By Public Relations Coordinator, on December 10th, 2010
In August of 2010, GAP Dogs made their first field trip out to visit the Krakatoa Ranch. The Krakatoa Ranch is a small hobby farm consisting of 43 acres. It is located out on the eastern plains of Colorado approximately an hours drive from the elementary school in Lakewood where GAP Dogs usually has class.
The owners of the farm had a couple of cows, a small flock of free range chickens, one giant hog, a few sheep, several feral cats and 2 lambs. It was an excellent opportunity for all the dogs to get up close to look at and smell some farm animals. I think some of the kids and adults enjoyed this also.
The day was incredibly hot so we set up some shade for the people and a small swimming pool where all the dogs could take a moment to cool off. Everyone brought a dish for the potluck and I barbecued up a few hamburgers for everyone to enjoy.
I hope GAP Dogs decides to make this trip a part of their yearly schedule not only because it was great fun but because it is the only class where I do not have to drive anywhere. I can just stay home and wait for people and their service dogs to show up! What could possibly be better than that?
By Public Relations Coordinator, on August 7th, 2010
The pedestrian overpass was an interesting field trip. The overpass crosses over Interstate 25 and is located in Denver near Speer Boulevard. The goal of this trip was to increase our dogs confidence while working high above traffic.
As a survivor of a severe traumatic brain injury I honestly did not work on anything other than getting myself across that bridge as quickly as possible before I passed out cold. I am sure the other participants worked on some very valuable skills but the only things I focused on was getting to the other side and not looking over the edge.
Once my feet were firmly planted on the other side and I had a few moments to recover, from intense vertigo, the fun began. As we walked through the streets I began to notice that there were lots of people walking dogs, riding bikes, skate boarding, or just taking a leisurely stroll. It was great exposure for all the dogs but as a small town dweller it was especially good exposure for my service dog.
We continued our outing in a wonderful, dog friendly, store filled floor to ceiling, shelf after shelf with spices. The smells were very strong but all the dogs were extremely well behaved. The handlers may have been drooling over the wonderful aromas but I did not see a single therapy or assistance dog sniff the merchandise or try to take home any of the seasonings. However many of the handlers, including myself, just could not resist the temptation and after several samples purchased a bottle of seasoning to add to their spice racks.
A short walk later and we were back to the dreaded(at least from my perspective) overpass. Upon reaching the other side of the overpass, we continued down the street to a gourmet ice cream shop. The entire group enjoyed their choice of ice cream courtesy of one of our generous therapy dog handlers. The chairs and refreshments were greatly appreciated by all.
All in all, today was a great day! I sure do enjoy the opportunity to spend a few hours with other service dog handlers. I always find these outings are such a great learning experience.
By Public Relations Coordinator, on December 20th, 2010
Sophie is sitting so nicely next to her handler. Great job Sophie! Keep up the excellent work!
I always tell people that every time I am with a service dog I am training. I am either training for good behavior or I am training for the kind of behavior I don’t want. A great example of this statement is actually happening at my house right now. My daughter’s young service dog in training is tethered to my desk. She doesn’t like the fact that she is stuck there because she knows that one of our other service dogs is enjoying a tasty bone down the hall in the laundry room. She has started to whine and bark and with each passing moment she is getting louder and louder.
Now I have two choices, one will help fix her undesirable behavior and the other will cause her behavior to get much worse. The correct choice is to ignore her, don’t talk to her, and don’t look at her until she is quiet. The choice I want to make is to yell at her, to tell her to be quiet because quite frankly she is driving me insane! I will resist this temptation because in the long run it will only make her bark louder and longer the next time. Dogs are kind of like kids. They are looking for attention and they don’t really care whether the attention they get is positive or negative.
Finally Silence!
Since I began working on this post about 5-10 minutes have passed and Talia has just stopped barking. She is lying down on her dog bed next to my desk. Now is the perfect opportunity to teach her how to get the attention she so desperately desires. I take a moment to look over at her and tell her “good girl, good quiet”. I may even walk into the kitchen and get her a small treat if she can maintain her silence for ten minutes or so. Then again, I may not give her anything except praise, but because I resisted the incredible temptation to yell at her, the next time she is tethered to the desk and starts barking it will take a lot less time for her to quiet down.
Waiting by the door to embark on the days journey.
This brings us to our most recent field trip to the Park Meadows Mall. Many of my friends make the mistake of thinking that service dog training starts the minute we get to class or arrive at a field trip destination but that assumption would be incorrect. Depending on how far along the dog is in their training it may start by having them retrieve their leash and vest or it may start by having them stand patiently while I get them dressed. Then we proceed to the next step, getting out the door. All of my dogs are expected to wait patiently at ALL doors and let their human go through the doorway first! Making sure that the human enters the doorway first is incredibly important to the hierarchy of the pack. If I have a dog that is having a hard time with this concept I just shut the door and start over. I will repeat this process as many times as it takes until they “wait” where they are supposed to. Once I cross the threshold I will give them the “okay” to follow me out the door.
