Louie's big day!

[Debby Bee]

My bucketlist includes being a part of a therapy team with my dog. I have wanted this all my life. My work schedule finally lends itself to this and tomorrow I will take Louie for a pre-screening to see if he is a candidate for the training school. I am nervous and excited. Please send me lots of good vibes. I am a firm believer that things like that work! Louie is so great with kids, strangers and other dogs,.......but what about other things, noises, elevators, hospital equipment? Don't know yet! Here we go,.......

[Debby Bee]

Well in therapy class Louie got bad scores for first barking when the trainer kneed him in the behind, which is not allowed. Then he got bad scores for not allowing the trainer to easily poke her fingers in his mouth. He just kept pulling his head away. I kinda don't blame him on either count. ;-D

 

[Carol and Banjo]

Awww Louie....you're doing GREAT!!!!    Excellent report card!

[Debby Bee]

First report card for our Therapy Class was two A's, 3 B's & an F. Second report card; three A's, two B's & an F. Guessing that when I get last week's report card it will be the same. I know you are wondering what the F was for, right? He is too happy when we greet people, they want him to be calmer. Hey for the first hour and 20 minutes last week we had to keep our dogs in a down on a blanket and he was awesome. Not sure how he will do with the other species element of the practice test this coming week. A couple of dogs, a cat and rabbit sitting in our path and he has to ignore them. Hmmmmmmm........

[Debby Bee]

Yesterday was class #2 and we got all 2's or 3's, except human interaction we got a NR. (Scores are NR=not ready, 1, 2, & 3 as best.) He was happy to meet the man evaluator and the guy said Louie was too enthusiastic. Unfortunately he did the same thing last week. I am worried. One of the dogs got cut from Therapy School becasue during the 60min lecture he stood up about 5 times. He never left the blanket but he got up. They told the handler that Brutus needs to settle better and kicked him out. From my perspective he improved over last week. Makes me very scared for Louie!

[Debby Bee]

Louie's homework today: Visit Tractor Supply. Skid loaders, metal carts, horse, rabbit & dog food everywhere. Lots of big guys, children, clerks, automatic doors and baby chicks. Wow, he was on the alert. Overall I think we did okay.

[Debby Bee]

Well tomorrow morning is the first 2 hour pet therapy training class. We were told to bring a blanket and be ready to sit on the floor with our dogs for a one hour lecture and then after that we will do some exercises. So if I throw the tennis ball for him for an hour before we go will he be settled enough to stay in a down? I have to admit I am nervous! Any advice? :-)

[Debby Bee]

Well, all of you have been such confidence builders for me,....let's see if Louie gets the message. The dog trainer we go to regularly is very positive about this situation. He got quite upset at what was said to me and assured me we would make this negative therapy trainer eat his words. Ok,....then! My goal is to have Louie make a better impression when we get to class next Tuesday and when we leave class. Plus we have to sit for the first hour for a lecture before we do any actual dog training. Will be interesting!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I find this current part of this conversation very interesting.  As you know, Sophie is registered with Delta Society.  She currently visits at one of the local hospitals in addition to a few other places.  We encounter many individuals at the hospital that have Doodles, as well as many visitors that have them or are familiar with them.  I have on many occasions had conversations with people that tell me they cannot believe how well behaved and calm that Sophie is .... they will say, OMG I could never do this with my doodle, he/she is crazy!  Then they will follow this with where did you get her or who was your breeder, like that actually had something to do with it!  I of course follow  this with "SHE DIDN'T COME THIS WAY" ..... there are hundreds of hours of training that went in to getting her to this point!  Some people just do not get it and it drives me crazy.  The fact that a trainer would make these comments really drives me crazy.  I admit I have found that the AKC world will take any opportunity to bad mouth Doodles and I just write it off that they are jealous.  Anytime you see a list of the best family dogs or the smartest dogs, the top 5 will always include the Poodle, Lab and Golden, so how could a combination of the two dogs be anything other than smart ...... yes, they are puppies and full of energy for many months, but if the owner is smart enough to train them and give them a loving caring environment, you have a winning combination.  I say you and Louie just go in there and prove the trainer wrong!

[Martha & Cooper]

I would probably let it go, unless the comments continue, then I would say something.   I seem to get a lot of comments about Cooper from people that are "trainers", when they hear or see that I have a Goldendoodle.  I don't understand it and usually just let it roll off my back because they don't know my dog.  I have to admit, he can be a handful at times, but he is still learning.   Before I even got Cooper I stopped in at Petsmart and bought a crate and some supplies and the trainer there asked me what kind of puppy I had and I told her I was getting a mini goldendoodle and she just rolled her eyes and said "Good Luck with that."  I asked her what she meant and she said they are hard to train, goofy and stubborn.    I don't agree with her at all about the training.  Although, he can sometimes be a little goofy and stubborn.  LOL!   It was the way she said it that was uncalled for. Then, I have had people say to me that they would never get a "Designer Dog".   That irritates me too.  Geesh!

[Carol and Banjo]

Let it go Debby.    To make a broad statement like that about any breed doesn't seem right to me.  Each dog should be judged on his own merits.   He settled nicely for you and it's very probable that once you get into a routine of going to class that 15 minutes will get shorter and shorter.  Doing your homework on a daily basis will help Louie to learn what's expected of him too.   I really think dogs enjoy "working", so the goal may be yours (he's a dog and doesn't "get" goals) but the rewards will be both of yours!