Jade Goes To The Fair

We took Jade, loaded up my mobility scooter and headed off to the County Fair last night.  What a great time!

I wondered how Jade would do with all of those people around her, screaming, whistling, eating, walking, running past her, petting her when theyre not supposed to, and her being in the middle of it all.  I wonder no more.  Jade was amazing! She did such a wonderful job that I rewarded her with her own super-long, County Fair hot dog, which she LOVED, and washed down with the bottle of water I snuck in her for.

Jade used to have a thing with loud noises, and my trainer said, "We need her to be bomb-proof." Boy is she ever!  My trainer always had those "loud noise sessions" in training class and I would get so frustrated, because Jade would

get so anxious and worked up, sometimes tucking her tail so far under her belly that I couldnt even find it.  Shed start shaking and press in up against me, and Id have to take her outside to calm her down.  She would get so anxious that she would fail to perform her tasks.  I would get frustrated and discouraged, thinking, "shes never going to get over this." My trainer was great! We continued to have loud noise sessions, and my trainer would be so supportive and say, "Be patient, give her time, shell come out of it." Finally Jade started showing immense improvement, and now, she is becoming the bomb-proof dog that I want and need so badly. I wondered how shed do at the County Fair, but she amazed me once again. 

Jade was a bit stressed as we walked through the entry gate into the fair, and she looked around excitedly at all the people, the carnival rides, and games, with her eyes wide.  Soon after, I could see her face relax, and just because there were so many people, I was afraid shed be stepped on, and children were walking by patting her,  I put her on the scooter to ride with me. She loves that. 

We rode over to the concert area where Ted Nugent was playing, and found a good spot amidst the huge crowd, and Jade got off the scooter and lied down between me and my boyfriend. The music was loud, to say the least, and whenever the band would stop, people would yell and scream and whistle so loudly....Jade wasnt phased. I was pleased. At one point I dropped my phone and Jade got down to pick it up and handed it to me. She was still performing her tasks in the middle of this huge, loud, whistling and screaming crowd! I cant tell you how relieved and thankful that makes me feel! 

We walked around the fair, I rode and Jade rode with me....we stopped and played a couple of games, winning a couple stuffed toys, thanks to my boyfriends dart playing, balloon popping skills, and Jade watched him intently, never afraid.  As much as I hated those "loud noise sessions" in training, I cant thank my trainer enough for turning Jade into the best dog EVER! 

Weve also managed to tackle the defensiveness issue that Jade was having with other dogs.  My trainer invited myself and my field trainer to her class session last week.  We used about 5-6 other dogs to help Jade.  She had been getting over this defensiveness anyway, and last week I do believe we had the huge breakthrough wed been wanting. 

The trainer placed me and Jade inside a fenced pen, she was unleashed and we did some basic check-ins for review.  The other dogs then walked around us, with their handlers, again and again.  They were allowed to sniff Jade through the fence, and Jade sniffed them.  Then she would come back to me, check in and get a tasty treat.  She did great! No snarling, no teeth showing, no growling, no nothing! Jade was just her friendly old Lab self! What a great feeling! 

Then we put her back on lead and walked her around the other dogs, finally putting them all in a down/stay next to each other, while one dog would run past them all (including Jade) chasing a bone.  Jade didnt move a muscle, but just looked at me, with that beautiful smiling face, waiting for her next command.  Everyone cheered for Jade.  I was almost in tears with happiness. 

Then the trainer brought her own dog out, a little Aussie, and we place Jade in a down/stay between the Aussie and the huge Rottie that belongs to my field trainer.  The trainer made her Aussie bark, and get up, bark and growl.  Jade didnt move.  She looked at the dog then back at me, awaiting a command.  I was so happy!!!! The trainer was impressed. 

Afterward, we continued to walk Jade passed and around the Rottie for practice. Jade was so relaxed, and I could hardly believe it! They even bumped hips while passing a few times, and Jade would just keep walking or look up at me for a tasty treat. My field trainer was almost as happy as I was! She really wants Jade to excel, and that is exactly what shes doing.  These trainers are great people! 

I wish I had thought to get some photos. I will next time. 

After we were finished, the trainer pulled me aside and we talked a bit.  She talked to me about the fact that Jades defensiveness with other dogs is really about my fear of her being approached by other dogs.  She explained that the leash is not just a way of keeping your dog close to you, its a way of communicating with your dog.  Everything that I feel is transmitted down to Jade through that leash, as if it were some kind of vein that connects us. I know shes right because the only time I have seen Jade react to other dogs approaching is when I react. When I see another dog approaching her, I usually pull up on the leash, and making it tight, try to pull her away.  I am usually thinking, "Oh my god, not again!"while doing so. This is what causes Jade to react, as the trainer explained.  The trainer said, "This training isnt so much about Jade, its about you....its about getting YOU to relax when another dog is around, or  another dog approaches her....when you tense up, Jade reacts."  The trainer told me to keep practicing, as this will get easier and easier for me as time goes by.  She asked me to come up with a word I can use that will "take me to my happy place and help me relax" when in such a situation.  Sort of an "anchor" word.  Im still working on coming up with something I think might work.

