Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Simon, if you remember...is now 1 year old. He passed his Canine good Citizen at 10 1/2 months. His birthday was june 29, he passed his Therapy Dog Internation Test too.

I didnt think it was going to happen. He was a puller on the leash forever. I had used a prong but for class i went to a flat leash since that is required. We walked every day at different places. He is not quite ready for visits yet since he tends to pull in new situations so I will give a few more months.

He is charming and delightful and just loves people. I think the turn in my training when I started to relax and make it fun for him and me and not get frustrated but stay consistent and calm.
A trainer noticed that he was not waggin in his tail in class anymore. So I changed. I laughed more and we played more. My praise went up a couple of notches. It just suddenly all clicked. We bonded more so...and so important as Kathy points out is the attention. He watches me now and knows what I want.

Just wanted to share the good news.
Ada

>>A trainer noticed that he was not waggin in his tail in class anymore. So I changed. I laughed more and we played more. My praise went up a couple of notches. It just suddenly all clicked. We bonded more so...and so important as Kathy points out is the attention. He watches me now and knows what I want.
>>
>>Just wanted to share the good news.
>>Ada
>>

It sure sounds like you've had good instructors, and have a lot of handling talent yourself! Good things are ahead for you and Simon. That attention, it makes everything easier. He's going to want more and more to please you, too, with you showing him that much appreciation. I've been thrilled to watch this process with my youngest therapy dog, Believer, now about 3 1/2. It just makes her day when I praise her. And it's not like I'm stingy with the praise--she gets a lot of it! But she never gets tired of it. She smiles, wags, and is extremely pleased when she can please me. While dogs have some natural limits as to how interested they are going to be in pleasing humans, from their breeding, this is a quality that you can build in a dog, to make it stronger and stronger. It sure makes for a fulfilling partnership with the dog. And when he trusts you like that, he'll be all that much more interested in making friends with people on therapy dog visits, as your partner. He'll figure out that is what you want him to do, and it just keeps getting better!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Woohoo, way to go Simon!!! What a dog. Sounds like you are both very happy and that things couldn't be better. Congreytulations!!!
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Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog
My furkids: Kira, Lyta, Jadzia

Way to Go...You should brag, that is an achievement to share. Simon will bring joy to many lives he will touch with therapy. It is such a rewarding field and your bonding will continue to grow. Ada, congratulations on a job well done. Oh for the record when we went through training it was me being trained not the furbaby. LOL
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Anita

Barney

Sailor

Paris

Ada
Congratulations! Simon is absolutely gorgeous! I love his coloring. How often do you train him?

Sorry it took so long to get back...I was on vacation.
We were taking one class a week but I train all day really! We go for walks where we practice obedience commands. In the house, same thing. I cant really say I have sessions. 5 minutes here, 2 minutes there. I think we are always training and on our toes.
I take him out to social settings twice a week..flea market, ice cream stand etc, where there are lots of people. I practice there too. He has his great days and once ina while an "I don't want to listen" day. So I have to wait until he matures alittle more before we do actual visits.
Thanks for replying.
Ada

>>I take him out to social settings twice a week..flea market, ice cream stand etc, where there are lots of people. I practice there too. He has his great days and once ina while an "I don't want to listen" day. So I have to wait until he matures alittle more before we do actual visits.
>>Thanks for replying.
>>Ada

LOL, this is a good description of adolescence in a great dog! I continue to greatly admire your good judgement about your dog's needs. You and he are going to be an awesome team!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Thanks Kathy
Although I am anxious to do actual visits..I know he is not quite there. I have learned to be patient in his growing and letting him be a puppy before we to "work". The best comment I received was from an elderly woman who was at the ice cream stand with Simon and I. She kept on looking at him and finally said. "he is so darling. I was bitten by a dog when I was 5 years old and haven't been near one since. But your dog has such a warm disposition and I can't resist his cute face". I asked if she wanted to pet him. She was hesitant but I said I will turn him around so you can pet his back if touching his head might worry you. Simon sat quietly. The woman patted his back and then she patted his head. She was so happy. She had wanted to race her fears for years but didn't trust dogs. Simon, with his teddy bear head, just melted her heart. That was the best!!!!