This is the story of a family and dog rescuing each other.
“It was love at first sight,” said Beth Batig about her family’s mastiff, Sherman. “I remember telling my kids on the way home from meeting him that it was okay if we didn’t get this dog because he’d go where he needed to be — but I was thinking to myself that I’d be devastated.”
At just over a year old, Sherman had already lived in two different homes. His first owners gave him to a friend when they relocated out of the country. While on his second family’s property, he was attacked by a loose neighborhood dog — and because of the yard’s electric fence, Sherman was unable to escape. The other dog, who was much smaller, sustained a mild injury, and its owner insisted that Sherman either be put down or rehomed.
At this point his family agreed to foster him until he was adopted through Misunderstood Mutts rescue.
Meanwhile, when Beth’s son asked if they could finally get another dog — it had been six years since their family’s chocolate Labrador had passed away — she was immediately drawn to Sherman’s Petfinder profile. She’d always loved large pets (“100 pounds is my minimum,” she said, noting that her husband Paul laughs at her size requirement) and had thought “Sherman” would be a great name ever since the Seattle Seahawks won the 2014 Super Bowl.
Well, there he was: a 120-pound mastiff named to perfection. It felt meant to be!
Beth’s family was one of three who went to meet Sherman. He was nervous but quickly settled in their presence — the rescue said there was no question. They had chosen him, and he had chosen them right back.
Sherman carried his past trauma with him at first — he was clearly afraid of other dogs and could be reactive in their presence. Since he’d already been through so much in a short amount of time, the rescue stressed how important it was that his next home was his forever home.
Thankfully, Beth is a preschool teacher with a background in behaviorism. “Creating routines and keeping things simple, that’s what I know and do,” she said. Her family felt confident they could help Sherman with whatever he needed.
And help they have! In just over two years, Sherman has completely come out of his shell. The Batig’s rescue mastiff is more confident and goofy than ever.
One huge part of Sherman’s new life? After being attacked, he’s finally gotten the opportunity to safely interact with other dogs thanks to Sniffspot.
Sherman was quite reactive to the Batig’s next-door-neighbor’s young German shepherd, Ryker, when he first came home. He showed an obvious fear that this unfamiliar dog would get into his space — and who could blame him after what had happened in his last home?
Beth and her neighbor decided to take both dogs to a nearby Sniffspot to see how they’d do in a secure, neutral location. Sherman had the space and time he needed to warm up to his new friend — and after an initial period of uncertainty, he started to loosen up.
“They parallel played like children do. They didn’t actually play together but we could throw balls near each other, and we could even share snacks,” Beth said about their first Sniffspot experience. It was amazing to see him have fun in a situation that used to be scary — and since that day, Sherman and Ryker’s bond has only grown!
“My husband even built a doggie door in our wooden privacy fence so we can connect the two yards when we aren’t able to make it all the way to a Sniffspot,” Beth said. The two now greet each other nose-to-nose every single morning and love being neighbors.
Sherman has since made other friends in the same way. He’s still unsure of dogs he hasn’t met in other spaces like public parks, so visiting private spots has been really special. “I don’t think his life would be as full without being able to access those safe, neutral areas through Sniffspot.”
Just as clear as the impact Beth’s family has had on Sherman? The impact he has had on them. Beth says Sherman is the best “untrained therapy dog” in the world now that he’s settled into his new home and built confidence.
Prior to adopting their mastiff, The Batig’s middle-school-aged son was struggling with anxiety to the point that he barely wanted to leave the house. Beth felt at a loss as a mother — but Sherman knew just how to sense and ease Tyler’s worries. The big dog provides a form of deep pressure therapy by laying his big head on her son’s lap and acting like a living weighted blanket, which helps him stay grounded.
Sherman has also helped Beth’s shy daughter come out of her shell. Now Emily has something to talk about at school (“my dog weighs more than me!” is a favorite fun fact) and the mastiff regularly tags along to pick her up after classes, where Beth laughs at the juniors and seniors hustling over to get their Sherman love.
In fact, laughter is a central theme of life with Sherman. For a dog with a rocky past, he certainly doesn’t hold himself back — family, friends, and neighbors all love his goofy antics.
Here are just a few quirks Beth shared. (It’s impossible to narrow it down to one favorite!
Today, the Batig family couldn’t be happier to share their life with Sherman — and he seems just as thrilled. “My son’s anxiety has become very manageable, and our home is filled with so much love and happiness,” Beth shared with a smile.
In an average week, their rescue mastiff has at least one Sniffspot playdate with his best friend (and sometimes more in their adjoining backyards). He follows his mom loyally around the house. They amble through the neighborhood on leisurely walks and snuggle up together at home.
Sherman is a central part of the family — and it’s only been two years. Here’s to all the adventures ahead!
Traveling with your dog can be a rewarding experience, but what do you do when adventure calls you to a place that’s a bit too far for a drive? If you're a pet-owner who want to jetset with your pup, then you’ll want to find the best dog-friendly airlines.
Discover the Great Pyrenees, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and independent nature. Recognized as a large dog, the Great Pyrenees have their origins in France where they were initially bred as livestock guardians starting in the roots back to 3000 BC century.
Discover the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a breed celebrated for its loyal, playful, and friendly nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Staffordshire Bull Terriers originated in the United Kingdom, where they were initially bred for bull-baiting and later for dog fighting starting in the early 19th century.
Discover the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a breed celebrated for its friendly and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have their origins in Wales, where they were initially bred for herding cattle, sheep, and horses starting in the 10th century.
Discover the Boxer, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and alert nature. Recognized as a large dog, Boxers have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting large game starting in the late 19th century.
Discover the Great Dane, a breed celebrated for its friendly, affectionate, and curious nature. Recognized as a large dog, Great Danes have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting and guarding starting in the 16th century.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
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Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
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Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.