He is a beautiful specimen. Because of the circumstances, I think there is a slight reluctance on everyone's part to embrace the beauty of the dog after just having to abandon one that brought such total love. Son said he would go to Onco's kennel each night just to say hi. He won't be doing that after this weekend away and the bonding gap is closing fast for both dog and handler.

Teddy- It is very much voice recognition........along with hand signals and that they try to separate the basic discipline commands (which is what Onco was lacking) and 'working' commands. He needs to respond to other people for daily life but has to have one ultimate master just as your family pet has one person they go to when two are calling. His tasks will often be under excited conditions, so anything that lessens confusion is done. German is only used because that is where he was born and any unique sounds help separate any counter commands that would have no meaning.

At least that is my understanding of it all from afar and as a non-professional handler.

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