Safety first!
The next training opportunity on any outing is the car ride. In my opinion, ALL dogs should lie down or wear a dog seat belt while riding in a vehicle. It is just a matter of safety for both the human and the dog. If you just happened to be involved in a car accident or suddenly needed to slam on your brakes, you and your dog will be much safer if your dog is lying down. I am very opinionated about this particular subject and whenever possible I prefer that my dogs lie behind the front seat of my vehicle on the floor. It really doesn’t take much time to teach a dog this skill. It does take a little patience but most of all, like everything else we teach our dogs, it just takes a lot of consistency. You never know someday the effort you put into this may save a life. In fact it may save your life or the life of your dog.
Tori, patiently awaiting her turn to exit the vehicle.
Upon arriving at our destination my service dog must exit the vehicle appropriately. For my service dog in training this means that he should stay in the vehicle, even with the door open until I tell him that it is “okay” for him to exit. If my dog is having a difficult time understanding that he needs to wait I just go ahead and shut the door and start over. Just like any other door I repeat this as many times as it takes. Again this is more than just good manners, it is also very important to the safety of your service dog.
Duntada giving a perfect example of how service dogs should lie beneath the table whenever possible.
On this particular outing we were all meeting up inside the mall near the entrance to Macy’s. Seven service dogs and their handlers were able to attend. It was a great turn out considering how close it was to the holidays. Our assignment was to walk our service dogs around the mall which gives them the opportunity to work on unusual sights, unusual sounds, and their crowd skills. Our next task was to ride the elevator up to the second floor. We all met up at the food court where we were assigned the task of walking up and down the aisles while our service dogs resisted the temptation to clean up all the food that had been spilled on the floor. Every dog there, including the puppies, must have done an awesome job resisting temptation because I did not see any of the dogs get even one bite. We finished up the day by visiting amongst each other while enjoying a refreshing cold drink.
By Public Relations Coordinator, on July 11th, 2010
Due to a combination of unrelated circumstances our annual trip to the Tattered Cover Bookstore was canceled this year. However since my daughters and their good friend Jacob are avid readers this is absolutely their favorite GAP Dogs destination. So on April 12, 2010 Ricki and I loaded her vehicle with 2 adults, 3 kids, 4 service dogs and headed out to wander through aisles of books.
In case you have never had the opportunity to shop at the Tattered Cover I think I should warn you that this store can be a little bit addictive. First of all it is absolutely humongous. In fact it is so big they have an elevator, stairs and several ramps. When I take my daughters with me we have a spot where we all meet up after we have finished our shopping. If I start feeling like they have been gone too long I have to resist the temptation to go looking for them. I am absolutely convinced that I could spend hours there, going in circles and never find my girls. And last but not least, the addictive part, they have such a wonderful selection of books.
I suppose you are wondering what kinds of skills we practice with our service dogs at a bookstore. Well let me tell you there are plenty. As soon as you walk in the door you have a choice to make. Do you walk down the stairs or take the elevator? Both choices are excellent practice for service dogs. Then there is the opportunity to practice the basic set of skills you use everywhere like no sniffing, no barking, ignoring the other dogs, walking calmly next to their partner and refraining from bothering the other customers. I also find that looking at books in the bookstore or library is the perfect place for the dogs to work on their patience.
So the next time you are planning an adventure to take with your assistance dog consider a visit to your local bookstore or library. You may be surprised by all the things your dog can learn in this type of environment.
By Public Relations Coordinator, on April 29th, 2010
Our field trip to Bass Pro Shop occurred on March 27, 2010. This was a fantastic outing for all the dogs that were able to attend. Of course, there are tons of clothing racks which is always good practice for the dogs but the array of animal statues inside the store is spectacular. Did you know that there are 25 stuffed bears inside Bass Pro Shop?
Real animal hides can be a little scary for dogs because their excellent sense of smell alerts them to the fact that the statues are no longer living . So while we were there we encouraged each of the dogs to to walk up and investigate the statues. This exercise helps to desensitize the dogs to the smell of death and encourages them to trust that their handlers will not put them in harms way. I find that when working with Jasper he is always willing to investigate something new the first time, however, he often hesitates the second time he sees the same thing. Therefore I always try to repeat the same training exercise several times on each outing.
We also had the opportunity to practice walking across two different types of bridges. The first bridge went across running water which caused Jasper to show a small amount of hesitation, but with a little reassurance he walked right over it. The second bridge was on the second floor and allowed the dogs to see below to the floor beneath them. Jasper and I have practiced walking over these types of bridges so many times that he just walks right across them like a pro.
So next time your looking for a great training opportunity for your service dog stop by Bass Pro Shop you won’t be disappointed!
