MANKATO — It wasn’t Kozy’s fault, they say, that the loud, smelly basement of a converted home-turned animal shelter may not have the best clay out of which to mold a model canine.

And, after spending time with the friendly but rambunctious 3-year-old mutt, prospective owners tended to back off. After 11 months in such confinement, there was a growing worry that Kozy would become more aggressive, threatening his chances for adoption — even his chances for surviving.

Faced with few choices for a dog foisted on them by his former owners, the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society finally settled on a way to boost Kozy’s chances to find a home. And it’s looking good.

A bit of polish

It wasn’t really more than what any untrained dog might do, but Kozy’s leash-pulling and jumping was not helping him leave the shelter.

What he needed, BENCHS board member Pauline Kruger said, was just for someone to “polish him up a little bit.”

Turns out Mark Kozitza, a rural North Mankato trainer and breeder, was just the man to do it. The name of his business — Kozie’s Training Kennel — was pure coincidence.

When Kozy came to Kozitza’s farm, the dog obeyed no commands except for “sit,” — and even that one didn’t last too long.

Twenty-one days later, about a half-dozen onlookers watched Tuesday afternoon as their newly molded mutt obeyed commands and ran through an obstacle course.

The contrast between the old, insubordinate Kozy (volunteers speculate he’s a lab-husky mix) and the attentive dog before them nearly brought BENCHS volunteer Katherine Nelson to tears.

Imagine trapping a human in that cage for 11 months, Nelson said, and expecting the same results.

Kozy n’ Kozie

Decked out in an olive drab shirt, black vest and camouflage slacks, Kozitza looked like a model disciplinarian.

But you probably couldn’t see him sneak pieces of hot dog treats from his mouth to Kozy’s, both as a reward for the dog’s good behavior and to train him to watch his mouth for commands.

And that’s just what happens, as the dog’s eyes lock on Kozitza’s mouth, waiting for short, clipped orders.

“He’s a delight to work with,” Kozitza said. “Whoever gets this dog is going to be very fortunate.”

Ambassador Kozy

But responsibilities will likely follow Kozy out of the shelter.

You see, BENCHS volunteers now have the leverage of a trained, obedient dog. They’re planning on choosing an owner who Nelson says can be an “ambassador” for the training program.

“We’re looking for a special owner who will continue Mark (Kozitza’s) work,” she said.

The shelter was closed Wednesday, but Don Nelson, another volunteer, said that a few people have shown interest in adopting Kozy.

First of many?

Kozy was by far the longest tenant at the shelter, so he came first. But the volunteers suspect he won’t be the last.

The 21-day trip cost the shelter $525, but the money was raised entirely for this purpose.

Naturally, volunteers want their animals to be adopted before training becomes necessary.

Ron Nelson says that would happen a lot quicker if and when the humane society builds a new shelter.

“If we had a decent facility ... our adoption success rate would quadruple, at least,” Don Nelson said. “It’s sad.”

For more information on adopting Kozy, call the shelter at 625-6373.

“He’s come a long ways in 21 days,” Kozitza said.