Lady Belle - Adventures of a Blind Doodle #5-Training

[Thomas, Chari, & Lady Belle]

Hello, Belle here,

It had been a fairly dull week until Monday.  Dad Tom was working at a banking school in Madison and wasn’t around nearly as much as I’d like.  Yes we walked 2-3 miles in the morning.  But not only wasn’t he around during the day time, my huge dog park was closed.

But yesterday was a very special day.  Banker school is out so Dad Tom was around.  We went on our morning walk.  Then after I had a chance to rest, he started working with me on “Sit” and “Lay”.  He told me I was going to meet my personal trainer and that he wanted me to make a good impression.

We got into the car around 11:15 and he drove me to this park.  We got out for a stop and sniff walk.  Then we arrived at this old bowling alley that had been converted into a Dog Exercise Zone.  Giene met us at the door.  She is the top rated dog trainer in Madison.  We walked through this big room.  There is a full sized agility course set up in the room.  From there we went to her office.

She was really nice to me.  She kept telling me how pretty I am.  Dad Tom had a long list of my behaviors and our training objectives.  First on his list was “Settle”.  I guess I need to settle before I meet people and other dogs.  She explained that Dad Tom should ask them to wait while he prepared me for the meeting by talking very gently and smoothing my fur on my back.  I guess I won’t get to meet them until I’m settled.  She showed Dad Tom how to do this.  I love to be petted and talked to softly so I think I can master this.  I guess he doesn’t need to give me treats for this command as it will be enough of a treat to meet people.

Then she showed Dad Tom how to teach me to heel.  I guess the key is head position.  She suggested he use a clicker and treats to click/reward when my head is right next to his leg.  It doesn’t sound too hard and there will be lots of treats.

Then they discussed “Stop”.   Apparently this starts out as clicker training.  That’s cool.  This click/reward thing sounds like fun.  This command is more difficult as the behavior needs to be shaped over a series of transitions.  Dad isn’t even supposed to use the command “Stop” until my behavior is fully shaped.  The objective is that wherever I am, I stop dead on command.

Dad had more commands on his list, but felt this was enough to work on for the next few weeks when we will get together again.

Then Dad asked her what kind of dog I was.  She indicated I was a really nice dog.  All through the discussion you could tell she was modifying her recommended approach to deal with the fact I’m blind. 

She strongly recommended me as a potential pet therapy dog.  I heard her say I could make a real difference in some people’s lives.  I just love people and this seems really cool.

Dad asked her about classes.  She recommended their Focused and Confident Class which teach us us how to be focused and confident no matter what is going on around us.  Dad enrolled me in the class which starts September 23^rd.  I’m so excited.  There will be people, people, people and dogs, dogs, dogs.

They also offer a Therapy Dog Prep Class.  If I do well in Focused and Confident, I can move on to the Therapy Class.  From there I can be certified as a Therapy dog.

Dad also asked her about Agility Training.  She said I would need to function really well under voice command.  Then she looked at me and said, “Why Not?”  “If it is something I would really enjoy, I should be able to do it.”

No pictures today.  I hope you can hear how happy I am from my words.

Belle

[Leslie J]

Sounds like a fun place, Belle! I working on my settle too... It's so hard to be calm when all these interesting up people are around!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Yes- I do think you can tell how happy you are from the words...great news 

[Stella]

Great news. Hope you both enjoy class!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Belle - so glad you found Tom - It sounds as though you complement each other!!

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Sounds like a great plan!!!!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Great :)  What a happy ending to a future

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wow Belle, it may have been a dull week but your future sure sounds busy and exciting! I can't wait to hear about your adventures in Focused and Confident Class!