By Public Relations Coordinator, on January 17th, 2010
Today was GAP Dogs annual field trip to the National Western Stock Show. Attending the national Western Stock Show introduces service dogs to all kinds of interesting sights and sounds. Additionally it helps the dogs improve their behavior while working among crowds of people and constant noise.
Seven assistance dogs and their partners were able to participate in this event. We met up at the entrance to the hall of education and proceeded by elevator or stairs to the third floor where the Children’s Ranchland exhibit was located. We worked on “leave it” and “no sniff” while walking through the exhibit allowing the dogs to look at the calves, lambs, piglets, ponies, chickens and rabbits. I think the dogs were most interested in the rabbits and chickens.
We then proceeded to the wildlife exhibit where the dogs were allowed to smell hides from bear, deer, antelope, fox and coyote. We also took them to an area of the exhibit where they were able to see animals that had been stuffed. All in all the dogs did far better than I expected at this exhibit, even Jasper who usually exhibits some fear.
We concluded our trip by walking outside into the yard where the dogs were able to see much larger animals such as full size horses and long horn steer. I think everyone including the dogs thoroughly enjoyed today’s adventure. I know I certainly had a good time and look forward to when we get to do it again next year.
By Public Relations Coordinator, on January 14th, 2010
January
The National Western Stock Show
We will be working on crowds, strange smells and livestock the dogs may not be familiar with. We will not be attending the rodeo.
Home Depot
We will be working on loud sounds, large flatbed carts, falling wood and the sound of aluminum.
February
Colorado Mills Mall
We will be working on public behavior and following commands in a new setting.
Colorado Kennel Club Dog Show
We will be working on ignoring other animals and leaving things alone.
March
Whole foods
We will be working on food distractions, smells and good public behavior.
Bass Pro Shops
We will be working on different floor surfaces, different types of stairs and wild animal distractions.
April
Tattered Cover Bookstore
We will be working on waiting patiently, elevators and stairs.
Sloan’s Lake
We will work on the playground equipment with the dogs. This will help improve their balance and confidence on different surfaces. We will also be exposing the dogs to children and geese distractions.
May
Cherry Creek Mall
We will meet up by the elevators in the middle of the mall. Working on elevators, crowds and open spaces on the second floor.
RTD Light Rail Ride
We will board the train and ride to downtown Denver, where we will get off the train and walk around the 16th street mall. We will then re-board the train for a trip back to the station.
June
Belmar Center
Meet outside at the movie theater. We will be walking around the center. Then we will go to Jamba Juice to finish the class with a drink and work with the dogs on behaving while sitting outside at a table.
Pedestrian Overpass
We will meet at the pedestrian overpass over I-25 near Speer Boulevard. We will be working on confidence while working high above moving traffic.
July
Market Street Station
Meet by the bus stop area. Working on people distractions and the mall shuttle. We will be riding and walking along the 16th street mall.
Heritage Square
We will be working on different floor surfaces. Several of the shops here contain delicate contents.
August
Target
We will be working on proper behavior high while shopping in a department store. We will be working on the “leave it” and “no sniff” commands. There will be no food sniffing or surfing the floor in search of tasty morsels.
Downtown
Meet up at the Market Street Station. We will be working on distraction, riding the shuttle bus in small groups and good behavior.
September
Civic Center Park
Meet up at the Greek Theatre. We will be working control while walking up and down stairs, heavy traffic and crossing busy streets. This trip will also expose the dogs to different ethnicities, clothing patterns, different atmospheres and the homeless population that is living in Denver.
Stevens Elementary Sensory Playground
This is a wheelchair accessible playground and sensory area. We will work on the equipment with the dogs. We will also take advantage of the opportunity to work on distance recalls.
October
Petco
We will be working on the “leave it” command around dog treats, toys and small animals.
Southwest Plaza Mall
We will be working on different flooring surfaces, stairs and riding the glass elevator. We will also work on unobtrusive waiting while enjoying a drink in the food court and the “leave it” command while walking around the food court.
November
Petsmart
During this trip we will work on dog distractions, smells and public behavior. In other words no sniffing the toys, food or treats.
REI
We are going to work on public behavior, stairs and exposed backs of stairs. There is also an area with a glass surface that allows you to see down to the floor below.
December
King Soopers
We will be working on the “leave it” and “no sniff” commands.
Park Meadows Mall
We will be working further on appropriate behavior in public. We will also be riding the escalators.
In August of 2010, GAP Dogs made their first field trip out to visit the Krakatoa Ranch. The Krakatoa Ranch is a small hobby farm consisting of 43 acres. It is located out on the eastern plains of Colorado approximately an hours drive from the elementary school in Lakewood where GAP Dogs usually has class.
The day was incredibly hot so we set up some shade for the people and a small swimming pool where all the dogs could take a moment to cool off. Everyone brought a dish for the potluck and I barbecued up a few hamburgers for everyone to enjoy.
