Therapy Dog Training pt 7: Its All Done!

Well, not all done. Bernie and I SUCCESSFULLY completed the therapy dog training with Paws with Love which is affiliated with Therapy Dogs Inc. We were both tested last night which we passed all tasks. I was tested in the handler proficiency skills and Bernie on his proficiency of following directions. Together, we make a therapy dog team. So proud of him and us!! The only thing left is 3 observations in a variety of settings in order to ensure Bernie still is calm and responsive when new distractions come into play.

Bernie loved attending class every Monday. He grew into being the life of the class and other participants commented on how much Bernie was smiling last night. Bernie’s smile fades when a camera comes in front of him, but just picture him with his mouth parted, a huge grin across his face and his energy is telling me “what do you need me to do now”. I’m glad I got us involved in this. The experience expanded our relationship and strengthened it in ways I couldn’t even imagine. 

On my end, it was reinforcing for me in getting my recognition for using a rewards based training program with Bernie. Yes, I’ve used food as a reward mechanism in training him in such cues as look at me, sit, sit/stay, down, down/stay, touch, recall and even lowing his reactivity to new and strange stimuli. The food motivated him to work and build trust with me. It helped him to work on his obedience cues when we were sitting during class which helped lower his overstimulation. It re-focused his attention on me and he was less aware of what was going on. The key for successful training is the ability to wean a dog off of treats and for him to continue to follow the handler’s lead. This is specifically done by pairing the treat with verbal praise and or affection. Over time, the dog will recognize praise as the reinforcer thereby removing the treats as a component. The test, not only for us, but for CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and the Therapy Dog Training all required a flat buckle collar, 6ft leash and NO TREATS! Bernie followed my lead, impeccably. The feedback I received was “Bernie will do anything you ask”, “You’re really great at giving praise”-which was also a testing requirement. At no time did I give a treat reward to Bernie during our test and Bernie STILL responded as enthusiastically as ever and may I even say better than last week! This proves to me Bernie is truly motivated by the act of doing the tasks rather than receiving the food. This is the goal for training! We also didn’t use ANY aversive methods such as shock collars, pinch or choke collars or even using the word NO. 

Build a relationship with your dog and will be amazing what you can both do together!

I have a few ideas of how to keep our momentum going in structured socialization and therapy dog interventions. I’m looking forward to share more of our adventures!

Therapy Dog Training pt 6

Ok, so I’m a week late with my update and tonight is our second to last class. We’re testing for our CGC, AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate. I’m feeling good, about it, but I wanted to share a little from last week.

 

Bernie post AKC Canine Good Citizen Test
 
Last Monday, the Boy Scouts came and the kids were so gracious in helping our class out. One boy was asked to jump around, in front of the dogs and dart around them. Bernie was great, he immediately wanted to go into a play bow and run around with him, but he was required to keep his composure and he did, fabulously! There was one boy who had his arms crossed and looked like he was forced to be there. He had no interest and said he’s afraid of big dogs. When it was our turn, that same little boy softened and asked me if he could give Bernie a treat. He did and Bernie licked his hand. After that, the boy was open in meeting the rest of the dogs in the class. I’ve always heard when he’s at day care or being boarded how Bernie really draws out the shy and bit withdrawn dogs. I guess that’s true of kids too 🙂

Afterwards, we were asked to simulate a reading group. We were paired up with a boy and we were asked to pretend the boy was reading to us. Bernie settled down quickly and immediately rolled over onto his back looking for belly rubs. Bernie’s presence really opened up conversation between the boy and I. It was relaxed and the boy seemed more open in sharing his thoughts and 

Therapy Dog Training pt 4 & 5

Last week was a bit more hectic. The before/after school program for school aged kids I also work at changed the staff’s hours to accommodate the kids for all day care. The kids had fall break, and let me tell you they acted like it was summer and they weren’t going back to school for months :). Since the kids were out of school, we had our hands full with providing all day enrichment activities. I enjoy this type of work, especially when the staff are all onboard with programming and working as a team. 

The kids being at our center all day gives me an opportunity in knowing them as individuals and knowing their interests. At times, I’m impressed with their higher order thinking and critically assessing situations for say an 8 year old. This motivates me in building upon basic activities and challenging them in new ways for their growth.

At the same time in being amazed by the inquisitive nature and their willingness in trying new things, I’m also confounded by the weight resting on some of their shoulders. One child blew me away. Let’s call her Sally (I’m protecting her identity by not disclosing her real name or age). She’s in 4th grade and new this school year as well as our program. Sally spent much of her time over fall break hanging out in the same area as me. I suggested to her to try another area so she can be around different kids, be exposed to different activities and maybe take the chance in going outside. She refused. At one point, she seemed withdrawn and disinterested. I asked Sally how she was feeling and responded “I’m fine”. I know this answer isn’t really answering the question and with her body language, she didn’t seem happy. In engaging her in conversation she shared with me when she was younger (remember, she’s about 9 or 10 years old), Sally thought about suicide. After she shared with me what happened and how her parents were and continue to be involved in treating her depression, I thought about Bernie and our therapy dog training.

After 5 weeks of training, I see how Bernie will excel in opening someone’s heart who is missing love and compassion in their lives. Bernie’s joy is visible and palatable. You can see his excitement for meeting new people just exudes from him during class. His tail happily wagging, his loose and wiggly body posture when someone comes up to him to greet him he sometimes can’t help himself from hopping up to kiss them (especially the ladies). His once fearful nature of hiding and running away from something unfamiliar, he now greets it with enthusiasm and above all else, trust. Trust that the unfamiliar thing won’t hurt him or scare him in any way.

  
The intersection between children needing extra love and sensitivity and Bernie’s over abundance of giving will fill a hole at our center.  My hope is that this vision of incorporating some level of animal assisted therapy is shared by the management staff there. I know Bernie’s presence will inevitably unlock the children’s hearts and enable them to expand their social-emotional growth further. 

We still have some things to work on like unsolicited kisses, but I’m excited about our upcoming session with the Boy Scouts and our final exams. 

Let’s here one for Bernie 😄🐾❤️💥