Clicker Expo and After

black lab puppy seated at edge of cliff, looking over river gorge
This entry is part 12 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

What a week! Mindy and I traveled to Clicker Expo in Norfolk, Virginia, and because I didn’t want to fly her, we drove. It wasn’t a bad drive, about 12 hours, and I broke it up into two days with a bit of hiking each way. “Not a Real Service… Continue reading

Resisting Temptation

This entry is part 11 of 25 in the series Service Dog Training

So the puppy and I had a night out last week to the New Day Meadery, a local mead and cider room. (I drink very little, maybe a glass every couple of months, but I find their libations very tasty.) Their tasting room also offers specialty foods, and I ordered… Continue reading

An Easy Pill to Swallow, Training to Take Pills the Easy Way, Part 3

This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series An Easy Pill to Swallow

It’s been a while since I mentioned this, but this is a skill which we often wish our dogs had, but rarely teach them before we need it. Mindy had to learn it early, when a urinary tract infection required antibiotics. So here’s a short video of Mindy taking her… 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

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

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

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

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

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