If anyone has a suggestion for a good "anchor word," Im all ears. 

The reason that I tense up when Jade is approached by another dog is quite obvious if youve read my page on our attack story.  Jade was viciously attacked by a pit bull some time back, and I thought it was Jade that hadnt gotten over that, but apparently it has been me. It seems that Jade has let it go, and Im the one who hasnt.  Quite an interesting epiphany.  I will keep working on that, but its hard. If your dog has ever been attacked by another dog, especially a pit bull, you know what I mean.  I want to protect her, and never let her get hurt again, but my paranoia of her being approached by other dogs isnt doing her any favors, although I will NEVER let another pit bull anywhere near her if I can help it.  

Jade is an amazing dog, and never ceases to show me that. I was so proud of her at the fair this weekend, and she knew it.  I continued to praise her and give her a lot of love. I was also amazed at her friendliness with other dogs at training last week.  It appears we are moving past both the loud noise problem and the approaching dog issue, thanks to the wonderful trainers at Handi-dogs, Inc.! 

Jade is becoming a wonderful bomb-proof service dog! 

Jade in her sweater and booties made by me. 

I never imagined youd amaze me the way you do, sweet girl! 

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Jades First Time at the Movie Theater

Tonight my better half and I went to the movies, and for the first time took Jade with us.  Shes never been to the movie theater, and Ive always been weary of bringing her just because the movies are always so loud. Ive always wondered if itd ruin her hearing, or cause her unneeded stress.  Its true that  a Service Dog is allowed to accompany a disabled person WHEREVER that person can go, or decides to go....but a good and smart Service Dog handler considers the situation in which they place their Service Dog.

I wasnt sure if Jade was ready, but again, she amazed me, as usual.  She was just as calm and relaxed as could be, as she always is when on the job. I brought her a small blanket that Id crocheted a long time ago to help her feel more comfortable. Its the same blanket I keep on her bed.

We entered the mall where the theater is located and Jades been in there several times in the past.  Nothing unusual, but it was fairly packed; which was odd for a Monday evening.  We found out why when we arrived to see some people dressed in costume as Star Trekies. Jades used to being in large crowds and that doesnt phase her at all. Once we bought our tickets, we headed for the elevator, because as Ive stated on my blog many times, the one thing you should NEVER do as a SD handler is to take your dog on an escalator.  Its way too dangerous for your dog, but some handlers are less inclined to consider their dogs safety.  Jade is great with elevators....never had a problem.  The first time she got on an elevator was at the mall, and it was as though shed ridden in them her whole life.

Jade at 11 weeks

So we arrived on the top floor to get our popcorn and drinks, and Jade waiting patiently in line with us, doing a "front."  This is where she moves to the front position, in front of me, sideways, parallel to the service counter, and sits and waits patiently.  Once we had our goodies, we headed to the theater, and I thought, this is where she could get a bit stressed since this is totally new to her.  Its not like the old days anymore, where the lights are on in the theater and its very bright until the previews start and the lights dim; the theater is already dark upon entry. Without hesitation, so as not to make Jade think something was wrong, we entered the theater and found the handicap seating toward the front. I squatted down to avoid getting in peoples way, and spread the little blanket next to my seat for her.  Jade got right on the blanket and did a perfect down/stay.  For a little while, she watched the big screen intently, with her ears up and alert, turning her head from side to side.  It was as if she was watching the movie, but Im certain she was trying to ascertain whether the people on the screen were real or inside that screen-like thing, like the one we have at home, only smaller.  :)  I watched her out of the corner of my eye for a while looking for any signs of stress, but then she lay her head between her front paws and began to doze a bit.  She stayed right there until the movie was over!

What an amazing dog! I swear this dog NEVER ceases to amaze me.  She makes me proud!

The one very NOT new experience we had was all the folks at the theater staring at us as we entered the building, waited in line, entered the theater, exited the theater, etc.  I really dont like people staring at us, but I suppose its to be expected.  People dont usually see service dogs every day, although I wish they did.  I wish there were more of them out and about.  Theres always at least one small child that says something like, "Look mommy, theres a dog!" or "Hey that lady has a dog!"  Cant get anything passed the children, especially a dog! :)

Jade hanging out with buddies

What I  absolutely get tired of and find absolutely RUDE and DISRESPECTFUL are those people who say things like "Whats wrong with you?"  or "Why do you need a dog, youre not blind?!" or "What are you training her for?" and the most annoying one...."Isnt it hard to give them away once you have them trained?!"

I really dont mind people asking questions, inquiring about her training, her breed or making conversation about service dogs, etc.  I dont even mind when people stop to tell me about their Uncles friends service dog, etc. as long as Im not in a rush, and Im MORE than willing to take a moment to help educate others on the value of service dogs and such, or even to let someone pet her, especially children...that is, IF THEY ASK!

In summary, it was the very first time Jade attended the movies with me, and she was masterful! It was as though shed been doing this her whole life.  You amaze me, Jade! Youre the BEST DOG in the world!

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