the FBI. Chad has BA degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from American University in Washington, DC.
Over the years Chad has honed his K9 training skills and has been fortunate enough to work with some of the top trainers in the country and around the world. His approach is simple – create a clear path of communication between you and your dog.
Chad first became involved with Alaphas after getting a male from Eric Armell in 2008. Soon after, Chad met Mike Connors and began training with him full time. Chad and Mike successfully helped prepare many handler/dog teams for competition including the only female Alpaha to title to PSA1 – Oldhams Teeny (Goddess of War).
Chad continues to train and work with Alapahas and currently owns three. His goal is to help people interested in the breed bring these wonderful dogs to prominence in both the personal protection and competitive dog sport world.
Chad’s K9 Training Highlights and Achievements
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Trainer and Canine Behavior Rehabilitation Specialist
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Certified Trainer and Evaluator for National Service Dogs
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Certified PSA Training and Trial Decoy 2010
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Certified NADF Training and Trial Decoy 2014
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Selected as Trial Decoy for PSA East Coast Regional’s 2010, 2011
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Selected as Decoy for Working Pitbull Association National Championship 2012
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Performed Trial Decoy / Trainer Duties for over 50 PSA Trials and open training events
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Performed Decoy / Trainer work for Police Officers and Departments in MA/NH/ME/MD/OH/VA
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Expert Witness for court cases involving K9 Aggression and Behavior
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Hosts seminars on K9 Behavior, Obedience Training, and Bite Prevention
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Founding member and Trainer /Decoy for B and H Working Dog Club – Club Titled Six Dogs in Obedience and Protection Work in PSA in 2010
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Founding Member and Head Trainer/Decoy of Hard Knocks Working Dog Club – Currently Training and preparing several dogs for competition in Obedience and Protection in PSA and NADF.
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Rescue, Rehabilitate and Rehome High Risk K9’s
About the Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog: From a Trainer's Perspective
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog was a dog which caught my attention after seeing the structure and temperament of the breed. I was one to often favor strong tempered dogs, and the Alapaha met that criteria, at least with my immediate introduction. The first time I had gotten bit by a dog was with an Alapaha (Ra). During the attack, I experienced first hand the commitment the breed possessed and thus drew a fond appreciation toward the breed. Though my statement may seem somewhat questionable when speaking on behalf of the breed, but I prefer “transparency” which will allow me to be extremely honest and fare toward the breed, nonetheless.
Advised by other Alapaha enthusiasts about the strong and somewhat questionable temperaments following the attack increased my desires to obtain an Alapaha. I obtained one of Ra’s sons (Kairo). I began working with him, and achieved the success I was looking for by making him into one of the first Alapaha’s to be aired on a music video (“Str8 Up” by One Trigga - 2009) as a skateboarding dog.
Soon after I met Kimbo, Ra’s littermate and vowed to eventually obtain a puppy he would sire; as the admirer I had become of Kimbo. By 2012 (February) the puppy (BDK Gonzo) I was waiting for finally arrived. Gonzo, has turned out to be a phenomenal dog, becoming proficient in obedience, including tricks and protection. He too has had his day on camera, airing on one of the most recognized Spanish shows in South Florida (El Show de Charytin).
While training other Alapahas to include my personal experience with the breed, I must say that it is a breed that requires an experienced hand. Sure, I can say, and I will, that it is a loyal companion, easily trainable, with a great disposition, however, taking this breed for granted, as many strong bully-type breeds, can be more liable than expected. Personally, I prefer a strong confident breed with tough characteristics than a softer performing breed. Alapahas are not models, though an attractive breed, they are confident when regarding their temperament.
In scope of all that I have said, I must remind you that any dog should be trained appropriately by an experienced trainer. Regardless of the temperaments of the Alapaha, how you handle your dog and the time you spend with the dog will ultimately determine your success.
Eric Gonzales
The current performance Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog can be an unmatched companion and working dog. I believe it can be the best pound for pound protection bulldog today. It is highly trainable and can be fiercely protective, dependable and reliable around family and kids and other animals. With proper training it possesses the ability to excel at whatever task it is faced with from hunting, agility, weight pull, protection, etc.
Currently the breed is going through some “growing pains” but that is not unlike what many other breeds have experienced before. Much of the controversy comes from misinformation and quite frankly lack of experience. The good news is the dogs don’t care about all the problems the humans cause. If they can work – they can work and it doesn’t really matter what “style” they are in my opinion. If you are happy with your dog that is all that matters.
When it comes to testing working dogs we are talking about an entirely different subject. What people will see is that certain dogs physical characteristics will better lend themselves to these competitive physical tests. The best performing dogs will naturally be more sought after and the selection process for breeding will hopefully follow the best performing / functioning dogs. My personal preference is for the standard type – leaner, longer muzzles, gamier – merely because I feel they are better suited for the work that I like to do – protection work. At the end of the day though I enjoy working with all of the dogs and helping people get the most out of their dogs that they can.
The most important thing for the breed is that people get out there and work their dogs in some way. Get out and meet other owners, breeders and trainers. Share information openly and listen with an open mind. I believe that is the goal of the ABBC and I am happy to help people achieve that goal.
Chad Alden
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