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.
