The First Day is a Big Day

Yes, your face WILL stick like that.
This entry is part 3 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

A California puppy haiku: Snow is weird and cold. OMG! You can eat it! Ow-wow-wow brain freeze. Due to a lucky “break” in our cold snap, Mindy experienced only a 70-degree drop in temperature when we arrived home late Monday night. I took her out to urinate on the new… Continue reading

Day 2 with the Guide Dog puppy: Moving Fast

"You mean I can lie here and get treats for watching the people? Seriously?"
This entry is part 4 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

So yeah, lots of puppy posts. Not gonna apologize. This one’s a little less “aww!” and a little more training-oriented. I’ve got to type fast, though, because I just put the pup down for a nap after a big afternoon! Continue reading

Puppy Tales

She got a glamour shot before going into ClickerExpo. Kinda cute!
This entry is part 5 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

A bunch of vignettes and little announcements today…. Breed Differences Remember, I’m coming from Dobermans, who are generally happy to play in puddles or lakes but regard falling water as acid rain. I had to work a deal with Laev, introducing her to a hose spray during bitework: “If you… Continue reading

A Big Day 4 (and end of the first week)

puppy under the table at a restaurant.
This entry is part 6 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

My husband met the puppy for the first time Friday morning. They’ve seemed to hit it off pretty well. I had made plans to go to the Home Show with others, and I knew it would be a great big experience for the new pup. It also had the potential… Continue reading

Service Animal Etiquette. Seriously, People.

This entry is part 7 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

I was at a restaurant once when a woman was seated at the next table with her service animal, a Capuchin monkey. I was horrified when a man brought his son to her table to “meet your monkey” and pet it. Seriously, mister, would you bring your kid over and… Continue reading

The Unseen Fun of a Service Dog’s Life

Chilling while the human guests play Pathfinder.
This entry is part 8 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

Several people have asked me questions about service dogs, whether they’re always “on the job” or could have normal dog lives. A few were under the heartbreaking impression that because one isn’t supposed to pet service dogs while they’re working, that service dogs aren’t ever to be petted, even at… Continue reading

Puppy’s First Clicker Session

How I get things done: I placed a blanket and a chew in a sun-spot. I cheat.
This entry is part 9 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

She’s a bit young to be have flashbacks already, but here’s a look back at Mindy’s very first clicker session. After our long flights home, Mindy was full of hollow energy. She’d slept on the plane, so she was awake, but it had been a crazy long day, so she… Continue reading

Steampunk Puppy: “They call me CAPTAIN Mindy!”

This entry is part 10 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

Fun puppy socialization outing this weekend! And some socialization opportunities are too good to pass up. In one of my other lives, I’m a costumer, and we were presenting some costume panels this weekend at a steampunk event. Saturday my husband was going to be very busy and couldn’t keep… Continue reading