Video: Working on a new skill

Mom sometimes leaves the cordless home phone on the kitchen table, where John can't reach it...if he's already sitting on the couch and comfy, it's hard for him to get up just to get the phone. So Mom said that we need to work on having me retrieve the phone off of the table.

I already know a go-out (to move away from John), and a "Paws" cue (to put front paws up on things) and the retrieve (to pick up the object and return to John holding the object). I also know the word "phone" What John had to do was click me for going to the table and then for putting my feet up and then retrieving. Essentially stringing together things that I already know. The video is from the middle of the training session we had the other day...I hope you enjoy!

Mom says to mention that this is a great illustration of why clicker training is so wonderfully easy for people with disabilities to train their own dogs. John stays put on the couch, and Mom just helps a bit with putting the phone back in place (and she signals me once with her hand to help me).

Video: targeting a door

Here's a nice little video for today...featuring one of our flyball friends, Kodi the poodle. He's working on paw targeting for flyball, but it's just like targeting for shutting a door, for those Service Dogs out there!

His mom is clicking and treating for two paws up on the target (duct tape on the door)...you can see her tossing the treats to him, so he stays in place.



Clicker training is so fun and easy...Kodi's mom can click/treat and handle the camera all at the same time! ;)

Enjoy!
~SDS

Happy New Year!

We went out with friends on New Year's Eve...a first time for us! We went to a pub that had a live band and a breakfast buffet...it was really fun! When we got in there, and the humans were getting their IDs checked, the security guy said..."I assume you got permission already?" All the humans were puzzled, and finally realized that he was talking about ME! :) They assured him that yes, I was a Service Dog and could be in there, and he got a bit embarrassed and said..."well, I didn't know..." We assured him that it was fine...and Mom told him that I didn't have ID to check. (Mom embarrasses ME sometimes!)

We actually scored a table too...amazing since there were ten humans. I love sitting at tables, as I know where to go...and what to do. I'm really good about going "under". I got right under, turned around so I could watch all of the drunk people later in the night and got settled. (like Mom) John was the designated driver for the night...so he got to watch all of the drunk people too.

The band was great...and played OLD music (Mom loved it, she said it was 80's). I mostly napped through the music...and only woke up when some cute girl wanted to pet me (John loves that part of having a Service Dog!). (I put a link to the band up above...just click the header.)

I love going out...and this was no exception! What fun! :)
~SDS

Went to a movie today...

We went and saw Sherlock Holmes today, since we got some gift cards for the movies for Christmas. John wanted to see Avatar, but that was sold out. It's been a while since we've been to the movies...but I was a very good boy. Mom brought me a comfy bed (I got a new one for Christmas!)...and I settled in, after a few pieces of popcorn (what's a movie without popcorn!?!)

I did really like the Kraken monster in the trailer for Clash of the Titans...but then I fell asleep through Sherlock Holmes.

The movie was sold out also, and there was a teenage boy sitting in the row of chairs near the accessible spot. So John pulled in, got me settled, and we asked if he could move, so we could all sit together. He wasn't sure what to do...but once his friends/family all showed up, they very nicely found another set of seats.

After the movie, we went to Starbucks so John could get a hot chai. A woman near the doorway said, "oh, how did the dog like the movie?" John said, "he slept through it...he usually does." She explained that her son was in the movie theater with us, and saw me...and told his mom about me. John was very nice and let the son give me some petting...as they were very polite. I enjoyed the petting! I love saying hi to people!

Now we're home, and I'm crashed on the couch next to John...it was a busy day!

~SDS

Happy Holidays!

We're a little late this year...our Christmas cards got stuck in the mail due to the snow...but here's the photo for the card this year.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season and a wonderful 2009!



(L to R) Inara, Score, Figment (on top), Ripley (on bottom), Xander and me...Sawyer!

Happy Holidays from all of us!
~SDS

After our long winter's nap...

We're GOING OUT!

See, John gets really cold, really easily...so he doesn't like to go out much in the winter. But I get bored at home, and start going stir-crazy. I don't like to go out and run around with the other dogs, unless John is out there. So we both sit on the couch all day not, or lay in bed. Not a bad life, but a dog does get bored.

So Mom is kicking us out today. She said, "There is no snow, the weather is milder, go OUT!" We're going to head to the library and then maybe go wander around Wal-mart or something...somewhere big and warm.

It's been a while (almost a month) since I've worn my cape and vest...of course I'm always working in the house...but I do like to get out and about!

Wish us luck!
~SDS (ready to rumble!)

Opening Secret Santa gifts...

Happy Holidays everyone! Sorry to have been so absent lately...I know I keep saying that. I hope 2009 was a good year for everyone...I know it was for me! John and I did a lot of fun things this past year. :)

I figured you'd all enjoy this little video of me n' John opening a Secret Santa package for me. I love Christmas and getting goodies!