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 I’ve always heard when he’s at day care or being boarded how Bernie really draws out the shy and bit withdrawn dogs.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 😄🐾❤️💥

   
   

Therapy Dog Training pt3

Another Monday rolled around and of course that means therapy dog training class for me and Bern Bern.  I rushed home on Monday evening, Bernie didn’t get his usual walk before class, so I knew in the back of my head Bernie would have a bit more energy. I didn’t expect Bernie to act like it was his first day!

Bernie and I immediately started working. I worked on redirecting his attention on me and Bernie worked on making the choice to follow my lead than go where the new people and dogs are in class. The thing about group classes versus individual sessions are the level and types of distractions present. Individual sessions provide the client/handler and the dog the time alone in working on getting the obedience cues down pat. By down pat, I mean a 90% success rate of asking for a sit and the dog sitting 9 times out of 10 on the first ask. This success rate also applies for all basic obedience commands. The usual space conducive for such consistent results is in the dog’s home enviroment, particularly inside the home. Ideally, dogs spend most of their time in the home, so the daily goings on and the coming and going and routine reduces the intensity of the distraction for the dog. Its like when a person lives near railroad tracks and overtime they don’t even hear the train when it passes by. Bernie came a long way in following directions, walking on a loose leash and coming when called. Its a whole other story when he’s presented with new sights and smells and he’s out of his normal environment.

The group dog training class is a great tool for deepening a dog’s obedience and for structured socialization. I believe a group class is complementary to the private sessions. The group class provides added challenges to the dog and handler. The main challenge being distractions. The distractions range from a wide number of unfamiliar people and dogs, dog treat smells, different sounds within the building or outside and working in a group setting rather than one on one. The challenges present are a great asset in strengthening the bond between the dog and handler. How you may ask, well the distractions will act to pull the dog’s attention away while the desire to look for the handler will push the dog in thinking about following the obedience cues rather than indulging in the newness of his surroundings. On the other hand, a group setting can be too much for some. In a group setting, I’ve seen (and personally experienced) dogs become overstimulated even to the point of being overwhelmed. These dogs will bark uncontrollably, will not redirect attention back to the owner and it will make working on obedience cues extremely difficult, if not impossible. On the other hand, dogs who are overwhelmed may show opposite signs of stress. Dogs may shut down and will not follow the handler or show the interest in working on any training during class. In these instances, its vital for the handler to reconsider alternative plans. The idea of continuing to put the dog into this much stress, to me isn’t worth it and its not helping the bond between the handler and the dog. Quite frankly, its also a waste of money. 

Bernie is energized and alert in group training. He is continues to surprise me of how much he follows his commands. We still have a bit of trouble with the leave it cue when there is food on the ground, regardless, I’m happy with his progress. Bernie moved past his fear of men. He was able to happily go off into another room with one of the men in the class. He contined to show willingness to work and was delighted to do so.
  


All in all, group training classes are a great addition in working on obedience with your dog. Group classes aren’t for every dog. Its a matter of keeping an eye on how your dog is responding in a more stressful environment and responding to your dog’s needs. Ultimately, you are responsible for your dog’s well being and its important in ensuring your are looking out for his best interest.