Hello everyone. I wanted to get on here and share a little bit about how things have been going. I wanted to share some things that just have been awesome for us this April.
As some of you may know Rocket is a little Chihuahua that graduated Service Dog training a few years ago. But he has continued to learn and progress. As a service dog never quites learning. In the three and a half years I have owned him he has blossomed into a totally different dog.
In the beginning he would sneak behind his trainer to steal treats but never allow contact. His stubborn little self wouldn’t sit, lie down, or task unless it was his own way. He hated working in his gear and was cautious of strangers. Especially bouncy children. He did good at his job but he had his way of doing it. It was ok after all he is not your “Traditional Service Dog.”
This past month I have been thrilled with his working behavior. My health has twisted and turned all spring. But Rocket has rose to the challenge.
His little clock has discovered my schedule and he will remind me at appropriate times when I need to do things in my routine. Such as pick up my kids from school, or feed him. His body awareness is becoming amazing. And we have rearend awarness to a rear block. He doesnt do much for creating space but he can work in a safe space behind me and alert me to things coming from behind me.
(sometimes it makes it hard to photograph him lol)
One of my favorite things has been his retrieval. Being a small dog picking up and carrying things was not something that came natural or easy. It has now became a game and sometimes he will bring things for the pure desire to please. Be careful where you leave your shoes because if its time to go your shoes are up for grabs.
And last but not least with the life of a service dog going out its makes it inevitable that you will run into some animal. Today in a two block radius by the court house it was two dogs and a squirrel. The first dog was no issue. The handler saw Rocket and made sure his dog was under control and behaving. Thank you to that gentleman. Second was another little dog on a retractable leash coming out if the court house. I’m not even going to talk about my feelings of a pet in a building let alone a government building.
I was able to spot the dog as it was coming out if the building and decided to hope over a small barrier to go around the dog. I just wanted to avoid contact. The little dog saw Rocket and began to pull on its leash barking and trying to reach Rocket.
In the midst of these moments my main concern is Rocket being well mannered and getting to the place we need to be. This is where my happiness with Rocket plays in. A well mannered dog, a dog on a retractable leash barking and last a squirrel in a tree and Rocket maintained his manners. A moment to always cheer in my opinion. All the work pays off.
Not all encounters are with animals that are hard. My favorite encounter this month was At the Fort Missoula Historical Museum. As always I take Rocket with me and he is especially helpful in large crowds where I get the most anxious. The noise over stimulates me. This was important to be able to attend without events such as panic. These are moments I save my energy for to be present with my kids. And Rocket helps that be possible.
While at the Fort listening to a presentation of Lewis And Clark we encountered a beautiful Pitbull Service Dog in training. We were in a narrow space with only a small path for passing. Excited children and loud activity noises. It was a high distration place for both dogs and not much room for them to avoid each other.
So what option do you take?
Two handlers made eye contact and the pitbull handler passed by Rocket with no event. The way it should be. Praise to both dogs.
Its not often you run into a team that is performing so well. ( LETS FACE IT DOGS ARE NOT ROBOTS) but its rare to ever see a team more then once. But that was the day if encounters because we both ended up at McDonalds Children’s play area to top it off. So we decided it was a training oportunity day and went with it. As a reward for both dogs great behavior we did a casual greeting and let them introduce themselves. Success.
Overall as far as Rocket is concerned April has been a fantastic month and I couldnt be prouder then anyone. I can’t imagine life without Rocket. He makes life better and more enjoyable.
Photos of Rocket this month
