i ♥ dexter
We went to a Therapy Dogs United supported book fair at the Erie Barnes & Noble Wednesday night. Pretty much all the TDU events are in Erie, and I live about an hour and a half away, so I don’t get to do much with them. It was nice to meet more of the members and their dogs. Dexter fell in love with Sophie the Great Pyrenees (with the pink bows on her ears), and has a total bro crush on Big Ben the Lab, whose name is in no was an exageration.
It was nice to watch Dex work. He is always a hit with the kids, who think he’s weird and cool-looking, and like his size. He’s started doing this thing when a child gets down on their knees in front of him: he sits up and puts a paw on each shoulder and sniffs their face. If they don’t pull away, he give them kisses. This always gets a lot of laughs and squeals, and they run and tell their parents about it.
Below, Dex finishes off the last of a goat bottle…
This was in the same folder and the photo above, and I don’t think I ever got around to posting it.
I ♥ ♥ ♥ DEXTER!
ha!
This photo is Dex to a tee. What a mellow, happy guy.
Dex loves his job. He goes to Heritage Green Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility on Mondays. Since he’s so short, we push him around in a wheelchair so that he is within visiting distance of the residents. You can tell he thinks that he is pretty special on his throne.
For the record, *I* did not get an ID badge. 😉
coming soon: dexter, tdu
Sometimes I will post on Facebook, and then don’t get around to this blog until later. One thing I missed is the announcement that Dex will be taking the first test on his road to becoming a therapy dog this June.
The organization I decided to work with is Therapy Dogs United, an Erie based not-for-profit that covers Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York.
I have no doubt he will pass the temperament test. He visited nursing homes to see my uncle when he was a baby, and has grown up with a wheelchair, walker, etc., in the house. He loved children before, and got further saturation from his vacation with the Kimballs – which was one of the reasons he went. Other dogs? Please! The big problem we have at shows and in public is that EVERYONE is his friend and he MUST go visit them!!! Sometimes they don’t care for his “visiting.” Sometimes they growl, or snap, and once a Terv came back with a big hank of white ruff hair in his jaws. Dex’s thoughts on this? “Oh boy, oh boy! That means they MUST want to play with me! Let’s frap!”
Dex has the best temperament I have ever seen, and certainly the best I have ever owned. He is always happy, loves to play, loves everyone. If he thinks there’s even a slight chance of success, he goes belly up for a rub. When we did Meet the Breeds in Cleveland he was in heaven. People would stop to visit him, and kids would sit down to pet him, and he would immediately crawl into their laps, shimmy over onto his back, and go to sleep. His biggest problem with the event was that the parents kept taking his kids away and he lost his bed. We passed out a lot of business cards that day. 😉
The first step is for him to pass a Canine Good Citizen type test:
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Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger [Check!]
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting [The Kimballs must have done something, ’cause he came back knowing how to sit.]
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler’s side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.
Test 3: Appearance and grooming [Built into him as a show dog, so we’re good.]
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner’s care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead) [He does this on his own, good boy!]
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog’s position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler’s movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.
Test 5: Walking through a crowd [He does pretty well with this, isn’t bad enough to worry me. He takes suggestion well.]
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.
Test 6: Sit and down on command and staying in place [Yeah, about that…]
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler’s commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog’s leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler’s commands. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.
Test 7: Coming when called [He could teach Ella a thing or two about this one…]
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to “stay” or “wait” or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.
Test 8: Reaction to another dog [As stated, this needs some work.]
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.
Test 9: Reaction to distraction [No worries.]
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.
Test 10: Supervised separation [So, falling asleep on their feet is alright?]
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, “Would you like me to watch your dog?” and then take hold of the dog’s leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, “there, there, it’s alright”).
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We are in the process of learning #6. What this has taught me is that Dex may not have a bright future in obedience. He’s a sweetie, but he isn’t the swiftest horse in the race. Where as Ella says, “Sit? Done. Stand pretty? There you go. Stay? Not a problem,” Dex kind of stares off into the distance, the sound of the wind blowing in one ear and out the other, then gets up and and wanders off. It took me six months to get him to free stack well. But we’re working every day and will have him up to speed by test day.
I can’t wait! I’ve been hoping for another therapy dog to cross my path – ’cause therapy dogs are born, not made. Dex was born to it.
Hagaren Cardigans 