Today is the first "official" day of training Malcolm as a Service Dog. I know I could have just slapped his vest on him and taken him anywhere with little issue, but for my own anxiety level I had to wait until I had the paperwork in my hot little hand.I have been working on obedience since we got him, building on the basic classes that his former owner had taken him to. The biggest hurdle has been distraction training. His former owner did not get him out into the world a great deal, (which is a big reason he worked so hard to find a good home for Mal) and so everything is SUPER EXCITING for him. I started taking him along as much as possible, dropping off and picking up Jilly from school, to the park, pet stores, etc and it has helped a lot.
In anticipation for being able to take him out in public for training, we have focused on just keeping his attention on me this week and reinforcing his basic obedience in the midst of distraction. I am guessing it will be months before we get into the meat of his specific Service training, but just having him there to focus on along with his natural tendency to know when I'm having a hard time and comfort/distract/redirect me is a huge help. I am planning to take him into Target with me this afternoon to pick up my meds. It will be our first trip into a non-pet store, and our first trip anywhere with his In Training vest on. The crazy thing is, I have a lot of anxiety about working him out in public, most specifically how people will be with him/me.
Hopefully once I break out Public Access cherry I will be more comfortable. Wish us luck!
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